Surname Nave - Meaning and Origin
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Nave: What does the surname Nave mean?
The last name Nave is derived from the Middle English word “naffe” which itself was derived from the Old French “nave” meaning “ship” or “boat”. Throughout much of Europe, the name was given to individuals whose occupations revolved around the water in some way, such as a sailor or fisherman. In some cases, it may even have been bestowed upon those who lived near the sea or a river. The surname is especially ubiquitous in the northern parts of England, particularly in the county of Yorkshire.
It is possible that the name's span beyond the sea and given to people who found some kind of refuge in boats or ships. In Scotland, the name signifies an area that was historically inhabited by Danes, a group of people known for being fierce warriors who also traded heavily. This could point to the fact that the Nave name may have been used to indicate a trading family.
Families with this last name have also been found in France and other parts of the world. Interestingly, some members of this family migrated to the United States in the late 1600s and settled mainly in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Of course, just like other immigrants coming to the states, many changed the spelling of their name when they arrived to better suit the pronunciation of the American English tongue.
In today's world, the last name Nave stands for an individual or a family with an interesting background, connected to water and trade but also bravery and strength. Someone who has the Nave surname can be proud of his/her family’s heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisNave: Where does the name Nave come from?
The surname Nave can be found in many countries around the world today including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, France, Canada, and Australia. It is also found in many places in Latin America.
In the UK, Nave is particularly common in the region of Yorkshire, especially around the towns of York and Todmorden. It is also found in some other parts of northern England and Scotland.
In France, Nave is quite common in the northwest of the country. It is quite common in the regions of Brittany, Normandy, and Picardy. It can also be found in Paris and some other parts of France.
In the United States, the surname Nave is the most commonly found in the Mid-West and Northeastern regions such as in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and New York. It is also found in California, Florida, and Texas.
In Canada, the surname Nave can be found mainly in Ontario and Quebec. It can also be found in some other provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.
In Australia, the surname Nave is mainly found in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. It is also found in some parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Overall, the surname Nave is quite widely spread around the world today and it is particularly common in certain regions such as in the UK, France, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Nave
The surname Nave is derived from the Latin word navis, meaning ‘ship’ or ‘boat’. It is most commonly found in France, where it is the 23rd most common surname. Some of the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Nave include:
Naves: The most common spelling of Nave, this version originated in Burgundy, France, and is primarily found in south-western France today.
de Naves: This is a French variant of the surname, and it indicates that the family was of noble origin. It can also be seen as “von Naves”, and is found in both France and Germany.
Navès: This is the Catalan spelling, and is most commonly found in the Catalan region of Spain.
Navés: This variant is found in both Spain and Portugal.
Navarro: This is the Spanish spelling of the name. It is derived from the Basque word naba, which also means ‘ship’ or ‘boat’.
Navo: This surname is found primarily in the Netherlands.
Navon: This variant can be found in Israel, and is derived from the Biblical name Nahum.
Naveau: This is a French surname derived from the Latin name Navis.
Navio: This is an Italian variant of the name, and is derived from the Latin word navis.
Navot: This variant is found primarily in Israel.
Navrat: This Czech version of the surname is derived from the word návrat, which means “return.”
Navez: Another French variant, this one is derived from the Latin word navis.
Navarro-Gomes: This Portuguese version is a combination of the Spanish and Portuguese surnames Navarro and Gomes, which also mean ‘ship’ or ‘boat’.
Navatio: This variant, also derived from the Latin word navis, is found primarily in Italy.
Navales: This is found in the Philippines, and is derived from the Spanish word navales, which means “sailors.”
Famous people with the name Nave
- Mandy Nave: Broadway actress and singer who is best known for her role as Ella Mullins in the 2007 stage production of Beehive.
- Amber Nave: Venezuelan-American model and actress, who has appeared in movies, TV series and music videos.
- Everett Nave: American actor and voice artist whose career includes roles in the films Lone Wolf McQuade and National Lampoon's Vacation.
- Dave Nave: Country music singer-songwriter who had Billboard chart success in the ’90s with “The Right to Have You By My Side” and other singles.
- Kay Nave: popular television actress from 1960s programs such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Batman, and The Courtship of Eddie's Father.
- Eva Nave: French film actress who appeared in films such as Le Bossu (1959) and La Tulipe noire (1964).
- Cyd Nave: comedic actress and singer whose credits include Broadway's Brigadoon and The Wild Party.
- Susan Nave– American Olympic rower who competed in the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
- Tom Nave: American opera singer and musician known for his performances in musical plays such as Sweeney Todd and The Pirates of Penzance.
- Tom Nave Jr.– Popular rock and roll drummer who has performed with some of the top acts in the industry including Journey and Bruce Springsteen.