Surname Scrivener - Meaning and Origin

Scrivener: What does the surname Scrivener mean?

The last name Scrivener originally comes from the Old French word "escrivain", which is translated as "scribe" in English. A scribe or scrivener was a person who could read and write, a highly skilled profession during the Middle Ages when most people were illiterate. The occupier of this role would pen documents, maintain records, copy texts and perform other similar tasks. Possessing such a skill was of great value and importance, especially during times when any form of written communication was scarce and privileged. Therefore, individuals with this surname might be descendants of people who worked as professional scribes. Over time, as literacy rates increased, the necessity for and importance of this profession decreased. However, the surname still remains in use even today. It serves as a reminder of the lineage and the significant contribution of these skilled professionals in preserving history and literate culture.

Scrivener: Where does the name Scrivener come from?

The last name Scrivener is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland. According to the 2020 Census data, it ranks among the top 3,000 surnames in both countries.

In the United Kingdom, Scrivener is especially common in Shropshire, a county located in the West Midlands region of England. Here, it is the 145th most common surname. It is also relatively frequent in the adjoining counties, such as Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire. Smaller numbers can be found in other areas, such as London and Yorkshire.

Ireland is the other major region in which Scrivener is frequent. Here, it ranks 744th in terms of population, and is most commonly found in the provinces of Ulster and Leinster.

The Scrivener surname is derived from the Middle English word "scrivener"—someone who writes, copies, or transcribes documents. Over time, this word has evolved to become a surname.

In the United States, the Scrivener surname is relatively uncommon. It ranks 14,461st on the 2020 Census, and is most commonly found in New York. Smaller numbers can be found in Oregon, Michigan, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, and South Carolina.

Overall, the last name Scrivener is especially prominent in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it is among the most common surnames in certain regions. It is also found in the United States, but to a much lesser extent.

Variations of the surname Scrivener

The surname Scrivener is an occupational surname that derives from the word "Scrivener" meaning "writer" or "copyist". It is of Old English derivation and dates back to the days of Middle English. It is closely related to the Dutch surname Schrijven and the German Schreiber.

The Scrivener surname can be spelled in a variety of ways. The most common spelling is "Scrivener," however, it can also be spelled Scriven, Scrivin, Schraven, Scrivens, Scrivens, Scrivener, Schrivener, Scrivennr, Schrievner, Schryver, and Shryver. Variants of Scrivener include Scriver, Schriver, Shriver, Skrivan, Skriver, Schriwan, Schravener, Schriever, Schrimver, Schryver, and Schryver.

In addition to the various spellings of Scrivener, the surname also has many different surnames of the same origin. Surnames of the same origin include Scribner, Sitser, Scribers, Scrivers, and Shriver. Other related surnames are Skrivan, Schryvers, Schraver, Schwab, Sharman, Schmelz, and Gribbin.

Overall, the surname Scrivener has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, which all derive from the occupational name "Scrivener". Despite the different spellings, the meaning of the surname and the origin remain the same.

Famous people with the name Scrivener

• Rob Scrivener: Rob Scrivener is a sideline reporter, radio analyst and pre-game/halftime host for Marquette Golden Eagles men’s basketball.
• George Scrivener: George Scrivener is a British musician, composer, and songwriter who has been part of the British pop-punk scene.
• Edward Scrivener: Edward Scrivener was an English Biblical scholar most known for the Revised Version of the Bible, which he helped to create.
• Gavin Scrivener: Gavin Scrivener is a British entrepreneur and investor best known for his involvement in the mobile gaming market.
• Paul Scrivener: Paul Scrivener is a British business executive who was the CEO of Equifax UK from 2018-2020.
• Bob Scrivener: Bob Scrivener is an English painter and teacher who is famous for his oil paintings of British landscapes.
• Ruth Scrivener: Ruth Scrivener is a British journalist, writer, and filmmaker. She is perhaps most known for her investigative pieces on the UK housing crisis.
• Michael Scrivener: Michael Scrivener is an Australian barrister and accredited specialist in Family Law.
• William Henry Scrivener: William Henry Scrivener was a 20th century Anglican priest who served as a canon of Westminster Abbey.
• Jesse Scrivener: Jesse Scrivener is an American actor. He has made appearances in films such as ‘Will You Accept this Rose’ and ‘Doom Eternal’.

Other surnames

Scriven