Show ContentsKever History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Kever surname is thought to have derived from an Old Norse personal name Ivarr of uncertain origin. It became a given name in Ireland, Scotland and Wales before becoming a hereditary surname.

Early Origins of the Kever family

The surname Kever was first found in Dumbartonshire. The first on record was "Douenaldus filius Makbeth mac Ywar was one of the perambulators of the boundary between the lands of Arnbroath Abbey and the barony of Kynblathmund, 1219." 1

Early History of the Kever family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kever research. Another 296 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1479, 1488, 1499, 1541, 1562, 1563, 1621, 1622, 1638, 1640, 1644, 1659, 1890 and 1931 are included under the topic Early Kever History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kever Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacIver, MacIvor, MacCure, MacEure, MacUre and many more.

Early Notables of the Kever family

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kever Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kever family to Ireland

Some of the Kever family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Kever migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kever Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hans Philip Kever, who arrived in New York in 1709 2
  • Philip Kever, who arrived in New York in 1709 2
Kever Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Edward Kever, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 2
  • James Kever, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1867 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Kever (post 1700) +

  • Sascha Kever (b. 1975), Swiss football referee
  • Hein Kever (1854-1922), Dutch painter


The Kever Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Numquam obliviscar
Motto Translation: I will never forget.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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