Carvor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Scotland

Etymology of Carvor

The name Carvor is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who 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 Carvor is derived from the Old English word ceorfan, which means to cut or to carve. However, the surname Carvor may also be derived from the occupation of a ploughman. In this case, the surname Carvor is derived from the Old French words charuier and caruier, which both mean ploughman. 1

Early Origins of the Carvor family

Early History of the Carvor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carvor 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 Carvor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carvor Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Carvor are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Carvor include Carver, Carvere, Carvar, Carever, Carber, Kerver and many more.

Early Notables of the Carvor 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 Carvor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Carvor family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Carvor or a variant listed above: 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.