Surname Scrivner - Meaning and Origin

Scrivner: What does the surname Scrivner mean?

The last name Scrivner, also spelled as Scrivener, originally denoted a clerk or scribe, a person who could read and write. These people occupied an important position in the medieval societies as few could read and write. They were in charge of transcribing official records and documents, keeping important accounts, and acting as notaries. This surname has its origin in Old French—the words "escrivain" or "escrivein" refer to a scribe or clerk from the Latin "scriban" or "scribere", meaning "to write". Over time, the spelling morphed into the modern form. Hence, the surname represents an occupation carried out by the ancestors of those who bear it. The name is popular in English and French cultures. Notably, surnames based on occupations, places, geographical features, or an ancestor's first name are common in many cultures around the world.

Scrivner: Where does the name Scrivner come from?

The last name Scrivner is a relatively common last name in English-speaking countries today. In the United States of America, the surname is most prevalent in the state of Texas, where there are over 1,000 Scrivners living. It is also common in Oklahoma, Georgia, Arkansas, and South Carolina. Other states where the name is fairly common include Louisiana, North Carolina, and Mississippi. Outside of the U.S., the last name is more likely to be found in the United Kingdom and Ireland. There are also a handful of Scrivner families in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The earliest known occurrences of the surname come from 16th century England, where the name was popular in Hertfordshire and surrounding counties. The meaning of the surname is unclear, though some believe it is derived from the Latin term "Scribano," meaning "writer." In addition, it is thought to have possibly been an occupational moniker for a scribe or secretary. Today, the surname can be found with many spelling variations such as Scrivenor, Scrivener, and Scrivens.

Variations of the surname Scrivner

The surnames Scrivner, Scribner, Scriber and Skrivan are all related and have the same origin. These surnames derive from the Old English “scryfning,” meaning someone who could write or copy manuscripts in Medieval times.

The main spelling of the surname is Scrivner, but Scribner and Scriber are two other common variants. The different versions of this surname date back to the 16th century when books and manuscripts were becoming more common. People with these skills were in high demand, particularly during a time of increased literacy.

Scriber is a variant of the surname which has more common usage in America. This version of the surname is derived from the Old English “scriber,” meaning someone who wrote or copied manuscripts.

The surname Skrivan is a variation of the name in Eastern Europe, and is derived from the Old Slavic “skrŭpati,” which means “to carve” or “to make a mark.” This variant likely came about to differentiate it from the other versions of the name.

The origins of the Scrivner surname stretch back centuries, and have evolved and changed over time. With variants such as Scribner, Scriber and Skrivan, this surname has a persistent presence throughout history and still retains its rich heritage.

Famous people with the name Scrivner

• Historian Jarod Scrivner, known for his work on early American criminal justice
• Noelle Scrivner, professional soccer player and member of the US Women's National Team
• Actor James Scrivner, often credited for roles in early 1990s television shows such as ER and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
• Jesse Scrivner, professional motocross racer and X-Games medalist
• Artist Daniel Scrivner, whose works of landscape painting are renowned worldwide
• Singer/songwriter and Grammy-nominated artist Arthur Scrivner
• Professor of law Trevor Scrivner, a noted scholar in the realm of conflict resolution
• Businesswoman and philanthropist Katherine Scrivner, a major advocate in the fight against climate change
• Baseball coach and four-time World Series champion Roy Scrivner
• Author and Pulitzer Prize-winner Preston Scrivner, best known for his work on the Civil War-era novel Series of Emotions

Other surnames

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