Surname Givan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Givan: What does the surname Givan mean?
The surname Givan is of Scottish origin. It is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic word "gobha" which means "smith", indicating that the ancestors of the Givan family possibly worked as blacksmiths, an essential occupation in feudal times. Therefore, this surname falls into the category of occupational surnames that are based on the primary activity or profession of the initial bearer. The Gaelic form of the surname is "Mac Gobhann" which translates to "son of the smith". Over the years, the pronunciation and spelling evolved into its current form - Givan. Hence, this surname over time would have signified someone who either was a smith, worked for a smith or was a descendant of one. The name has variants including Gibbons, Gobban, and McGowan.
Order DNA origin analysisGivan: Where does the name Givan come from?
The surname Givan is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Ghille Fhinneain," meaning "son of the servant of St. Finnan." It was first found in Lanarkshire, a former county in the central lowlands of Scotland, where the Givan family was a prominent contributor to the development of the district.
In the modern era, due to the global spread of Scottish emigrants and descendants in various countries, it's hard to identify a specific area where the Givan last name is most common. Notably, you can find people with this surname in places like the United States, Canada, and in parts of Europe. However, it’s still highly probable that a good number of people bearing the Givan surname can be found in Scotland and the United Kingdom due to its geographically historical roots. In general, the surname is less common compared to other Scottish last names, making it less distributed globally.
Variations of the surname Givan
The surname Givan is of Irish origin and it can be found in various forms due to regional variations, pronunciation, and phonetic spelling. Some different variants and spellings include Givens, Given, Giffin, Giffen, Givin, and Givans.
There might also be other more anglicized or altered versions of the surname based on the geographical location and cultural assimilation of individuals carrying the surname. The surname McGivan or MacGivan can also be related as the prefix Mac means "son of" in Irish and Scottish, suggesting a familial connection to Givan.
In certain instances, the surname can be interchanged with its many phonetic equivalents such as Jiven, Jivenes, Jevin, and similarly sounding names.
Surname origins could also be traced from its original Gaelic form, which is Mac Dhuibhin, anglicized and transformed over time to its present versions.
A study of the genealogy and family history of individuals with the surname Givan and its many forms would provide more comprehensive and specific information.
Famous people with the name Givan
- Paul Givan: A well-known politician from Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party and was appointed the First Minister of Northern Ireland in June 2021.
- Lathan Givan: Renowned basketball player who has played in multiple leagues overseas and is known for his skills and sportsmanship.
- Deborah Givan: An esteemed professor of Labor Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, recognized for her significant scholarly contributions.
- Paddy Givan: He was a professional footballer who played for several clubs in Northern Ireland in the 1980s. Please note that while these individuals carry the last name Givan and have achieved recognition in their respective fields, they may not all possess "celebrity" status.