Surname Bivens - Meaning and Origin

An Illuminating Dive into the Origins of Surname Bivens through the Lens of iGENEA DNA Test

Utilizing the advanced iGENEA DNA test, I embarked on an exploration into my ancestral roots, particularly the history of my surname, Bivens. These intricate tests shed light on a Celtic inheritance and traced the lineage back to pre-Roman times, providing a fascinating dive into the heritage associated with Bivens.

J. Bivens

Bivens: What does the surname Bivens mean?

The last name Bivens is of English origin and is derived from the Middle English name Bivin or Bevin. The modern English form of the name is Bivins. It is believed to be derived from an Old French personal name, Biven, which was derived from the Old French word bive, meaning "a beaver".

The original form of the name was often recorded as Biven, Befen, Bevin and Bivin. Surnames derived from nicknames were very popular in Medieval England, and Biven would have been used as a diminutive form of the nickname Biver (from bive), which was commonly given to someone with beaver-like characteristics, such as industriousness or determination.

The name is found in records dating back to the 13th century in England, where the first recorded reference is to William Biven of Oxfordshire in 1221. The name is also found in Scotland and Ireland, where variants such as Bivens, Bivenes and Baves have been used.

The name Bivens is typically associated with a strong work ethic and strong community spirit. People with the surname are often described as being independent, determined, loyal and outgoing. This is testament to the origin of the name, and the nickname which it derived from.

Bivens: Where does the name Bivens come from?

Today the surname BIVENS is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the South and Midwest regions. The majority of its occurrences can be found in Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. This range may have been even wider before the Civil War as slaves bearing the surname Biven or Bivens were found in states like Louisiana, Maryland, and South Carolina.

The surname BIVENS dates back to Scotland, where it is found spelled Bivins or Bivens. Those with the name arrived in America in the mid-1700s and began to spread across the frontier. Most remained in the Southern states, but there was also some migration to the Midwest.

The surname BIVENS is also found in Canada, Australia, Ireland, England, Wales, and other parts of Europe, although not as common as in the United States.

The origin of the surname is most likely derived from the Old English word "bieffe" meaning "lively," or the Celtic "bour" meaning "the man whose stockings and breeches were patched and mended." This would have been an appropriate name for those with limited means who had to scrounge or scavenge to survive. It could also simply be a variation of the name Bevan, a popular Welsh surname.

Today, those named BIVENS continue to spread across the country and live in various places. They are a testament to the resilience of those who migrated to the New World in search of a better life.

Variations of the surname Bivens

The surname Bivens is of English origin and is derived from the patronymic form of the personal name Biven (or Beaven). Variants of the surname consist of Bivan, Bivin, Bevan, Beven, Beaven, Bevens and Bievens, while alternative spellings are Bivens, Beavons, Beavans, Bevans and Bevins.

The Biven family was established in the English counties of Monmouth and Cornwall. Records of the Bedfordshire parish registers include the christening of Thomas Biven in 1590 and the marriage of Robert Beaven and Ann Coate in 1593. In Scotland, Bivens first appeared in the parish of Dunkled in the county of Aberduer, and the christening of George Bevans took place in Edinburgh in 1662.

The earliest American record of the Bivens family dates back to 1650, when William Bivens arrived in Maryland and settled in Charles and St. Mary’s counties. Thomas Bivens arrived in Maryland in 1669 and Robert Bivens arrived in Virginia in 1680. In more recent times, John Rupert Bivens, born in Georgia in 1920, served for 36 years in the US Navy.

Bivens is one of the most common surnames in the United States today, with over 28,000 people bearing the name. It is also widespread throughout other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Famous people with the name Bivens

• Esmé Bivem: Esmé is a Canadian film, television and voice actor best known for playing the roles of Madison in Total Drama Island and Zoey in Total Drama: Revenge of the Island.
• Chuck Bivens: Chuck is an American former football coach and quarterback for the University of South Carolina, the University of Alabama, and several other teams.
• Timothy Bivens: Timothy is a former professional basketball player having played for the Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, and other teams in the NBA.
• Don Bivens: Don is an American political strategist who served as the Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party from 2005 to 2010.
• David Bivens: David is an American Emmy award-winning cinematographer and photographer best known for his work on The Daily Show and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
• Victoria Bivens: Victoria is an American designer best known for her clothing line for that focuses on sustainable female fashion.
• Blair Bivens: Blair is a British-born, Canadian-raised fashion designer working in the luxury menswear market, having collaborated for Paul Smith, Burberry and other notable brands.
• William Bivens: William is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who co-founded Steel Partners, a New York City-based private investment firm.
• Roger Bivens: Roger is a retired American swimmer who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.
• Joris Bivens: Joris is a Belgian musician and record producer best known for having his music featured in national television commercials.

Other surnames

Biven