NameCensus.

UK surname

Chivers

An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "chiver," meaning a manufacturer or seller of chives.

In the 1881 census there were 2,637 people recorded with the Chivers surname, ranking it #1,685 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,989, ranked #1,699, down from #1,685 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Radstock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bath and North East Somerset, Mendip and Blaenau Gwent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chivers is 4,337 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 51.3%.

1881 census count

2,637

Ranked #1,685

Modern count

3,989

2016, ranked #1,699

Peak year

1998

4,337 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chivers had 2,637 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,685 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,989 in 2016, ranked #1,699.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,659 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Chivers surname distribution map

The map shows where the Chivers surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Chivers surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chivers over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 1,588 #1,818
1861 historical 1,397 #2,051
1881 historical 2,637 #1,685
1891 historical 2,623 #1,817
1901 historical 3,500 #1,594
1911 historical 3,659 #1,427
1997 modern 4,238 #1,534
1998 modern 4,337 #1,550
1999 modern 4,300 #1,575
2000 modern 4,297 #1,563
2001 modern 4,206 #1,559
2002 modern 4,268 #1,571
2003 modern 4,168 #1,576
2004 modern 4,109 #1,597
2005 modern 4,035 #1,612
2006 modern 4,021 #1,614
2007 modern 4,030 #1,627
2008 modern 4,000 #1,661
2009 modern 4,106 #1,654
2010 modern 4,157 #1,670
2011 modern 4,114 #1,659
2012 modern 4,030 #1,668
2013 modern 4,068 #1,686
2014 modern 4,097 #1,683
2015 modern 4,031 #1,695
2016 modern 3,989 #1,699

Geography

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Where Chivers' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Radstock and East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bath and North East Somerset, Mendip and Blaenau Gwent. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Radstock Somerset
4 London parishes London 3
5 East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bath and North East Somerset 025 Bath and North East Somerset
2 Bath and North East Somerset 023 Bath and North East Somerset
3 Bath and North East Somerset 027 Bath and North East Somerset
4 Mendip 002 Mendip
5 Blaenau Gwent 009 Blaenau Gwent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chivers

These lists show first names that appear often with the Chivers surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Chivers

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Chivers, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Chivers surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Chivers household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Chivers is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Chivers is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Chivers falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Chivers is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Chivers, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Chivers

The surname Chivers originated in England during the medieval period, with its earliest recorded appearance dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cyfer," meaning a small enclosed area or a covered way, referring to a person who lived near or worked in such a structure.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, where it appears as "Cyfer." Over time, the spelling evolved to its modern form, "Chivers."

In the 14th century, the surname was relatively uncommon but appeared in various records across England. For instance, a John Chyver was listed in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379.

By the 16th century, the name had spread to different parts of the country, with notable individuals bearing the surname. One such person was John Chivers, a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol, who was recorded in the city's records in 1542.

The 17th century saw the name appearing in various parish records and historical documents. In 1643, a Thomas Chivers was listed as a member of the Honorable Artillery Company in London.

Moving into the 18th century, the surname gained further recognition with the birth of William Chivers (1745-1833), a renowned English engraver and caricaturist known for his satirical prints and political caricatures.

Another notable figure was Thomas Chivers (1809-1858), an American poet and writer from Massachusetts. He gained recognition for his works such as "The Lost Pleiad" and "The Endymion," and was considered a part of the Transcendentalist movement.

In the 19th century, the Chivers surname was prevalent in various parts of England, with clusters found in counties like Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Northamptonshire. One individual of note was William John Chivers (1818-1902), an English Baptist minister and author who served as the pastor of several churches in London.

As the name spread across the globe, it also gained recognition in other parts of the world. For instance, Thomas Holley Chivers (1809-1858), an American poet and writer, was born in Georgia and is remembered for his contributions to Southern literature.

Overall, the surname Chivers has a rich history spanning centuries, with its origins rooted in medieval England and its presence gradually extending to various regions around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Chivers families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chivers surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Somerset leads with 573 Chivers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.81x.

County Total Index
Somerset 573 13.81x
Wiltshire 457 20.05x
Middlesex 300 1.16x
Hampshire 231 4.37x
Gloucestershire 226 4.47x
Surrey 137 1.09x
Berkshire 117 6.05x
Monmouthshire 115 6.17x
Glamorgan 65 1.45x
Cambridgeshire 57 3.49x
Lancashire 55 0.18x
Kent 51 0.58x
Yorkshire 39 0.15x
Durham 30 0.39x
Devon 21 0.39x
Essex 19 0.37x
Sussex 19 0.44x
Cornwall 11 0.38x
Norfolk 11 0.28x
Cheshire 9 0.16x
Dorset 9 0.53x
Derbyshire 7 0.17x
Hertfordshire 7 0.39x
Lanarkshire 7 0.08x
Worcestershire 7 0.21x
Oxfordshire 6 0.38x
Pembrokeshire 6 0.73x
Renfrewshire 6 0.30x
Staffordshire 6 0.07x
Warwickshire 6 0.09x
Carmarthenshire 4 0.37x
Channel Islands 4 0.52x
Leicestershire 4 0.14x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.19x
Herefordshire 3 0.28x
Lincolnshire 3 0.07x
Royal Navy 3 0.98x
Angus 2 0.08x
Huntingdonshire 2 0.39x
Anglesey 1 0.22x
Bedfordshire 1 0.07x
Brecknockshire 1 0.19x
Northamptonshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Radstock in Somerset leads with 101 Chivers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 370.23x.

