Karver History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Scotland

Etymology of Karver

The name Karver is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a wood-carver or sculptor. The former occupation was more common than the latter. Chaucer describes a wood-carver in the late 13th century "Knight's Tale", writing, "Ne purteyour, ne kerver of images."

The surname Karver is derived from the Old English word ceorfan, which means to cut or to carve. However, the surname Karver may also be derived from the occupation of a ploughman. In this case, the surname Karver is derived from the Old French words charuier and caruier, which both mean ploughman. 1

Early Origins of the Karver family

Early History of the Karver family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Karver research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1203, 1275, 1290, 1490, 1505, 1567, 1576, 1607, 1608, 1620, 1621, 1710 and 1780 are included under the topic Early Karver History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Karver Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Karver include Carver, Carvere, Carvar, Carever, Carber, Kerver and many more.

Early Notables of the Karver family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Robert Carver (1490-1567), Scottish Renaissance monk and composer of Christian sacred music.John Carver (c.1576-1621), was leader of the 'Pilgrim fathers,' an Englishman and agent of the English congregational church at Leyden in Holland. When he sailed in the Mayflower (1620) he was 'of good age,' father of several children, one daughter being aged 14. In his time the name of Carver, alias Calver, was common in the midland counties, and the best conjecture is that he...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Karver Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Karver family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Karver were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Richard Carver, who had sailed from Yarmouth in England in 1637; and who had lived at Scratby, in Norfolk, in England. He settled in Watertown in Massachusetts. In all, at this period, there were three settlers, Richard, Edward and Robert. Robert settled at Marshfield, Massachusetts in 1638.