Surname Silver - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Silver: What does the surname Silver mean?
The surname Silver likely has multiple origin stories due to being relatively popular across various cultures. One of the most common interpretations is that it is occupational, originating from England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It may have referred to individuals involved in silversmithing, a skilled craft that entails creating objects from silver or gold. This makes Silver a metonymic surname - a type of surname derived from an occupation or a role.
Alternatively, Silver may be a locational or toponymic surname, given to those who originally lived near a silvery stream or hill, from the Old English word 'seolfor' for silver. This term was frequently used in the Middle Ages to describe a river or stream with shiny, clear water.
In some cases, Silver could be an ornamental surname. Ornamental surnames were adopted by Jewish, Scandinavian, and other immigrants, where silver stands for purity and value. In these cases, the name Silver represents an ideal or quality which the original bearer or community held in high esteem.
Order DNA origin analysisSilver: Where does the name Silver come from?
The last name Silver has a long and storied history, which is likely why it is still found around the world today. Silver is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, believed to have originated in Poland and Russia, and is particularly common in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
In the United States, Silver is one of the 200 most common surnames, according to data from the Social Security Administration. It is the 46th most frequent surname reported in California. In the UK, it is the 182nd most common name, while in Canada it is the 533rd most common.
Silver is also found in other places throughout Europe and North America. In the Netherlands, it is the 562nd most common name, while in Germany it is the 710th most frequent. In Argentina, it is the 668th most common surname, while in Mexico it is the 1,714th most popular.
However, in Japan it is a rare surname, with fewer than 100 people sharing the expression within the country. The Silver surname is more likely to be found in parts of Europe where a large Jewish diaspora exists.
In summary, Silver is a relatively common last name today, found in countries across Europe, North America, South America, Oceania and other parts of the world. It is especially popular in the U.S., the UK, Canada, South Africa and Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Silver
The surname Silver has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants of Silver include Silverman, Silvers, Silverstein, and Silber. Silverman is a Jewish variant of Silver and is believed to originate from Germany. This variant is most common in the United States and Canada, but can also be found in England and Australia. Silvers is a Scottish variant and is the most common Scottish spelling of Silver. It was most common in North East Scotland but can now be found throughout the United Kingdom. Silverstein is another Jewish variant of Silver and is also thought to be of German origins. It is a popular variant in North America. Silber is believed to have originated from Austria and is a popular variant in Europe.
The surnames of the same origin as Silver include Silverthorn and Silverwood. Silverthorn is an English variant of Silver, with the addition of "thorn" referring to a thorn bush or a kind of plant. Silverwood is an English surname derived from the Old English word "siolfur" meaning "silver".
Finally, the variant Silverman can also be seen as a German surname spelled Silbermann. This spelling variation is more rare than Silverman and is most commonly found in Germany. It is believed to be a Jewish variant of the Germanic surname Silbemann.
Famous people with the name Silver
- Alison Brie Silver: Actress and comedian
- Benjamin Silver: American folk musician
- Bob Silver: Professional ice hockey player
- Billy Silver: Author of self-help and motivation books
- Bruce Silver: American mathematician, philosopher, and computer scientist
- David Silver: Founder and CEO of The Silver Companies
- Dennis Silver: Academy Award-winning visual effects artist
- Elvis Silver: Writer and executive producer of Dukes of Hazard
- Gary Silver: NFL player
- Isaac Silver: Composer and conductor
- Jackie Silver: Creator of the Aggressive Cow website
- Joel Silver: Hollywood film and television producer
- Lisa Silver: Canadian accelerator physicist
- Toby Silver: Indian actress and model
- Scott Silver: Screenwriter and director
- Stephanie Silver: Canadian film editor
- Ted Silver: Former NFL running back
- Tom Silver: Grammy Award-winning songwriter
- Zach Silver: Actor best known for his role in the film Charlie Bartlett