Surname Caves - Meaning and Origin
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Caves: What does the surname Caves mean?
The surname Caves is of English origin and it is derived from the occupation or terrain where one's ancestors might have lived or worked. The name is derived from the medieval English word "cave", meaning a cave, and it could have been given to someone who lived in or near a cave. In some cases, it may have been used to describe someone who worked in a storage cellar or an underground chamber, which were also referred to as caves in Old English. The surname Caves can therefore be categorized as a topographic surname, relating to a person's residence, or an occupational surname, referring to the job or profession of one's ancestors. Like many surnames, over the centuries, various spelling versions might have evolved depending on regional dialects and phonetics.
Order DNA origin analysisCaves: Where does the name Caves come from?
The surname Caves is of Anglo-Saxon origin and primarily associated with England. It emerged from a family living in or near a cave, as it is derived from the Old English term "caf", meaning a cave. This name would have belonged to individuals residing close to a prominent cave or a region known for its caves.
The first recorded spelling of the family name was found in 1191 as "de la Cave" in the "Norfolk Pipe Rolls." Later appearances of the name include Robert in la Cave in London in 1275 and Lemar de Cave in Essex in 1295, which were recorded in "The Hundred Rolls of England."
In recent years, the last name Caves is most common in the United States and the United Kingdom, as per surname distribution data. It is particularly prevalent in Midwestern states in the US, such as Illinois and Missouri, and English counties such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. Even with these concentrations, it still remains a relatively rare surname worldwide.
Variations of the surname Caves
The surname Caves can be derivable from various origins. It could be topographical, for someone who lived in or near a cave, from Old English 'cav(e)' meaning cave. That's why it can have different spellings and variations based on regional accents and transliterations.
Variants of the surname Caves could include Cave, Kaves, Caveson, Caverson, Caver, Caeve, and Caeves. There may also be forms such as Cav, Cavas, Cavus, and Cavo could exist in non-English speaking countries.
Spellings can also change over time due to phonetic transcription like Caevas, Cavies or Kaves. Also, adding 's' at the end to connote possession or pluralization (e.g. Caves') was common.
As a surname, Caves can also be a patronymic or a metronymic. For instance, variants like Cavesson or Cavson might point to "son of Cave".
There are also potential surnames of the same origin, typically those denoting dwellings or locations, like Hill, Dale, Forest or Fields.
Keep in mind, the aforementioned names are speculative and they can vary greatly based on a multitude of factors including geographical location, historical events, and personal or family preference.
Famous people with the name Caves
- Phil Cave: an English entertainment lawyer, best known for being a founding partner at The entertainment, media, and sport law firm, Sheridans.
- Josephine Caves: a British actress, best known for starring in the beloved English television series' Coronation Street, Lark Rise to Candleford, and EastEnders.
- Steve Caves: an American rock singer, best known as being the lead singer of the indie rock band Panic! at the Disco.
- Harry Caves: an Australian singer and musician, best known as being a founding member of the iconic Australian folk-rock band Redgum.
- Stephen Caves: an American actor, best known for his recurring roles on TV shows like Dexter, The Mentalist, and Californication.
- John Caves: an American guitarist, best known as being one of the founding members of the post-punk band Gang of Four.
- Kensington Caves: a British actor, best known for starring in the drama series' Downton Abbey and Foyle's War.
- Vinnie Caves: an American actor, best known for starring in the films Face/Off, Armageddon, and August Rush.
- Stephen Caves: an British actor and producer, best known for his work on the films The Descent and Wilhelm.
- Cherry Caves: an Canadian singer-songwriter and musician, best known for her critically acclaimed 2016 album The Light.