Surname Seviour - Meaning and Origin
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Seviour: What does the surname Seviour mean?
The last name Seviour is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word "seofor," which means "serving man" or "servant." In medieval society, it was likely bestowed upon individuals who served others in a professional or personal capacity, such as a servant or retainer. Over time and through generations, it became a familial name. The surname Seviour can also be found under different spellings, such as Sevier, Sivyer, Sivewright, and others, depicting the regional and phonetic influences in different areas. The variations in the spelling of the surname provide key insights into the evolution and history of the English language. Despite the different spellings, it maintains the central idea of service or serving. It's worth mentioning that the surname relates to a person’s occupation or their ancestors' occupation, a common practice in naming conventions. The distribution of the name Seviour tends to be more prevalent in England and other English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisSeviour: Where does the name Seviour come from?
The surname Seviour is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and parts of Canada. It likely has its origins in either the Anglo-Saxon or Norse names of Sabeour and Sveinr respectively. The name first appeared in England in 1381-1385 AD in Somerset, where people of the name were living at that time. Later, during the 16th century, Seviours had migrated to Devon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
The Seviours are also found in pockets of the United States, particularly in the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. They also have a presence in smaller numbers in the states of California, Illinois, Michigan, and Washington. Seviour emigrants crossed the ocean and entered North America during the first part of the 19th century.
Today, the name is less commonly found in the UK, but can still be found in most major population centers. It is more commonly found in Canada, however. The greatest concentrations of the Seviours exist in Ontario and Alberta, with smaller concentrations in British Columbia and Quebec.
The Seviour family continues to take pride in their name, and its distinguished history. As the genealogy website, Genes Reunited, states, the Seviours “are descended from families who have achieved great success and have left a mark on both England and North America.” Whether in the UK, Canada, or the United States, the Seviours’ name is sure to remain prominent in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Seviour
Seviour is a surname of English origin, derived from the Olde French term “seigneur”, which means “lord” or “lord’s servant”. In its original spelling it is found as Seviour, though there are many spelling variants, including Sevier, Saviour, Saver, Sever, Seavy, Seyver, Seavyer, Seavyour, Savannah, Seever, Seiver, Seveer, Sevior, Sevoyer, or Sevyr.
The Seviour surname likely began as an occupational name usually for someone who was a “seigneur” or lord’s servant. Over time, various spelling variants developed, although the surname itself is relatively uncommon.
In the United States, the Seviour surname is particularly concentrated in several states–Virginia, North Carolina, New York, Maryland, and Ohio. However, the variants spanning all spellings of the name are spread across the country, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arkansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, and California.
The Seviour surname is one of many surnames that is associated with numerous variations, including variants as well as Anglicised versions of Irish names. Some variants of the surname include Saviour, Saver, Sever, Seavy, Seyver, Seavyer, Seavyour, and Savannah, while the Anglicised versions of the Irish names include Seever, Seiver, Seveer, Sevior, Sevoyer, and Sevyr.
Famous people with the name Seviour
- Bruce Seviour: English composer, arranger, and musician
- Andrew Seviour: British actor
- Jeff Seviour: British actor
- Leon Seviour: Former British rugby league footballer
- Lee Seviour: English cricketer
- Mark Seviour: Former English footballer
- Hannah Seviour: British actress
- Jim Seviour: retired English footballer
- Tom Seviour: English footballer