Surname Tarver - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA DNA Test: Unraveling the Complex Story Behind the Tarver Surname
I've always identified with the Tarver surname and assumed it held an Anglo-French origin - until the complex story unraveled by my iGENEA DNA test. The test results offered a surprising and enriching insight into my family history, beckoning a review of self-perception and strengthening my connection to my surname.
W. Tarver
read moreTarver: What does the surname Tarver mean?
The last name Tarver is of English origin, and typically refers to a person who was a woodcutter or a dealer in timber. The name is derived from the Old French word 'taver,' meaning “to hew or cut,” and the suffix -er, which is used to indicate an individual that performs the action of the preceding word.
Historically, people with the last name Tarver have lived in southwestern England, particularly in Hertfordshire and Shropshire, since the Middle Ages. During this period, woodcutting was a vital part of day-to-day life and a major source of income for many people. Families with the last name Tarver were known for creating and selling lumber items such as building materials, furniture, and firewood.
In the United States, the name Tarver is most commonly found in the states of Virginia, Georgia, and Arkansas. In modern day, the name can be found across the globe, in places as far-reaching as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and Latin America.
While the last name Tarver can be attributed to woodcutting or dealing in timber, it also has been used as a surname in other contexts—for instance, there have been Tarvers who have served in the military, are authors, and are politicians. Through its various associations, the name Tarver, no matter what the origins, has been embraced by families all over the world.
Order DNA origin analysisTarver: Where does the name Tarver come from?
The last name Tarver is common today in the United States, especially in the southern states. In 2019, it was the 572 most common last name in the US and it was most common in Alabama. Tarver is a name of Scottish origin which may have taken root in certain areas due to its prevalence in Scotland during the British immigration period. It has also been noted to have ties with people of African heritage.
In Alabama, Tarver is particularly common and is the 138th most prevalent surname. The origin of this name in the area is unclear, but it is believed that it was likely brought over by British settlers who arrived in the state centuries ago. In addition to Alabama, Tarver is also quite common in other southern states such as Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina, where it ranks in the top 800 most common surnames. This is likely due to the historical ties that the South has to Scotland and England.
At the same time, Tarver can also be found in other parts of the country including Maryland, New York, and California. In the western United States, it is commonly associated with its Spanish equivalent, Taravillo. It is also quite common in the Midwest, where it can trace its roots back to the north and central European settlers who came to the area in the 1600s and 1700s.
Overall, Tarver is a common last name today in the United States, though its roots remain largely shrouded in mystery. It is most heavily concentrated in the South, likely due to the longstanding links between the region and Scotland, but it can also be found in other parts of the country as well.
Variations of the surname Tarver
The surname Tarver is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Tairbheir, which is derived from the name Tairbheir, an ancestral figure in Irish mythology. The variants of the surname include Taver, Tarvor, Terver, Tarvar, Torver, Tarvar, Tawar, Tarvarre, Touwar and Tarvare.
The Anglicized form of the Irish surname Tarver is shared by families of other national origins as well and is spelled differently in the different languages. Common spelling variations of the Irish surname include Thorvath, Thorvatt, Thorvat, Tourvat, Towevat, Towavat, Taurvat, Tarvat, and Tarvatt. Variants of the surname from other national origin include Tarva (Italian and Dutch), Torver (Basque, Catalan and Swedish), Terwetter (German) and Tarvart (French).
The most common variants of the surname Tarver are Torver and Tarvart. Thorvath, Thorvat, Thorvatt, Tourvat, Towevat, and Towavat are more common in the French, Monegasque and Dutch-speaking countries. In Germany, many family names have a similar spelling and pronunciation to Tarver, such as Terwetter.
In addition to the spelling variations, the surname Tarver is also used as a variation of the last name Tarvar and Tarvare. The surname Tarvar and Tarvare can also be spelled as Taurvar, Taurvare, Tawar, and Touwar.
Finally, some families from Ireland may have also adopted the more often used surname Traber from the Anglicized form of Tarver.
In conclusion, there are a vast amount of surnames that are derived from the Irish surname Tarver and can be found in a variety of spelling variations and national origins.
Famous people with the name Tarver
- Johnnie Tarver: he is an American jazz-pop singer, songwriter, and composer.
- Rita Tarver: she is a British actress and stage director.
- Brad Tarver: he is an American stand-up comedian and actor.
- Jasmine Tarver: she is an Australian footballer.
- Captain Benjamin Franklin Tarver: he was an American naval aviator of World War II.
- Chuck Tarver: he was an American television writer and producer.
- Michael Tarver: he is an American professional wrestler and football player.
- James E. Tarver: he was the former mayor of Flagstaff, Arizona.
- Dr. John N. Tarver: he is a pastor and former president of the American Baptist convention.
- David Tarver: he is an American venture capitalist and author.