NameCensus.

UK surname

Govier

A French surname derived from the old French word "gouvier" meaning "helmsman".

In the 1881 census there were 584 people recorded with the Govier surname, ranking it #5,979 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,105, ranked #5,318, up from #5,979 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to North Molton, Highbray, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon, Mendip and Aylesbury Vale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Govier is 1,163 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 89.2%.

1881 census count

584

Ranked #5,979

Modern count

1,105

2016, ranked #5,318

Peak year

2000

1,163 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Govier had 584 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,979 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,105 in 2016, ranked #5,318.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 888 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Govier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Govier surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Govier 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 394 #6,105
1861 historical 278 #8,998
1881 historical 584 #5,979
1891 historical 710 #5,533
1901 historical 781 #5,750
1911 historical 888 #5,012
1997 modern 1,097 #5,084
1998 modern 1,154 #5,038
1999 modern 1,151 #5,107
2000 modern 1,163 #5,032
2001 modern 1,119 #5,097
2002 modern 1,143 #5,115
2003 modern 1,112 #5,127
2004 modern 1,093 #5,215
2005 modern 1,065 #5,280
2006 modern 1,070 #5,245
2007 modern 1,059 #5,346
2008 modern 1,068 #5,342
2009 modern 1,106 #5,304
2010 modern 1,133 #5,300
2011 modern 1,140 #5,215
2012 modern 1,093 #5,320
2013 modern 1,117 #5,306
2014 modern 1,119 #5,321
2015 modern 1,090 #5,387
2016 modern 1,105 #5,318

Geography

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Where Goviers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around North Molton, Highbray, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Dulverton, Brompton Regis. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon, Mendip, Aylesbury Vale and Mid Devon. 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 North Molton, Highbray Devon
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Dulverton, Brompton Regis Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 013 North Devon
2 Mendip 014 Mendip
3 North Devon 014 North Devon
4 Aylesbury Vale 023 Aylesbury Vale
5 Mid Devon 010 Mid Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Govier

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Govier

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Govier, 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 Govier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Govier 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Govier is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Govier is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Govier falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Govier 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 Govier, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Govier

The surname GOVIER is an English locational name that originated in the county of Somerset, England. It is derived from the Old English word "gofer," meaning "land partly surrounded by streams." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a water-surrounded area or meadow.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GOVIER can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset from 1327, where it appears as "Govyer." This spelling variation highlights the surname's evolution over time. Another early record of the name is found in the Feet of Fines for Somerset in 1397, where it is spelled "Govyour."

The GOVIER surname is also closely associated with the village of Govier, located in the parish of East Brent, Somerset. This connection suggests that some of the earliest bearers of the name may have hailed from or lived near this area. The village's name is thought to have derived from the Old English words "gofer" and "feld," meaning "land partly surrounded by streams in a field."

Historically, the GOVIER surname has been linked to several notable individuals. One prominent figure was Robert Govier (c.1540-1625), an English merchant and philanthropist from Somerset. He is known for his contributions to the establishment of the Merchant Taylors' School in Taunton.

Another noteworthy GOVIER was John Govier (1662-1724), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Ilchester in Somerset from 1710 to 1722. He was also a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant for Somerset.

In the 18th century, John Govier (1697-1782) was a prominent lawyer and landowner from Somerset. He served as the High Sheriff of Somerset in 1759.

Moving into the 19th century, William Govier (1808-1889) was a British architect and surveyor from Somerset. He designed several notable buildings in the region, including the Taunton Municipal Buildings and the Monmouth Street Congregational Chapel in Taunton.

Lastly, Herbert Govier (1886-1960) was a British artist and sculptor known for his works depicting rural life in Somerset. He was born in the village of East Brent, where the GOVIER surname has its roots.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Govier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Govier 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. Devon leads with 152 Goviers recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.77x.

County Total Index
Devon 152 12.77x
Somerset 146 15.87x
Middlesex 69 1.21x
Glamorgan 34 3.42x
Gloucestershire 32 2.85x
Buckinghamshire 24 6.94x
Dorset 22 5.86x
Surrey 15 0.54x
Wiltshire 10 1.98x
Worcestershire 10 1.34x
Cornwall 9 1.39x
Yorkshire 9 0.16x
Hampshire 7 0.60x
Lancashire 7 0.10x
Huntingdonshire 6 5.29x
Kent 5 0.26x
Staffordshire 5 0.26x
Essex 4 0.35x
Leicestershire 4 0.63x
Brecknockshire 3 2.62x
Channel Islands 3 1.77x
Sussex 3 0.31x
Berkshire 1 0.23x
Cheshire 1 0.08x
Hertfordshire 1 0.25x
Lincolnshire 1 0.11x
Norfolk 1 0.11x
Oxfordshire 1 0.28x
Royal Navy 1 1.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Taunton St James in Somerset leads with 39 Goviers recorded in 1881 and an index of 290.61x.

