WESTOVER
Westover
Origin and Meaning
Westover is a locational surname of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words "west" meaning "west" and "ofre," which is the Old English term for "bank" or "ridge." The surname Westover indicates a person living on the western side of a riverbank or ridge.
Distribution and History
The Westover surname has its roots in England, particularly in the south-western counties such as Somerset and Devon. Over time, bearers of the name have dispersed to other parts of the country and the world.
The earliest recorded instances of the Westover surname date back to the medieval period in England, suggesting a long history for this name. The name may have been bestowed upon families residing in or near places called Westover or in locations situated to the west of rivers or ridges.
Notable Individuals
- John Westover (1805-1878) - A British inventor and industrialist known for his pioneering work in developing innovative machinery for the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution.
- Alice Westover (b. 1982) - A contemporary British author renowned for her novels exploring themes of identity and family relationships in modern society.
Variants
Variants of the Westover surname include Westovar, Westvor, and Westoffer. These variations may have arisen due to regional accents and dialectal differences over time.
There are approximately 162 people named Westover in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Westover.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Albert
- Colin
- Darren
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Amy
- Ann
- Anne
- Claire
- Frances
- Irene
- Joan
- Marie
- Michele
- Natasha
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Ruth
- Sarah
- Theresa