Find out how popular the last name Ever is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ever.

Ever, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ever surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Ever in America

Ever is the 139757th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ever surname appeared 110 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ever.

The history of the last name Ever

The surname Ever is relatively uncommon and exhibits a rich etymological and historical lineage. The origin of the surname can be traced back to Northern Europe, particularly England and the Low Countries, around the medieval period. Early forms of the name suggest that it may have been derived from Old English or Old Germanic elements. In Old English, the word eofor means "wild boar," an animal symbolizing bravery and strength, which might have influenced the usage and adoption of the name among early bearers.

Historical records indicate that variations of the surname Ever were present as early as the 12th century. One of the earliest references to a similar form is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where individuals such as "Evor" are mentioned in various entries related to land and holdings, though these may be variations or related forms. The surname also appears in medieval manuscripts and ecclesiastical documents, often in contexts related to land ownership and local governance.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Ever specifically, without variants, appears in English church records from the 14th century. For instance, a John Ever is noted in parish registers dating back to 1372 in the county of Essex. This suggests that by this time, the name had emerged in its more recognizable modern form.

In the 15th century, there is documentation of a Thomas Ever, born in 1425, who is noted in the rolls of the Winchester Guild. This reference indicates that the Ever family was involved in trade guilds, a common occupation during the period that provided socioeconomic status and influence.

Moving forward to the 16th century, records show William Ever, who lived from 1501 to 1567, was a prominent figure in Norfolk. His will, dated 1565, is preserved in the county archives, revealing significant details about his family and property. This document is pivotal for understanding the surname's distribution and standing within English society during the Tudor period.

In the early modern period, the Ever surname spread beyond England to other parts of the British Isles and the continent. An example from the 17th century includes Elizabeth Ever, born in 1611 and recorded in parish registers in Amsterdam. Migration and maritime commerce likely facilitated the dissemination of the surname as families moved throughout Europe and beyond.

By the 18th century, the Ever name can be found in colonial records of North America. Among these is a noteworthy individual, Captain Richard Ever, born in 1730, who served as a ship captain and merchant in the American colonies. His activities are well-documented in port logs and trading company records, indicating an established presence of the surname in the New World by this period.

Throughout its history, the surname Ever has been associated with various fields including trade, agriculture, and governance, reflecting the adaptability and integration of its bearers into different societal roles. From its origins in medieval England to its spread across Europe and into the Americas, the surname Ever embodies a lineage that is both rich in heritage and indicative of the diverse pathways of family names through centuries of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ever

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ever.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ever was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ever was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ever, please contact us.

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