Surname Dover - Meaning and Origin

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I ventured into a unique exploration of my past with iGENEA's DNA analysis. The deep dive into my genetic profile shed light on the origin and history of the Dover family name, from Anglo-Saxon roots to global migration. The DNA analysis weaved it all together, creating a narrative of resilience and exploration.

G. Dover

Dover: What does the surname Dover mean?

The surname Dover is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is primarily associated with people from the United Kingdom. The name is a locational surname derived from the town of Dover in Kent, southeastern England. This town's name dates back to the Roman occupation of Britain and is believed to be derived from the Celtic word 'dubras' meaning 'waters'. Over time, 'dubras' became 'Dofras' and then eventually 'Dover'. Individuals were often named after the area they hailed from or resided in, particularly if they moved from that area to another. Hence, the Dover surname would have been given to people who were from Dover or had some other strong link to the town. Variations of the name 'Dover' include 'Dovar', 'Dovor', 'Doverman', and 'Dofer'. Today, people with the surname Dover can be found in significant numbers not only in the UK, but also in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Dover: Where does the name Dover come from?

The last name Dover is of English origin. It is initially derived from the town of Dover in the county of Kent, Southern England. The name of the town is derived from the River Dour that flows through it, meaning "waters". Thus, someone may have been named Dover because they originated from this town.

Early references of this name date back to the 12th century when Robert de Dovre was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1176, and later Richard de Dover in the "Calendar of Inquisitiones post mortem" for Somerset in 1314.

Today, the name Dover still remains most common in England, particularly in the regions around Kent where the name originates. It is also quite prevalent in the United States, possibly due to English emigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Swiss also have Dover as a common surname. Small pockets of people with the surname Dover can be found across the world in countries such as Australia, South Africa, and Canada, again this distribution is largely down to migration patterns from the UK.

Variations of the surname Dover

The surname Dover is of English origin, derived from the town of Dover in Kent, England. This surname has various spellings and variations related to the original. Some of these include Dovor, Dovar, Doover, Douver, Doofer, and Doveer. Interchangeably, some people may use double vowels or replace vowels, for example, Doovar or Douver. There could also be variations that add letters or prefixes such as McDover or Underdover.

The surname Dover might also have variant implications in different cultures. For example, in Jewish culture, it is a patronymic, derived from the given name Dov which means "bear". In such cases, variations can include Dov, Dovb, or Dubow.

However, use of these variations will largely depend on individuals, family traditions, immigration records, or errors in documentation. These variants are less common and the most prevalent form continues to be Dover in most English-speaking countries.

Please note, that while surname variations typically stem from phonetic spelling or regional adaptations, not everyone carrying these variations will necessarily be of the same lineage or ancestry as the original Dover family from Kent.

Famous people with the name Dover

• Denise Dover: A British actress best known for her roles in "EastEnders" and "Doctors."
• Tony Dover: A renowned film producer with notable works such as "Morris: A Life with Bells On."
• Bill Dover: A famous American football offensive lineman, who played for teams like the Baltimore Colts and the Green Bay Packers in the 1950s.
• Harold Dover: Former member of the Idaho House of Representatives.
• Tina Dover: Actress known for her work in films like "Celebrity" and "The Hotel New Hampshire."
• Seymour Dover: Fictional character from "The Green King" novel by Paul-Loup Sulitzer.
• Tom Dover: British rugby player who appeared for the England national team in the 1920s.
• Michael Dover: Retired British rowing coxswain who participated in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
• Nell Dover: A London-based costume designer, who has worked on productions like "A Masked Ball" and "The Girl of the Golden West."
• Harry Dover: A character in the book "Four Faultless Felons" by G. K. Chesterton.
• Darren Dover: A British footballer who played for various clubs including Torquay United and Exeter City.
• Daniel Dover: Renowned scholar and author notable for his contributions to classical literary studies. Note that some of these names belong to less-known or fictional personalities but are included for completeness.

Other surnames

DoveDoveastonDovesonDoveston