NameCensus.

UK surname

Gover

An occupational surname referring to a local governor or overseer.

In the 1881 census there were 769 people recorded with the Gover surname, ranking it #4,804 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 840, ranked #6,645, down from #4,804 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Purbeck, Test Valley and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gover is 1,102 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.2%.

1881 census count

769

Ranked #4,804

Modern count

840

2016, ranked #6,645

Peak year

1911

1,102 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gover had 769 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,804 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 840 in 2016, ranked #6,645.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,102 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Gover surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gover surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gover 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 636 #4,081
1861 historical 651 #4,122
1881 historical 769 #4,804
1891 historical 892 #4,617
1901 historical 1,024 #4,662
1911 historical 1,102 #4,216
1997 modern 854 #6,217
1998 modern 888 #6,222
1999 modern 888 #6,273
2000 modern 854 #6,436
2001 modern 837 #6,419
2002 modern 857 #6,427
2003 modern 832 #6,443
2004 modern 837 #6,420
2005 modern 842 #6,353
2006 modern 840 #6,374
2007 modern 831 #6,491
2008 modern 837 #6,511
2009 modern 836 #6,655
2010 modern 849 #6,699
2011 modern 843 #6,657
2012 modern 847 #6,548
2013 modern 853 #6,613
2014 modern 853 #6,640
2015 modern 844 #6,655
2016 modern 840 #6,645

Geography

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Where Govers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and Corfe Castle. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Purbeck, Test Valley, Cardiff, Poole and Pembrokeshire. 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 London parishes London 3
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Corfe Castle Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Purbeck 003 Purbeck
2 Test Valley 015 Test Valley
3 Cardiff 016 Cardiff
4 Poole 014 Poole
5 Pembrokeshire 008 Pembrokeshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gover

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gover

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gover, 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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Gover 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

Gover 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

Gover 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 Gover 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 Gover, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gover

The surname Gover is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from an old English word "gover" or "gofair," which referred to a person who was a landowner or landholder. The name may have been initially used to identify individuals who held a significant amount of property or land.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Gover can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and property holdings in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 11th century.

The Gover surname is primarily associated with the counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset in the southwest of England. Some early variations of the spelling include Gofer, Gofair, and Goffer, which further supports the connection to the old English word "gover."

One notable individual with the surname Gover was Sir Richard Gover, a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament who lived in the 15th century (c. 1420-1495). He held significant estates in Gloucestershire and served as Sheriff of the county.

Another historical figure was John Gover, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Wiltshire who lived during the 16th century (c. 1510-1580). He was involved in the wool trade and is recorded as having owned several properties in the region.

In the 17th century, Thomas Gover (c. 1620-1692) was a prominent Puritan minister and author from Somerset. He wrote several religious treatises and served as the vicar of various parishes in the area.

During the 18th century, William Gover (c. 1720-1795) was a successful businessman and landowner based in Gloucestershire. He amassed a considerable fortune through his agricultural and commercial ventures.

Another notable individual was Elizabeth Gover (c. 1780-1845), a philanthropist and social reformer from Wiltshire. She was known for her efforts in improving the living conditions of the poor and establishing schools for underprivileged children.

