Surname Stover - Meaning and Origin

Finding Myself Through the DNA Test: A Journey Back to the Roots of my Stover Heritage

Engaging with iGENEA DNA test brought me closer to my past establishing a profound sense of identity. I traced back my roots to ancient Celts under the Stover surname, illuminating my relationship to a diverse community.

I. Stover

Stover: What does the surname Stover mean?

The last name Stover is believed to have origins in England and Germany. In England, "Stover" is derived from an Old English word "stofa", which means hearth, fireplace, or stove. This might suggest an ancestral connection to professions involving heat such as blacksmithing, cooking, or pottery.

In Germany, "Stover" is viewed as a variant of "Stuber", which comes from Middle High German "stube", meaning a warm room or parlour. The term was often used to denote a small shop or craft. Thus, the German origin could also imply that the name was applied to those who owned or ran a small shop or craft establishment.

The regional distribution of this surname suggests that it is more common in the United States, followed by Germany, England, Canada and Australia. It is important to note that the specific meaning can vary based on family history and origin.

Stover: Where does the name Stover come from?

The last name Stover is an uncommon family name found in pockets around the United States. Stovers have likely descended from several distinct branches, with one important Stover family originating in Pennsylvania, where this family has been traced back to the year 1780 when they had migrated from Germany. Stovers can be found in parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana. This is possibly because they identified with geographic areas in the areas of their ancient German homeland.

Research suggests Stovers are predominantly found in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the country. Of these States, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and West Virginia have the highest percentage of Stover in the United States. Additionally, there has been an increase in Stover presence in the Southern states since the early 2000s, with more Stover migratory patterns appearing in cities such as Huntsville, TN and Atlanta, GA.

Outside of the United States, the surname Stover is believed to have originated in Canada, where it is primarily found in areas such as Ontario and British Columbia. While it is possible that some families have Stover roots outside of North America, additional research is needed to confirm a greater international presence of Stover descendants.

Overall, the last name Stover is most commonly found in a few regions of the United States, primarily in the Midwest and portions of the Mid-Atlantic. However, Stover families have also been found in Canada and, with further research, could possibly have a greater international presence.

Variations of the surname Stover

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Stover all originate from German and Dutch countries. These variations include Stover, Stöwer, Staver, Stavar, Storver, Stouwer, Stauver, Stouffer, and Stauffer. The surname Stover is thought to be derived from a nonviolent English personal name, ‘Stoffel’. One etymology of this surname suggests it originally dates from the root word ‘Stauhe’, an old German word referring to someone who works with metal.

The spelling variations in the surname also suggest the different regional dialects used throughout Europe. The Netherlands and Germany used a different language than England during the Middle Ages. Because of this, the spelling of surnames changed according to where the family placed their residence. Variations of the surname Stover can be found in English, Dutch, and German records.

In some places, the surname ‘Stover’ has been anglicized to ‘Stouffer’. This variation has been linked to Swiss-German dialects, where the ‘u’ is used instead of a vowel.

The surname ‘Stover’ has branched out to other countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Due to the mobility of people today, the surname ‘Stover’ is now also found among individuals of different ethnic backgrounds, such as African, Asian, and Hispanic. Therefore, today a common characteristic of this surname is its global presence.

In sum, the different variants and spellings of Stover reflect the mobility of people and the evolution of language throughout time.

Famous people with the name Stover

• David Stover: Former American professional baseball player and current front-office executive for the Arizona Diamondbacks
• Danielle Stover: Professional recording artist and singer
• Garry Stover: Canadian professional golfer
• Mike Stover: American College Basketball coach
• Shannon Stover: WNBA basketball player
• Gary Stover: American Athlete, played college football for the University of Tennessee
• Bill Stover: Key animation designer at Blue Sky Studios
• Jack Stover: Former American Football League player
• Jerry Stover: Retired Major League Baseball Catcher
• Ken Stover: Former MLB pitcher
• Van Stover: American retired professional wrestler
• Sterling Stover: American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
• Riley Stover: Retired Canadian ice hockey right wing
• Bryson Stover: American professional basketball player
• Richard Stover: American former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Kay Stover: American ice skater
• Robert Stover: American bass guitarist
• Amanda Stover: American freestyle skier
• Brendan Stover: American professional wrestler
• Sonya Stover: American film and Television actress
• Rachel Stover: Retired professional basketball player
• Edward Stover: American meteorologist

Other surnames

StoveStovermannStoverockStoverok