Surname Beverly - Meaning and Origin

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H. Beverly

Beverly: What does the surname Beverly mean?

The surname Beverly is of English origin and is derived from the place name Beverley, which has been used as a given name from the 19th century onwards. The place name itself comes from Old English, consisting of the words "beofor", meaning "beaver", and "leah", meaning "wood" or "clearing". Therefore, the surname Beverly roughly translates to "beaver clearing" or "beaver meadow", suggesting that the original bearers of the name likely lived or worked in such a location. As with many surnames based on geography, it's likely that different families adopted the same last name independently, based on their association with different locations named Beverley.

Beverly: Where does the name Beverly come from?

The surname Beverly is of English origin, specifically from Yorkshire. It is derived from Beverly, a town located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The name of the town itself comes from Old English "beofor", meaning beaver and "leac" meaning stream, hence, it indicates "the beaver stream".

The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Goisbrius de Beuerlei, dating back to the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in the year 1165. Over time, the name evolved into various forms such as Beverlegh, Beverle, and finally Beverly.

Today, the surname Beverly is found in many English-speaking countries including the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. Studies suggest it is most common in the United States, particularly in the states of Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. However, as a first name, Beverly has fallen out of favor in recent years, especially in the U.S where it was once popular.

Variations of the surname Beverly

The surname Beverly originates from an English place name, from the Old English term "beofor," which means beaver, and "leah," which refers to a clearing. Hence, the roots of this surname can be traced back to a place where beavers were found. Given that it's derived from a geographic location, the name has variations that are also related to specific places in England.

Variants of Beverly include Beverley, Beverlee, Beverlie, and Beverlea. Other versions may possibly be Beeverley, Beeverly, Baverly, or Bevelery. Some might shorten it to Bev or Bevvy.

As for surnames of the same origin, the names Bever, Bevers, Beaver, Beavers are somewhat similar as they share the root "beofor" referring to a beaver. One could also consider Lee or Leigh which is the other segment of the name and pertains to a clearing or meadow.

Additionally, there are also surnames that stem from similar English place names, like Buckley (from "bok lee", meaning deer clearing/meadow), Hadley (from "hæþ lee", meaning heather clearing/meadow), or Ashley (from "æsc lee", meaning ash-tree clearing/meadow). Although they'll have different etymological meanings, they share the same "clearing or meadow" part of the surname origin.

Famous people with the name Beverly

• Frankie Beverly: An American singer and songwriter, known for his work with the band Maze, characterized by a soul/funk sound popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Derek Beverly: A famous former American football player who played for several NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers.
• Bill Beverly: An award-winning American author known for his crime novel "Dodgers."
• Justin Beverly: An American author and a motivational speaker, known for his works like "Fearless: Awakening to My Life's Purpose Through Breast Cancer."
• Elliot Beverly: A playwright known for his award-winning works, including "The Snowmaker."
• Karl Beverly: A cinematographer known for his work on short films and documentaries.
• John Beverly: An English clergyman who played first-class cricket for Kent and Oxford University in the 19th century.
• Aristea Beverly: An actress known for her roles in "The Bold Type" and "The Kissing Booth," among others.
• Mitchell Beverly: A motivational speaker and author who concentrates on business and personal growth consulting.
• Robert Beverly: An American politician who served in the California State Assembly for the 54th and 53rd districts. Please note that some of these figures might not have global recognition but are famous within specific niches or regions.

Other surnames

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