Coves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The name Coves is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in the lush region of Cove, in Suffolk.

Early Origins of the Coves family

The surname Coves was first found in Suffolk, where they held a family seat from ancient times in the two hamlets of North and South Cove in Suffolk 1 which were held at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086 by Count Alan of Brettagny. 2 Conjecturally the name is descended from that source.

Much further to the north in Scotland, Cove is a village in the parish of Nigg in Aberdeenshire. 3

Early History of the Coves family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coves research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1219, 1273, 1293, 1330, 1642 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Coves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coves Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Coves has been spelled many different ways, including Cove and others.

Early Notables of the Coves family

More information is included under the topic Early Coves Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Coves family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Covess to arrive in North America: Margarett Cove who sailed to Virginia in 1634.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.