Gaver History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Gaver

What does the name Gaver mean?

The distinguished English surname Gaver is thought to be derived from the Old English nickname "Gofair," meaning "one who goes gently or quietly." It is likely that the name was initially bestowed as a nickname during the Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Gaver family

The surname Gaver was first found in Oxfordshire, where the Gaver family was anciently seated as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066; the language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. Many Anglo-Saxon surnames survived, however, and the Old English name Gaver was first referenced in the year 1223, when Gilbert Gofar was registered in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire.

Early History of the Gaver family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gaver research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1240 is included under the topic Early Gaver History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gaver Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gover, Gofer, Gofair, Gopher, Govere, Govier and many more.

Early Notables of the Gaver family

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

Migration of the Gaver family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Tho Gover, who immigrated to Virginia in 1653; Clement Gover, who settled in Maryland in 1665; Rich Gover, who came to Barbados in 1679; Anthony Govier, a bonded emigrant who arrived in Maryland in 1737.

Contemporary Notables of the name Gaver (post 1700) +

Mary Virginia Gaver (1906-1991), American librarian, President of the American Library Association (1966-1967)
John Milton Gaver Sr. (1900-1982), American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer from Mount Airy, Maryland
John Milton "Jack" Gaver Jr. (1940-2002), American trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses, son of Hall of Fame trainer John M. Gaver Sr.
Bill Gaver, American academic, co-director of the Interaction Research Studio
E. S. Gaver, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 15th District, 1855-56 1

Sources +

The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html