Surname Chivers - Meaning and Origin
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Chivers: What does the surname Chivers mean?
The last name Chivers originates from English and refers to someone that lived close to a river or stream, as 'chivers' is derived from the Old English word 'ciffer', meaning a 'creek'.
Chivers can also be an occupational last name, with some variations of the spelling, such as Chowen, Chovan, and Chovin, originating from the Middle English word 'chAWen' or Old French 'chauve', meaning 'bald'. This was probably used to describe a barber, as in the past barbers were responsible for cutting hair as well as performing medical procedures such as surgery or bloodletting.
The Chivers name therefore is most likely to originate from either the geographic or occupational source. People with the Chivers surname can be found throughout the world, likely to have started emigrating from England centuries ago for greater opportunities abroad.
The Chivers name has stayed with people, growing in popularity and recognition and is now one of more commonly found English surnames. The name is often associated with loyalty and pride, as those with the Chivers name are often proud to own it due to the legacy it leaves behind.
Order DNA origin analysisChivers: Where does the name Chivers come from?
The last name Chivers is most commonly found in British English speaking countries, particularly in England and Wales. The surname is derived from a habitation or topographical name, meaning a person from an area called Cheverell or Chiverell in Wiltshire or Somerset, or from Chilver or Chivere in Oxfordshire and Midlothian, respectively.
The surname Chivers appears mainly in documents related to the regions of England and Wales. In 1891, the name was registered in at least fifteen English counties, mainly in the Southern region. As far as Wales is concerned, the name appeared mostly in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. The name also appears in the records of Scotland in the 1500s.
The classical 'Nicknames' surname distribution map of Great Britain shows that the name Chivers is quite well spread over the different regions. The West Midlands, East Anglia and South East England are the regions with the highest concentrations of the name. Also, there is a slightly lower population in the counties in Devon, Cornwall and the Central Midlands, and in East, North and South West parts of England.
Today, the Chivers surname is still strong and common in the British Isles, although not as popular as it once was. It remains particularly strong in the South West of England, and continues to spread further across the globe as people with family names of Chivers seek their fortunes in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Chivers
The surname Chivers, which originates from England, has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variations found in English records are Chiver, Chiveres, Chyver, Chyvres, Chiverns, Chyers, Chyvenge, Chivance, Chevyrs, and Chyves. It is also found in some French records as Cheviers, Chiviers, Cheviers, Cheveres, Chevrir, Chivir, Chiver, Chevre, Chevrier, and Chevrier.
The source of the surname is believed to be derived from an occupational name meaning "chivoner" or "seller of cheese" (from Old English “ciefer”), or alternatively a personal name derived from "Cifri" or “Cifres” (from Old English "cyfre").
The modern Chivers family whose surname is believed to have descended from the Anglo-Saxon and French origins have numerous other surname variants including Chevase, Chivvers, Chiverton, Chiverall, Chivrall, Chivrell, Chevraux, Chevrell, Chevrier, Chevrals, Chivral, Chivralle, Chivell, Chivelle, Chevrolles, Chiveard, Chivard, Chivarde, Chevret, Chevretton, Chevrly, Chivory, Chavhers, Chivasse, Chafers, Chivase, Chevvis, Chevins, Chivis, Chevies, Chivry, Chives, and Chiverlez.
These different variants help historians to reach back many centuries to find information about an individual’s family history, as well as helping to identify individuals with the same surname who are related. Furthermore, different spellings of the surname can help to determine where an individual’s ancestors may have come from, and how common the surname is in certain parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Chivers
- Tom Chivers: British science journalist and author
- Francis Chivers: Artist who worked at Stanwell Pottery
- Charles Chivers: English actor
- Darren Chivers: Former professional footballer who played for Watford
- Nic Chivers: British television personality who appeared on The Only Way Is Essex
- Bill Chivers: Former vice chairman of Lloyd's of London
- Chris Chivers: Former professional golfer on the European tour
- John Chivers: British author of several books on US politics
- Martha Chivers: Canadian actress best known for playing Ella Petite on Corner Gas
- Simon Chivers: Anglican Bishop and author of several books on religious themes