UK surname
An occupational surname for a person who tended fires, particularly in a bathhouse or brewery.
In the 1881 census there were 71 people recorded with the Stover surname, ranking it #23,517 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 37, ranked #35,582, down from #23,517 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Sutton Coldfield and Chilvers Coton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stover is 202 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.9%.
1881 census count
71
Ranked #23,517
Modern count
37
2016, ranked #35,582
Peak year
1891
202 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Stover surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Stover surname density by area, 1901 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 50 | #24,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 101 | #20,955 |
| 1881 | historical | 71 | #23,517 |
| 1891 | historical | 202 | #14,808 |
| 1901 | historical | 135 | #19,203 |
| 1911 | historical | 79 | #24,903 |
| 1997 | modern | 20 | #35,809 |
| 1998 | modern | 21 | #35,788 |
| 1999 | modern | 22 | #35,725 |
| 2000 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 18 | #36,115 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 27 | #35,588 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 25 | #36,072 |
| 2009 | modern | 28 | #35,988 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 33 | #35,777 |
| 2012 | modern | 33 | #35,767 |
| 2013 | modern | 35 | #35,697 |
| 2014 | modern | 33 | #35,843 |
| 2015 | modern | 36 | #35,654 |
| 2016 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Sutton Coldfield, Chilvers Coton, St Werburgh and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prestbury | Cheshire |
| 2 | Sutton Coldfield | Warwickshire |
| 3 | Chilvers Coton | Warwickshire |
| 4 | St Werburgh | Derbyshire |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Stover surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Stover, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Stover surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Stover household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Stover is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stover is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Stover, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Stover is of English origin, emerging in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "stofu," meaning a room or small dwelling. The name initially referred to someone who lived in a small hut or cottage, perhaps a stonemason or a craftsman.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Stover can be found in various medieval records, such as the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, which mention a Walter le Stover. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 also reference a John Stover.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname Stover was particularly prevalent in the counties of Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire in England. It is also worth noting that the name was sometimes spelled as Stovere or Stofer in early records.
One notable historical figure bearing the surname Stover was John Stover (c. 1505-1571), an English churchman and academic who served as the Archdeacon of Middlesex and a Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
Another prominent individual was Richard Stover (1573-1627), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Wiltshire and wrote several religious works, including "A Treatise on Conscience" and "A Commentary on the Book of Proverbs."
In the realm of literature, mention can be made of Wilbur D. Stover (1869-1949), an American writer and educator who authored several books, including "Life of George Washington" and "The Woodranger."
The name Stover also has connections to place names, such as Stover Park in Torbay, Devon, which was named after a family that owned the estate in the 17th century.
Another notable figure was Sir Richard Stover (1577-1629), an English Member of Parliament who represented Somerset in the House of Commons and served as the High Sheriff of Somerset in 1625.
While the surname Stover is not as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, with roots in various counties of England and connections to individuals who made significant contributions in various fields.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stover surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 16 Stovers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.31x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 16 | 2.31x |
| Surrey | 15 | 4.45x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 0.97x |
| Durham | 6 | 2.91x |
| Kent | 6 | 2.54x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 2.57x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 3.44x |
| Sussex | 3 | 2.57x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 1.85x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.29x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 2.00x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 15 Stovers recorded in 1881 and an index of 38.97x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington London | 15 | 38.97x |
| Camberwell | 7 | 15.83x |
| Chartham | 6 | 1016.95x |
| Stockton On Tees | 6 | 60.42x |
| Banstead | 5 | 549.45x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 8.02x |
| Wolstanton | 4 | 56.34x |
| Aston | 3 | 6.24x |
| Foleshill | 3 | 163.04x |
| Ifield | 3 | 612.24x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 4.97x |
| Crich | 2 | 281.69x |
| Tettenhall | 2 | 139.86x |
| Everton | 1 | 3.82x |
| Levenshulme | 1 | 117.65x |
| Newport | 1 | 41.84x |
| North Meols | 1 | 12.44x |
| Sharlston | 1 | 222.22x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 2.70x |
| Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe | 1 | 31.35x |
| Worsley | 1 | 19.76x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Stover surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Stover surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Stover households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 16 |
| (Scholar) | 4 |
| Dressmaker | 3 |
| Servant | 3 |
| Butcher Pork | 2 |
| (Domestic Servant) | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Bailiff (Farm) | 1 |
| Brick Maker | 1 |
| Captain | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Crate Maker | 1 |
| Diver | 1 |
| Draftsman (Artzn) | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Marble Stone & Carver (Mason) | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Milk Man | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Pawnbroker | 1 |
| Police Officer K C C | 1 |
| Retired Farmer | 1 |
| Telegraph Messr (C S) | 1 |
| Warehouse Girl | 1 |
| Weaver (Silk) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 71 people were recorded with the Stover surname. That placed it at #23,517 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 37 in 2016. That gives Stover a modern rank of #35,582.
An occupational surname for a person who tended fires, particularly in a bathhouse or brewery.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Stover bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.