Surname Havern - Meaning and Origin
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Havern: What does the surname Havern mean?
The last name Havern is a historically common English and Irish surname. The origin of the surname is uncertain, but there are several possible explanations. It is possible that the name originated from the Old English words "haferne" meaning "a river bend" or "haven," or alternatively, the Old Norse word "hafnir" meaning "harbour." It is also possible that the surname is derived from an Old French word "havre," also meaning "harbour." This could indicate a geographic origin, suggesting that the original bearers of the name originally lived near a harbour. It is also possible that it is of patronymic origin, that is, from a family association with the given name Havern which dates back to the 11th century.
The surname is geographically widespread and in modern times can still be found in many parts of Britain. In the 2019 UK census, the last name was the 4,519th most common in England and Wales, and the 4,768th most common in Scotland. It is a name that has both stood the test of time and spread across the world, suggesting its original bearers were once people of influence and perhaps great respect.
Order DNA origin analysisHavern: Where does the name Havern come from?
The last name Havern is most commonly found in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, there are currently around 730 individuals with the Havern last name living in the US, with the highest concentration in Pennsylvania.
In Pennsylvania, there are around 120 individuals with the Havern last name, most of whom live in the western part of the state. This could mean that the family originally immigrated to the USA from Germany, as this location is an area known to have had large numbers of German immigrants early in the 19th century.
The Havern name can also be found in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana and Illinois. While numbers are small in these states, they are where the majority of Haverns in the US can be found.
In addition, the Havern name can be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and even Australia. However, numbers are quite small in these countries and the majority of individuals with the Havern last name still reside in the United States.
In summary, the Havern last name is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, and more recently, in the Midwest states. It is also found in small numbers in other countries throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Havern
The surname Havern is derived from the Old English 'hafen', meaning 'a port or sheltered place'. Variants, spellings, and alternate surnames of the same origin include Haveren, Havrain, Havert, Haverton, Harven, Harveyn, Haverane, Hevrains, Havrens and Harbor.
The modern variants of the surname Havern emerged in central England during the Middle Ages. Along with a few other related surnames, such as Havens and Havener, this surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is thought to be a topographical byname which possibly referred to a settlement near a port. This type of surname was typically given to someone who resided near a port or bay.
The surname Haveren is a variant of Havern, and emerged in Northern England during the 12th century. This spelling replaced the earlier form of Havern during the Middle Ages, and its usage is recorded in documents in Staffordshire and Lincolnshire in 1273-4.
The spelling Havrain is recorded in Scotland in the 13th century. This variant is the Scottish variation of Havern, and it is thought to be derived from the district of Helme in Lockerbie in Dumfries. In the 16th century, the spelling Haverton was used in Scotland to refer to people from the town of Haverton near Edinburgh.
Harven, Harveyn, and Haverane are spellings that are associated with Wales, where they were used during the 17th century in Monmouthshire. In contrast, the spellings Hevrains and Havrens are more strongly associated with southeastern England, specifically Sussex, Kent and Wiltshire. The spelling Harbor appears to be more recent, and is likely derived from the Americanized version of the surname.
Famous people with the name Havern
- Christopher Havern: American actor and game show host, best known for hosting Chuck Woolery's Lucky Numbers
- Rusty Havern: American football player, wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns from 1960 to 1968
- Tim Havern: American actor, best known for his roles in the films The Skeptic, Transamerica, and The Notebook
- Tonya Havern: American actress, best known for her role as Lauren in the TV series The OC
- Quincy Havern: Professional American imprint athlete, holds multiple records in his sport
- Barb Havern: Irish singer-songwriter, whose debut album, Young & Reckless, achieved Gold certification
- Don Havern: Canadian politician, Mayor of Edmonton from 1995 to 2001
- Bobby Havern: English professional darts player, known for his aggressive style of play
- Jeff Havern: American artist, best known for his abstract and minimalist paintings
- Steve Havern: British physicist and researcher, best known for his work in particle physics