Dever Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Dever Origin:

France

Origins of Dever:

The origin of this unique surname evolved originally from Norman French. It is a locational name and appeared in England after the war of the year 1066, and became one the few which can be proved with clear origins to have been at the war of Hastings. Moreover, the name holders were gifted vast lands, especially in East Anglia, some of those they still hold after 900 years. However, most of these names of various places had evolved originally from the villages of ‘Ver,’ in the areas of Guttray and La Manche, Normandy. There is also a Dutch city called ‘Veere’ on the island of Walcheren, and it may be that name holders migrated there. The De Vere family had gifted the original land of Oxford, and after that the dukedom of Ireland. Later recordings included Henry de Vere, also of Oxford in the year 1605, Jane Vear, who married at St George’s Church. In the year 1780, Hanover Square from London married George Dever at Allhallows, London Wall, on 28th June 1796. The coat of weapons has the shining of once a quarter red and gold, a noble person incitement in silver, all within an engrailed bordure of black.According to early recordings, the recorded spellings of the name included De Vere, De Vauz, De Var, Devar, Dever, Vaux, Vere, Vear, Veare and Vears.

Variations:

More common variations are: Devery, Devere, Deaver, Deiver, Devera, Devero, Deveer, Deever, Dhever, Duever.

England:

The origins of the surname Dever were in Essex where people held a family seat from early times and were gifted estates by Duke William of Normandy, from their different commanders at the war of Hasting in the year 1066. In the Domesday documents, Aubrey de Vere was a tenant-in-chief in England, a successful man in the year 1086 and assistant of the estates of Oxford. He was one of the great landholders of England and held his Palace from the Lord at Hedingham in Essex.

The very first recorded spelling of the family was shown to be that of Alberic de Ver, dated 1086, in the Domesday document of the division of Essex It was during the time of King William 1st, who was known to be the ‘The Conqueror,’ 1066-1087. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling varieties of the original one.

Ireland:

Many of the Dever people had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

People of Dever family arrived in the United States beginning in the 17th century. Some of the population of Dever family who settled in the United States in the 17th century included Grace Dever and Richard Dever arrived in Maryland in the year 1658.

The following century saw much more people with the Dever surname arrive. People of Dever who settled in the United States in the 19th Century included Bridget Dever, at the age of 55, in Delaware in the year 1803. Edward Dever landed in New London Connecticut in the year 1811 with his family. Cornelius, Daniel, Denis, Edward, Hugh, James, John, Neil, Samuel, Thomas and William Dever all arrived in Philadelphia in the mid of the years 1840 and 1865.

New-Zealand:

The settlement of Dever family also occurred in the 19th century in places in New-Zealand. Elizabeth Dever arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “New Era” in the year 1855.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Dever: United States 6,632; England 376; Australia 537; Canada 304; South Africa 183; India 1,273; France 196; Belgium 200; Turkey 349; Ireland 153.

Notable People:

Barbara Dever was an opera singer, born in the year 1951, arose with Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, Zubin Mehta.

Belinda Dever (1977), was an Australian retired netball player.

Dever Orgill (1990), was a Jamaican football player.

James C. Dever III (1962), was a United American federal judge.

James Dever (1825–1904), was an Irish businessperson and politician in New Brunswick, Canada.

Joe Dever (1956), was a fantastic prize holder British writer and game designer.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Notes: None. Blazon: Ermine a bend gules.