Surname Niver - Meaning and Origin

Niver: What does the surname Niver mean?

The last name Niver is an occupational surname derived from the Middle English word “naverer”. This word was used to refer to someone who traded, or worked in the transportation of goods. This type of trade was common during the Middle Ages across Europe.

The surname is a variant of the French and German surname Naver, which originated from the Latin word navarrius meaning “a sailor or navigator.” As the surname spread to other countries including England and Scotland, it gradually took on several different spellings including Niver, Niever, and Never.

A bearer of the Niver surname can trace their origins back to medieval Europe. It is believed that the earliest variants of the surname were found in Northwest France and German-speaking regions of Central Europe. Today this surname can be found in various countries such as England, Scotland, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands.

In America, the earliest records of the Niver name date back to the 1600s when a “Symond Neyer” is listed in the muster roll of Jamestown, Virginia. The Niver surname is also found amongst numerous branches of the Armed Forces in the United States.

Overall, the Niver surname is a great way to trace one’s roots back to an important part of medieval history. Those bearing the surname are likely descended from traders who worked in the transportation of goods during this period, a profession that played an essential role in the development of many societies.

Niver: Where does the name Niver come from?

The last name Niver is most commonly found throughout the United States. Most notably, Niver is present in this country in large concentrations in New England, and throughout the MidAtlantic states. In New England, the most common locations are Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Various records show the Niver family having roots in the United States dating back to early settlers from Europe. The first known Niver ancestor in this country, Jean Niver, arrived in America sometime before 1650, with the family having a strong presence in Massachusetts throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Internet Surname Database lists the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Oregon as having a sizable Niver population, with traces of the family also in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington.

Aside from the United States, Niver is most commonly found in Northern Canada, and can be found sporadically throughout the United Kingdom. It is believed that many of these Nivers descended from French ancestors, having emigrated to North America sometime in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Overall, the Niver family appears to have roots, and a significant presence, throughout much of the English speaking United States, as well as parts of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada.

Variations of the surname Niver

The surname Niver is of French origin and is an occupational surname related to the word nivé, meaning sugary, or from the Old French word niguer, meaning to snow. It is also likely derived from the Latin word nivere, to be snowed under.

Niver is the most common spelling of the name, although there are numerous other variations.

Variant spellings of Niver include Nivar, Nivere, Nievre, Nivère, Nivier, Nivet, Nivaroz, Nivard, Niverd, Nivel, Nivell, Nivello, Niveau, Niño, Nivois, Neive, Neiver, Neivar, Neievre, Neivier, Neivet, Neivaroz, Neivard, Neiverd, Neivel, Neivell, Neivello, Neiveau, Niño, Niñov, Niñovar, and Niñovard.

Surnames related to Niver include: Nival, Nivala, Nivar, Nivati, Nyver, Nyve, Nyvaroz, Nivil, Nivallo, Nivetto, Nivelato, Nivalero, Nessive, Nivedo, and Nivern.

Overall, the surname Niver has many variations and related surnames, all of which likely evolved from the same French root word.

Famous people with the name Niver

• Ryan Niver: professional snowboarder and competitive mountain bike racer
• Keith Niver: television and motion picture executive
• Bob Niver: former Major League Baseball player
• Richard Niver: California Hall of Fame philanthropist
• Charles Niver: actor
• Adele Niver: American actress
• David Niver: NASA flight controller
• Jim Niver: MLB umpire
• Nils Niver: botanist
• Winifred Niver: one of the first female vice presidents of a Broadway production company
• Floyd Niver: music composer
• Samantha Niver: ice skater
• Jen Niver: all around equestrian phenom
• Mark Niver: business entrepreneur and financier
• Ashton Niver: Broadway director and producer

Other surnames

NaadavaNaahsNaanayaNaarNaasNaaseNaaskoNaaßNÄÄtÄnenNaayaraNäbauerNaberNabereitNabersNabertNäbertNaborNaboreitNaborsNaboursNabrothNabrotzkiNabrotzkyNacakNacfaireNachbarNachbauerNachbaurNachrichterNachtigal