Carever History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Scotland

Etymology of Carever

The Carever family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a wood-carver or sculptor. The former occupation was more common than the latter. Chaucer describes a wood-carver in the late 13th century "Knight's Tale", writing, "Ne purteyour, ne kerver of images."

The surname Carever is derived from the Old English word ceorfan, which means to cut or to carve. However, the surname Carever may also be derived from the occupation of a ploughman. In this case, the surname Carever is derived from the Old French words charuier and caruier, which both mean ploughman. 1

Early Origins of the Carever family

Early History of the Carever family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carever research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1203, 1275, 1290, 1490, 1505, 1567, 1576, 1607, 1608, 1620, 1621, 1710 and 1780 are included under the topic Early Carever History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carever Spelling Variations

Carever has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Carever have been found, including Carver, Carvere, Carvar, Carever, Carber, Kerver and many more.

Early Notables of the Carever family

Robert Carver (1490-1567), Scottish Renaissance monk and composer of Christian sacred music. John Carver (c.1576-1621), was leader of the 'Pilgrim fathers,' an Englishman and agent of the English congregational church at Leyden in Holland. When he sailed in the Mayflower (1620) he was 'of good age,' father of several children, one daughter being aged 14. In his time the name of Carver, alias Calver, was common in the midland counties, and the best conjecture is that he came from Nottinghamshire. He was one of the...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Carever Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Carever family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Carevers to arrive on North American shores: Richard Carver, who had sailed from Yarmouth in England in 1637; and who had lived at Scratby, in Norfolk, in England. He settled in Watertown in Massachusetts. In all, at this period, there were three settlers, Richard, Edward and Robert. Robert settled at Marshfield, Massachusetts in 1638.