It was named after the Revillon Freres Trading Company originally founded in 1723 in France. The firm's name dates from 1806 when Louis Victor Revillon assumed control; he was the son of Count Louis Victor d'Apreval who at the time of the French Revolution changed his name to Louis Victor Revillon and bought a farm, which he worked himself. It is said that when on a visit to Paris he witnessed the sale of his former estates. The company grew and ultimately became one of the world's leading fur trade companies. It commenced operations in Edmonton in 1899 and with the city as a base established fur trading posts throughout northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories and conducted trading there for a number of years. In 1936 the Hudson's Bay Company bought its Canadian operation. Holmgren, 1976.

Flows north-west into Peace River approximately 235 km north of Fort McMurray.