Diver

Diver is a surname of English and Irish origin that has been recorded in historical documents as early as the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old French word "diver", meaning various or different, and was used to denote someone who had a diverse or versatile nature.

Origins:

  • English Origin: In England, the surname Diver is believed to have originated as an occupational name for a craftsman or artisan who produced a variety of goods or services. It could also have been a nickname for someone who displayed diverse characteristics or talents.

  • Irish Origin: The surname Diver is also found in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Donegal and Derry. In Ireland, the name is thought to have been Anglicised from the Gaelic surname "Ó Duibhir", meaning dark or black, which could have referred to the physical appearance or personality of the original bearer.

Distribution:

  • Today, the surname Diver is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with significant populations in counties such as Donegal, Derry, and Lancashire.

Notable Individuals:

  • Thomas Diver (1800–1872): A British architect known for his Gothic Revival designs in churches and country houses.
  • Mary Ellen Diver (1849–1937): An Australian writer and entrepreneur of Irish descent, known for her contributions to literature and journalism.

Variants:

  • Variants of the surname Diver include Diverse, Dive, and Diverman.

References:

  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 1,312 people named Diver in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,966th most common surname in Britain. Around 20 in a million people in Britain are named Diver.

Surname type: Occupational name

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • Gerard
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Stephen
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Alice
  • Anne
  • Eileen
  • Elizabeth
  • Fiona
  • Jane
  • Jennifer
  • Joanne
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Rosemary
  • Sharon
  • Susan

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