Surname Hovey - Meaning and Origin
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Hovey: What does the surname Hovey mean?
The last name Hovey is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have been derived from the Old English personal name Hufe or Hufa. The first recorded use of Hovey as a surname dates back to the 13th century in Suffolk, England. The name Hufa is thought to mean "mind" or "heart." Thus, the surname Hovey could translate to “descendant of Hufa” or “one who is mind-hearted.” Additionally, it's worth noting that most surnames were often associated with occupation, location, or personal characteristic. Like many surnames, the exact meaning of Hovey may have evolved or slightly altered over centuries and regions. Historically, it has been popular in England and has since spread to other parts of the world with English influence, such as the United States and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisHovey: Where does the name Hovey come from?
The surname Hovey is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derived from a family that lived in either the settlement of Hove in Sussex or in the place named Hoo in Kent. The surname comes from the Old English word "hoh", which roughly translates to "spur of a hill". This surname is traditionally associated with the English, indicating a family that lived near a hill or a spur.
Today, the surname Hovey is quite uncommon, making it difficult to determine where it is most prevalent. However, due to historical migration patterns, particularly during the era of British colonialism, the surname can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The largest portion of people with the Hovey surname are found in the United States. The surname Hovey might also still be significantly present in the United Kingdom, where it originated.
Variations of the surname Hovey
The surname Hovey originates from ancient Anglo-Saxon England. It comes from the ancient personal name "Hugubert", formed from the elements "hug", meaning heart or mind, and "beorht", meaning bright or famous.
Different variants and spelling of the Hovey surname have emerged over centuries due to a lack of consistency in spelling rules in early centuries. Thus Hovey can also be found as Hovie, Hovy and Hove.
The surname Hovey can also be found combined with other prefixes or suffixes, producing surnames such as Hoveyson and Hoveyman.
Another common variant of Hovey is Howey, which attributes to the regional accents and dialects. It is important to mention that spellings of this surname may differ based on the country and specific regional dialects.
A similar surname of the same origin is Hubert. Some other Anglo-Saxon surnames that have elements in common with Hovey include Hues, Hughes, Hughs, Huge, Hugo, and Hogg.
Please note that while these surnames have similar elements or origins, they are not necessarily related or interchangeable with Hovey. Each surname has its unique origin and family history.
Famous people with the name Hovey
- Samuel Hovey: celebrated American silversmith active in New England from 1720 to 1780.
- Ruth Hovey: first female mayor of the city of Davenport, Iowa
- Martin Hovey: 19th century Methodism leader and pastor
- Sheldon Hovey: American film actor active from the 1930s through early 1950s
- Charles Hovey: American botanist and horticulturist
- Jack Hovey: American Major League Baseball player in the 1920s
- Guy Hovey: American actor, best known for his title role in the 1938 film 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'
- Laura Hovey: American editor, novelist, and playwright
- Peter Hovey: noted American garden designer and horticulturist
- Noel Hovey: American film director and actor, active primarily in the silent film era