Surname Gover - Meaning and Origin

Gover: What does the surname Gover mean?

The last name Gover is an English surname derived from a dialectal variation of the Old English name Godwine. The name likely originates from the Old English personal name Godwine, which itself consists of the elements god (“God”) and wine (“friend”). The use of the surname likely originated from a person who had a close relationship with God or was a descendent of Godwine or someone else associated with him.

As an occupational or descriptive surname associated with the Middle English verb, gouen ("to govern”), it might also be derived from someone who was appointed to a position of authority or simply held a leadership position. Alternatively, it might be a nickname for someone thought to be wise and prudent. Over time, this particular meaning has been reinforced by the fact that the name Gover is also sometimes spelled with the French-style Govier, with the verb govern indicating the same meaning.

The Swedish version of this name - Göver - is less common.

Gover is still a fairly common surname in Britain, but is also found occasionally in the US. In England, the name is most common in the areas of South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. Additionally, the name can be found spread across America, particularly on the West Coast, in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.

Gover: Where does the name Gover come from?

The surname Gover is a patronymic name - meaning it originates from a given name of the father of the original bearer. It is derived from the Old English word "Gafere", which translates to "governor".

Today, the surname Gover is most commonly found in England, where it has been in continuous use since at least the 13th century. It is particularly concentrated in Cornwall, Devon, Surrey and Hampshire. While it is not as widespread or commonly found across England as other surnames, it is still relatively well represented.

Outside of England, there are family members with the Gover surname found in other countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America. The influx of immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries has seen the Gover name spread to other countries. The surname in these countries is most noticeably found in American states such as Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.

The surname Gover is, in general, classified as an uncommon or rare name. It is possible that a combination of factors such as immigration, relocation and a large population of English emigrants has caused a spread of the surname. Despite this, its true origin is still traceable to the areas of Devon and Cornwall and it is still a relatively rare surname.

Variations of the surname Gover

The surname Gover is of English origin, derived from an Anglo-Saxon personal name Gaufer, which means "triumphant spear". Variants of this surname include Gower, Govere, Govar, Govers, Goffar, Gouver, Gouverneur, Gouverneaux, Gouvier, Gouvieux, Gouverne, Gouverneur, as well as other forms such as Gouvarez, Gouvernez, Gouverneau.

Gower is the most common spelling of the surname today. Originally used to refer to people from Gower in West Wales, the name Gover is also derived from the Old French "gouverner", meaning to rule or govern.

In the United States, Gover is most commonly found in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Although the spelling variants of Gover may be found more predominantly in other states.

In Scotland, the variant spelling Gouvieux is more common and is used by some families who have resided in Scotland for centuries.

Other surnames derived from Gover include Gober, Gove, Govenor, and Govans. In addition, the surname has been modified to include double letters or hyphenation, such as Gove-Gover, Gover in-Gover, and Governee-Gover.

Regardless of the spelling, Gover is a widely used surname and has many unique variations. It is a great example of how surnames evolved over time, and how their meaning changed along the way.

Famous people with the name Gover

• Jerry Lee Gover, former President of the University of Arkansas System.
• Carrie Gover, former professional golfer on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour.
• Gale Gover, American sculptor who works mostly in bronze and metal.
• Barry Gover, an American Jazz guitarist, composer, educator, and Steinway Artist.
• Brad Gover, an Australian actor, best known for his portrayal of Michael Sullivan in the ABC drama series SeaChange.
• Terry Gover, an American painter, illustrator, and comic book artist.
• Bruce Gover, a British composer, musician, producer and record label executive.
• John Gover, an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League.
• Claire Gover, a British television, theatre and film actress.
• David Gover, a New Zealand actor, best known for having played Captain Fred Randall in Silent Witness.
• Mike Gover, an English sports journalist and reporter.
• Doctural Gover, a Navajo traditional healer known for his touring lectures and medicine shows.
• Bill Gover, an American archer and Olympic competitor.
• T.M. Gover, a Canadian football player for the BC Lions.
• Arnold Gover, a Holocaust survivor, author, and public speaker.

Other surnames

GövertGoverts