Place Total Index
Taunton St James 39 290.61x
North Molton 27 1163.79x
St John Near Swansea 16 129.98x
Kensington London 15 4.72x
Exeter St Sidwell 13 47.71x
Taunton St Mary 13 76.97x
Hendon 12 58.34x
Lyme Regis 12 267.26x
Chulmleigh 11 405.90x
St George Hanover Square 11 10.92x
Bathwick 10 98.23x
Brill 10 395.26x
Redditch 10 66.05x
Upton 10 1785.71x
Bradninch 9 267.86x
Burrington 9 596.03x
Glastonbury 9 119.84x
Paddington London 9 4.28x
Silverton 9 362.90x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 8 7.58x
Dulverton 8 297.40x
Oakley 8 975.61x
Kings Nympton 7 569.11x
Tiverton 7 34.15x
Tormoham 7 13.90x
Weston Super Mare 7 30.13x
Aldershot 6 15.29x
Brompton Regis 6 600.00x
Croydon 6 3.88x
Great Raveley 6 1500.00x
Ilfracombe 6 48.98x
Islington London 6 1.08x
Painswick 6 75.66x
St Pancras London 6 1.30x
Stapleton 6 28.21x
Swindon 6 15.30x
Thorverton 6 331.49x
Walcot 6 12.24x
Aberdare 5 7.32x
Avening 5 126.26x
Calstock 5 39.40x
Hemyock 5 282.49x
Ide 5 384.62x
Kingweston 5 1724.14x
Leek Lowe 5 19.48x
Pitminster 5 185.19x
Shafton 5 595.24x
Sidmouth 5 73.42x
Stawley 5 1666.67x
Tottington Lower End 5 15.51x
Whitchurch Canonicorum 5 239.23x
Wolverton 5 69.93x
Cardiff St John 4 12.30x
Deptford St Paul 4 2.66x
Leicester St Margaret 4 2.59x
Puddington 4 952.38x
Roath 4 8.85x
Ruishton 4 430.11x
Salisbury St Martin 4 76.05x
Sculcoates 4 4.45x
Stoke St Mary 4 888.89x
Stratton 4 113.96x
Uplyme 4 224.72x
West Ham 4 1.61x
Westbury On Trym 4 10.53x
Willesden 4 7.42x
Bermondsey 3 1.76x
Hackney London 3 0.94x
Lambeth 3 0.60x
Llanelly 3 21.93x
St Helier 3 5.44x
Stoke Damerel 3 3.60x
Wembworthy 3 352.94x
Brighton 2 1.03x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 5.35x
Chard 2 17.94x
Everton 2 0.93x
Lopen 2 289.86x
Nether Stowey 2 138.89x
Thorncombe 2 92.59x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 41
Sarah 24
Elizabeth 23
Emily 16
Ann 15
Ellen 14
Eliza 12
Jane 11
Alice 9
Emma 7
Caroline 6
Maria 6
Martha 6
Annie 5
Catherine 5
Margaret 5
Rose 5
Bessie 4
Clara 4
Florence 4
Harriet 4
Agnes 3
Anna 3
Charlotte 3
Louisa 3
Lucy 3
Minnie 3
Susan 3
Fanny 2
Florrie 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Kate 2
Lillie 2
Bessey 1
Bessy 1
Betsey 1
Betsy 1
Dinah 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Elizabath 1
Elizth 1
Elsie 1
Helen 1
Henerietta 1
Henrietta 1
Virginia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 42
John 34
George 25
Henry 21
Thomas 12
Richard 10
Frederick 9
James 9
Charles 8
Robert 7
Samuel 7
Albert 6
Walter 6
Edward 5
Alfred 4
Arthur 4
Edwin 4
Francis 4
Herbert 4
Frank 3
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Peter 3
Reuben 3
Chas. 2
Clifford 2
Ernest 2
Jacob 2
Jethro 2
Sam 2
Albet 1
Amos 1
Chas.B. 1
Curstian 1
F. 1
Fred 1
Fred.Wm.John 1
Fredrick 1
Gilbert 1
L.J. 1
Obed 1
Oliver 1
P.F. 1
Philip 1
Ralph 1
Reubin 1
Robt. 1
Simeon 1
Soloman 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Govier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Govier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 584 people were recorded with the Govier surname. That placed it at #5,979 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Govier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,105 in 2016. That gives Govier a modern rank of #5,318.

What does the Govier surname mean?

A French surname derived from the old French word "gouvier" meaning "helmsman".

What does the Govier map show?

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