DOVE

The Dove surname is of English origin and derives from several Old English words that are linked to the bird of the same name.

In the early Middle English period the word doeve was recorded as a common term for a dove. The Latinised form Dova appears in documents dated 1219, and a later Middle English reference in 1198 confirms the use of the word. From these roots the name Dove was adopted as a nickname for a gentle, peaceful individual, reflecting the bird’s reputation for calmness and purity.

Alternatively, the surname may have arisen as a topographic or habitational name. One explanation, taken from early sources, connects Dove with the Old English word dof, meaning a small valley or hollow. Individuals who lived near such features could have been identified by this descriptor, which was then inherited as a family name.

It is also possible that Dove is a metonymic occupational surname. In medieval England, persons who kept, bred or sold doves – sometimes organised within a dove‑keepers guild – were sometimes identified by their trade. A bird catcher, or a breeder of doves, might have been known simply as “Dove”, a practice that later became hereditary.

Historical documentation for the surname extends beyond England. In Scotland and Ireland, Dove is an anglicised form of the Gaelic word dubh (meaning black or dark). This variant is recorded in charters dated 1275 – the witness record for Duncan Duff – and in a 1341 inquisition concerning lands in Aberdeen. The surname appears in a 1342 entry for Machabeus Duff, a burgess of Cullen, and is linked to the patronymic MacDuff or McDuff, meaning “son of Duff.” The earliest known spelling of the name in the Scottish record is that of Duncan Duff, which indicates the name’s presence in the Lowlands as early as the mid‑thirteenth century.

In the modern era the Dove surname is known across the Commonwealth and the United States. According to the most recent British census the name is a relatively rare one in England, ranking 11,344th out of nearly 45,400 surnames in 2016, with an estimated 237 bearers. In Canada, the name is considerably more common, with 2,126 individuals recorded in 2016 and ranking 1,810th. Australia’s rank is 5,808th, with 1,393 bearers, while New Zealand records 114 individuals, placing the name 8,459th in that country. In the United States the Dove surname is the 739th most common out of 887,799 surnames, as reflected by the 2020 US Census.

Throughout history, the surname Dove has appeared in a variety of spellings including Dov, Doves, Douve, Dow, and Dew. In addition, there are recognised variants in other languages, such as the Dutch Deuve, Deuw, Devoe, and Devo. These regional differences illustrate the widespread adoption of the surname across Europe and the English‑speaking world.

Beyond its linguistic variety, the Dove surname demonstrates a long tradition of individuals who contributed to rural and commercial life, whether through the straightforward denotation of a peaceful person or through specialised work in pigeon breeding and sale. The name continues to be borne by families who regard it as a mark of cultural heritage and genealogical legacy.

Typical given names associated with the Dove surname

Male

• Andrew
• Christopher
• David
• James
• John
• Michael
• Paul
• Peter
• Richard
• Robert
• Stephen

Female

• Christine
• Emma
• Helen
• Jacqueline
• Jane
• Julie
• Margaret
• Mary
• Nicola
• Patricia
• Sarah
• Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Dove in...

Braille

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Morse

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Semaphore

Did you know?

According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Dove are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Jammy Dodger.

Surname type: Nickname

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Famous people named Dove

• Jonathan Dove - Composer
• Evelyn Dove - Singer and actress (1902 to 1987)
• Frances Dove - Campaigner, founder of Wycombe Abbey and other girls' schools (1847 to 1942)
• Frank Dove - Boxer (1897 to 1957)
• Craig Dove - Football player
• Katy Dove - (1970 to 2015)
• Frederick Dove - Swimmer, Olympic athlete, British Empire Games gold medallist (1917 to 1980)

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

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