Show ContentsDrover History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Drover is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name was taken on by someone who worked as a person who drove a herd of livestock such as cattle or sheep from one place to another; such a person was called a drover. The surname Drover is derived from the Old English word draf, which means drove or herd.

Early Origins of the Drover family

The surname Drover was first found in Hampshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor, some say well before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Drover family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Drover research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Drover History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Drover Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Drover include Drover, Drovere, Droves, Drove and others.

Early Notables of the Drover family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Drover of Hampshire

Drover Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Drover is the 85th most popular surname with an estimated 344 people with that name. [1]


United States Drover migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Drover Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Drover, who settled in Upper Island Cove in 1763

Canada Drover migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Drover Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Australia Drover migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Drover Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • James Drover, English convict from Southampton, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia [3]
  • Mr. William Drover, (b. 1796), aged 35, Scottish blacksmith who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for life for murder, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [4]
  • Mr. John Drover, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Enchantress"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [5]

Contemporary Notables of the name Drover (post 1700) +

  • Shawn Drover (b. 1966), Canadian rock drummer, best known for his work with the American heavy metal band Megadeth
  • Glen Drover (b. 1969), Canadian heavy metal guitarist
  • Sam Drover (1911-2005), Canadian former long time member of Newfoundland's House of Assembly and founder of the Newfoundland Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF)


  1. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  2. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  3. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/enchantress


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