While the Gover surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora over the centuries. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in the southwestern counties of England, where it was closely associated with landownership and property holdings.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gover families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gover 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. Middlesex leads with 164 Govers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.18x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 164 2.18x
Dorset 111 22.52x
Hampshire 88 5.72x
Devon 81 5.18x
Somerset 77 6.37x
Surrey 67 1.83x
Gloucestershire 50 3.39x
Glamorgan 28 2.14x
Monmouthshire 16 2.95x
Kent 10 0.39x
Lancashire 10 0.11x
Sussex 10 0.79x
Wiltshire 8 1.20x
Northumberland 6 0.54x
Staffordshire 6 0.24x
Lincolnshire 5 0.42x
Cornwall 4 0.47x
Worcestershire 4 0.41x
Yorkshire 4 0.05x
Aberdeenshire 3 0.43x
Berkshire 3 0.53x
Essex 3 0.20x
Derbyshire 2 0.17x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.20x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.84x
Royal Navy 2 2.23x
Berwickshire 1 1.10x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.21x
Norfolk 1 0.09x
Northamptonshire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 34 Govers recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.23x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth St Andrew 34 28.23x
Battersea 24 8.68x
Portsea 24 7.95x
Ottery St Mary 23 224.17x
Chew Magna 22 518.87x
Camberwell 21 4.38x
Islington London 20 2.75x
Corfe Castle 18 393.87x
Wareham Holy Trinity 17 790.70x
Walcot 14 21.74x
Horfield 13 87.72x
Kensington London 12 2.87x
St Pancras London 12 1.98x
Wareham Lady St Mary 12 314.96x
Bethnal Green London 11 3.37x
Clutton 10 380.23x
Crediton 10 67.52x
Hampstead London 10 8.55x
Street 10 152.91x
Church Knowle 9 625.00x
Hackney London 9 2.14x
Twyford 9 244.57x
Bitton Oldland 8 53.12x
Cardiff St John 8 18.73x
Coulsdon 8 120.30x
Finchley 8 27.78x
Llangeinor 8 103.90x
St George In East London 8 11.32x
Westbury On Trym 8 16.03x
Brighton 7 2.74x
Chelsea London 7 3.09x
Clerkenwell London 7 3.95x
Dawlish 7 60.03x
Deptford St Paul 7 3.54x
Kinson 7 72.69x
Nursling 7 284.55x
Risca 7 68.36x
South Stoneham 7 20.96x
Bristol St Augustine 6 25.24x
Edmonton 6 9.91x
Great Barr 6 206.90x
Liverpool 6 1.11x
Lytchett Matravers 6 337.08x
Melcombe Regis 6 29.37x
Paddington London 6 2.17x
St George Hanover Square 6 4.53x
Trevethin 6 11.70x
Weston 6 64.52x
Bedminster 5 4.40x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 3.60x
Cardiff St Mary 5 6.94x
Clifton 5 6.71x
Fareham 5 27.03x
Lambeth 5 0.76x
Merthyr Tydfil 5 3.98x
Newcastle On Tyne St 5 8.63x
Southampton All Sts 5 18.93x
St Marylebone London 5 1.25x
Tyneham 5 704.23x
Bruton 4 84.03x
Ealing 4 5.96x
Great Grimsby 4 5.25x
Limehouse London 4 4.85x
Longfleet 4 70.05x
Mere 4 52.98x
St Thomas Winchester 4 36.80x
Swindon 4 7.76x
Tottenham 4 3.34x
Woking 4 18.13x
Bedwellty 3 3.13x
Hornsey 3 3.16x
Northolt 3 234.38x
Poole St James 3 16.20x
Puddletown 3 99.34x
South Hayling 3 109.49x
St Bartholomew Hyde 3 81.52x
St Clement Danes London 3 19.31x
Stoke Newington London 3 5.13x
Swanage 3 49.26x
Willesden 3 4.24x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 47
William 42
George 29
Henry 28
Charles 27
James 20
Edward 12
Arthur 11
Thomas 11
Alfred 10
Joseph 10
Albert 6
Ernest 6
Frank 6
Lewis 6
Samuel 6
Frederick 4
Harry 4
Richard 4
Walter 4
David 3
Edwin 3
Herbert 3
Robert 3
Tom 3
Adolphus 2
Benjamin 2
Earnest 2
Edgar 2
Edmund 2
Fred 2
Hugh 2
Austin 1
Benjn.Jno. 1
Carey 1
Charley 1
Darwin 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
G. 1
Garabaldi 1
Hubert 1
Isaac 1
Jane 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Josiah 1
Leslie 1
Lovell 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Gover surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gover surname in 1881?

In 1881, 769 people were recorded with the Gover surname. That placed it at #4,804 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gover surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 840 in 2016. That gives Gover a modern rank of #6,645.

What does the Gover surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a local governor or overseer.

What does the Gover map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gover 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.