Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
CHEEVER
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
(origin: Fr.) Chevir signifies to master or overcome; and Chevre is a goat.
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
CHEEVER. Fr. chcvre. A goat. In the Domesd. of Devonshire is a tenant in capite called William Chievre, otherwise Capra. In B.L.G. it is stated, that " the family was established in England by a Norman knight in the army of the Conqueror, and in Ireland by Sir William Chevre, one of the companions of Strongbow."
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.