Surname Heavens - Meaning and Origin

Heavens: What does the surname Heavens mean?

The last name Heavens is an English topographic surname which derives from an Old English pre-7th century word for a residence on elevated ground. It was used to denote those who lived on a hill or at the top of a steep slope. The name could have also derived from an old jurisdiction of the same name.

Historically, the surname can be traced back to the pre-11th century, where it is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Hevne and Hevene. This is recorded during the reign of King William 1st, known as 'The Conqueror', 1066 - 1087.

Those with the surname Heavens tend to be of English ancestry. It has been suggested that those with the surname today could have originated from Scotland, however concrete evidence is yet to be found.

Today, the surname Heavens is fairly uncommon, with the name taking a more pronounced presence in the US than anywhere else. Those with the surname tend to be found in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, although other countries, including Australia and New Zealand, also have some individuals with the Heavens surname.

The Heavens surname often appears in the historical records of family histories. Some notable people with the surname include American swimmer, Meaghan Reese Heavens, and the Australian long-distance runner, John Heavens.

Heavens: Where does the name Heavens come from?

The last name Heavens is most prevalent in North America, especially in English-speaking countries. In the United States, it is a top 1000 surname according to the U.S. Census. It is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. According to White Pages, the name is also found in Canada.

In the United Kingdom, Heavens is not as common, but is still found in several parts of the country. According to the UK Census, Heavens is a top 500 surname in the city of Edinburgh in Scotland, and is also common in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Suffolk, and Derbyshire.

On the continent, Heavens is found in several parts of Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. There are also a few Heavens families who trace their ancestry to France and Italy.

Internationally, Heavens is also found in Australia, India, Jamaica, and South Africa, among other countries.

Overall, the last name Heavens is quite common today, and can be found in many countries on five continents.

Variations of the surname Heavens

The surname Heavens is derived from various sources and thus, has multiple spellings and variants. The various variants of this surname can be found in both English and French languages and include Heaven, Heavens, Heavin, Heavins, Heavinne, le Hevin, le Heaven, le Hévin, le Héven, le Hévinne.

The surname Heavens can also be traced back to origins in France, and was derived from the Old French word 'hevin' which means 'seller of hemp'. When used as a name, it could also have been derived from the name of a place, such as a farm, or from the name of a topographical feature.

In England, Heavens has also had various spellings and forms over the years including Heavyn, Hevyn, Hevin, and Haeven. In Germany and Switzerland, Heavens was also an adopted surname and was spelled Heben, Hebn, and Henn.

The variants of Heavens are sometimes interchanged with other surnames that are of similar origins, such as Levene, Evens, Evenes, Levin, and Levins. Other variants of the same surname include Haeven (Netherlands, Finland), Heben (Germany, Switzerland), Hebyn (Poland), and Hevin (France).

In conclusion, the surname Heavens has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames that originate from various countries and cultures. Although the origins and spellings may be slightly different from one another, they all trace their origins back to the same root - the Old French word hevin.

Famous people with the name Heavens

• Peter Heavens: British freelance journalist who writes for The Guardian and Bloomberg.
• John Heavens: British actor known for roles in The Bill, Space 1999, and The Devils.
• Charlotte Heavens: British contemporary artist whose works explore states of being and transcendence.
• Hudson Heavens: Australian Professional surfer, best known for his success in the World Surf League.
• Valerie Heavens: American folk singer known for her classic 1970s album “It Ain’t What It Used To Be”.
• Barry Heavens: British entrepreneur and author, best known for his books on management and corporate success.
• Chrystelle Heavens: French fashion designer best known for her collaborations with top international brands.
• Sadie Heavens: Canadian country music star and winner of the Academy of Country Music’s Female Vocalist of the Year award in 2019.
• Rob Heavens: American film director and producer behind hits like The Hacker, The Great Escape, and Flesh and Bones.
• Henry Heavens: British sculptor and abstract artist living in London, England.

Other surnames

HeavenHeavey