Tivey

Origin and Meaning: Tivey is a British surname with origins in the county of Derbyshire. The name is thought to have derived from the Old English personal name "Tif(e)", meaning "good" or "kind", combined with the suffix "-ey", referring to a place, hence denoting a community or homestead associated with someone named Tif(e).

History and Distribution: The surname Tivey has been predominantly found in the counties of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Nottinghamshire in England. The earliest records of the name date back to the 16th century in the Derbyshire region. Over time, Tivey families have spread across the United Kingdom and beyond, with some branches migrating to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Notable Individuals: One notable individual bearing the surname Tivey is Sir John Tivey (1928–2017), a distinguished British solicitor who served as the Lord Mayor of London from 1985 to 1986. His contributions to the legal profession and public service have made him a prominent figure in the history of the City of London.

Variants and Related Surnames: Variants of the surname Tivey include Tivy, Tiveye, and Tevey. Some cognate or related surnames that may share a common origin with Tivey include Tiffney, Tuffey, and Tippett.

References:

  • P.H. Reaney, R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames (3rd ed.), 1991.
  • J. Ayto, A. Crofton, Brewer's Dictionary of Names, 2013.
  • Tivey Family History (www.tiveyfamilyhistory.com).

This entry aims to provide a general overview of the British surname Tivey, highlighting its etymology, historical distribution, notable individuals, and related names.

There are approximately 774 people named Tivey in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,998th most common surname in Britain. Around 12 in a million people in Britain are named Tivey.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Charles
  • Christopher
  • Craig
  • David
  • Gavin
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Trevor

Female

  • Claire
  • Donna
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • Julie
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Sharon
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

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

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