The name Grover has its origins in Old English and is derived from two words: 'gro', meaning to grow or thrive, and 'ver', which refers to a grove or small forest. Thus, the name Grover essentially means 'prosperous grove' or 'thriving woods'.

During the Middle Ages, the name Grover was relatively common in England and parts of Normandy, where it was typically associated with those who lived near or worked in wooded areas. Its earliest known usage can be traced back to the 11th century, with records showing a Grover de Bucton living in Lincolnshire, England, around 1086.

In terms of historical references, the name Grover does not appear to have been prominently featured in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, it was not entirely uncommon among the Anglo-Saxon population in medieval England.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Grover was Grover de Bois, a Norman landowner who lived in Wiltshire, England, in the late 12th century. Another notable figure was Grover de Montfort, a 13th-century knight and member of the influential Montfort family.

In the 15th century, a Grover Chaucer, believed to be a distant relative of the renowned poet Geoffrey Chaucer, was recorded as a merchant and landowner in London. During the 16th century, Grover Smythe, born in 1512, was a prominent English lawyer and member of the Privy Council under Queen Elizabeth I.

Moving into more recent history, Grover Cleveland, born in 1837 and died in 1908, was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, serving two non-consecutive terms from 1885 to 1889 and 1893 to 1897. He is the only president to have been elected to non-consecutive terms.

Another notable Grover was Grover Loening, an American aeronautical engineer and aircraft builder, born in 1888 and died in 1976. He is credited with designing and building some of the earliest successful commercial aircraft and is considered a pioneer in the field of aviation.