Place Total Index
Radstock 101 370.23x
Midsomer Norton 97 248.21x
Westbury On Severn East 63 55.13x
Bedminster 46 11.80x
Portsea 46 4.44x
Camberwell 43 2.61x
Avebury 37 578.13x
Calne 36 76.73x
Melksham 35 88.43x
Beckington 33 403.42x
Aberystruth 32 19.48x
Chippenham 31 64.85x
Lambeth 31 1.38x
Glastonbury 30 88.60x
Hackney London 29 2.01x
Newbury 29 46.80x
Clerkenwell London 27 4.44x
St Pancras London 27 1.30x
Swindon 25 14.14x
Walcot 25 11.31x
Writhlington 23 637.12x
Paulton 22 115.85x
Devizes St Mary 21 91.19x
Islington London 21 0.84x
Kensington London 21 1.47x
Lyncombe Widcombe 21 19.33x
Cottenham 20 92.21x
Tonbridge 20 6.31x
Histon 19 221.96x
Kilmersdon 18 87.85x
Newland 18 42.37x
Risca 18 51.25x
Compton Bassett 17 515.15x
Ogbourne St George 17 397.20x
Shoreditch London 17 1.52x
Camerton 16 132.45x
High Littleton 16 233.92x
Aberdare 15 4.87x
Ashbury 15 248.76x
Frome 15 15.12x
Bromley London 14 2.47x
West Dean 14 17.05x
Abbotts Ann 13 218.49x
Basingstoke 13 21.40x
Bath St Michael 13 62.02x
Clifton 13 5.09x
Laycock 13 125.85x
Marshfield 13 96.23x
Newport 13 14.63x
St George Hanover Square 13 2.86x
St Marylebone London 13 0.94x
Andover 12 24.04x
Bristol St George 12 5.13x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 12 2.52x
Chelsea London 12 1.55x
Plymouth St Andrew 12 2.90x
Ystradyfodwg 12 3.05x
Abingdon St Helen 11 19.45x
Alverstoke 11 5.75x
Cardiff St John 11 7.50x
Cliffe Pypard 11 160.82x
Devizes St John 11 64.29x
Holy Rood 11 103.00x
Salisbury St Edmund 11 30.07x
South Cerney 11 132.21x
Willington 11 24.83x
Amesbury 10 100.50x
Dunkerton 10 111.23x
Kings Worthy 10 254.45x
Paddington London 10 1.06x
Penton Mewsey 10 396.83x
Trevethin 10 5.68x
Whitley 10 327.87x
Allerton Bywater 9 65.12x
Battersea 9 0.95x
Bristol St James In 9 12.11x
Corsham 9 27.06x
Hastings St Leonards 9 14.09x
Pewsham 9 267.06x
Wellow 9 73.77x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Chivers surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 164
Elizabeth 91
Sarah 91
Eliza 64
Ann 56
Alice 48
Jane 47
Ellen 41
Emily 40
Emma 32
Annie 27
Martha 26
Edith 24
Charlotte 22
Harriet 20
Maria 19
Hannah 18
Ada 16
Louisa 16
Fanny 14
Susan 14
Florence 13
Kate 13
Harriett 12
Agnes 11
Amelia 11
Caroline 11
Julia 11
Frances 10
Rosa 10
Catherine 9
Anne 8
Clara 8
Ethel 8
Laura 8
Lydia 8
Matilda 8
Margaret 7
Rose 7
Maud 6
Amy 5
Elizth. 5
Hester 5
Lucy 5
Rosina 5
Anna 4
Esther 4
Mabel 4
Belinda 3
Bessie 3

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Chivers surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 167
John 98
Thomas 92
George 91
Henry 77
James 60
Charles 54
Alfred 47
Albert 38
Joseph 35
Arthur 28
Frederick 26
Samuel 26
Richard 23
Walter 22
Herbert 17
Edward 16
Frank 15
Edwin 13
Ernest 13
Mark 13
Harry 12
Robert 12
Isaac 11
Fred 10
Benjamin 9
Francis 8
Stephen 8
Edmund 7
Fredrick 7
David 6
Thos. 6
Eli 5
Fredk. 5
Geo. 5
Jesse 5
Josiah 5
Sidney 5
Sydney 5
Tom 5
Aaron 4
Daniel 4
Enoch 4
Wm. 4
Alfd. 3
Edgar 3
Jacob 3
Joshua 3
Leonard 3
Moses 3

FAQ

Chivers surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chivers surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,637 people were recorded with the Chivers surname. That placed it at #1,685 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Chivers surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,989 in 2016. That gives Chivers a modern rank of #1,699.

What does the Chivers surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "chiver," meaning a manufacturer or seller of chives.

What does the Chivers map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Chivers bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.