Surname Raven - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Raven: What does the surname Raven mean?
The last name Raven is of Scottish origin and its meaning is thought to be derived from the Scottish Gaelic words "Reamhan" or "Ràmhan" which translates to mean "Shout or Roar". It is likely that the name was taken on by a family who was so loud that they were known for their shouting or roaring.
The Raven family was also associated with a bird as the name is also the same of the large black bird. This could suggest that the original family were known for voicing their opinions in a powerful way. Even today, the black raven is a symbol of power and intelligence. The Raven family could have been known for their strength and intelligence, which is why the name stuck.
The Ravens have renowned to possess a strong sense of justice and since they were associated with the massive black bird, it is likely that people believed the family could see things others couldn't. This assumption likely increased their strength over time.
The name Raven is also believed to have travelled over from Northern Germany and Holland, where it was used as a last name by families who were either based in or had travelled from Scotland.
Regardless of its origin, the name Raven has come to be associated with strength, power, intelligence, and justice. To many, the name Raven stands for wisdom, discernment, and insight.
Order DNA origin analysisRaven: Where does the name Raven come from?
The last name Raven is mostly found in the United Kingdom today. It can be traced back to many centuries ago; records show that the name was first referenced in the 11th century in the form of Ravon or Ravun.
Raven is most commonly found in England, but also in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. In England, the surname is highest in the northern counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Durham, although it can be found throughout the entire country.
The last name Raven is most likely derived from the Old English word, rafn, meaning a ‘raven’ or a ‘seagull’. This suggests that it was originally given to an individual who was associated with or resembled the bird.
In addition to the UK, the last name can also be found in other former British countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, as well as in other parts of Europe such as Germany, Austria, Spain and Portugal.
The last name Raven is also quite popular throughout the world today; there are more than 16,000 individuals who bear the last name in the United States alone according to the 2000 Census.
Variations of the surname Raven
The surname Raven has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variation of Raven is Ravon, but there are also Reven, Ravin, Reaven, Revean and Raevin. Raven is also a variation of the Scottish surname MacCraven, which is also spelled MacCraevan, MacRaveen, and MacReaven.
In England, the surname Raven can also be found spelled Ravene, Ravan, Reven, and Riders. In Scotland, the Raven name is often spelled Ravane, Revene, Revens, Ravinne, and Ravanne. In Ireland, the common spellings are Raen, Raeven, Raeves, and Raevens.
In Germany, the Raven surname is spelled Räven, Rävens, Räwens, Reevens, and Röven. Netherlands spellings include Ravene, Ravent, Raveyn, and Ravenn. In France, the Raven name is seen as Ravenne, Ravens, Ravonne, Ravon, and Ravont; while Spanish-speaking countries spell it Ravén and Ravines.
The Raven surname has been found in many ethnic groups; however, it is most commonly found among Celtic and Anglo-Saxon groups. It is also very prevalent among French Canadians, as the name was brought to New France by French settlers in the early colonial period.
In all its various forms, Raven is an ancient surname, first found in Europe before the end of the first millennium. It is believed to have originally been a name that referred to a person who lived near or owned land near a body of water, such as a river or pond.
Famous people with the name Raven
- Raven Symone: American actress, singer and songwriter
- Puma Raven: British-born actor
- Julie Raven: American actress
- Lisa Raven: American actress
- Don Raven- Australian cricketer
- Brian Raven: British actor
- Rachel Raven: American artist
- Ryan Raven: American soccer player
- Sean Raven: British television presenter
- Aaron Raven: American pornographic actor
- Jac Raven: Australian actress
- Matt Raven: English actor
- Mireille Raven: Dutch actress and model
- Isolde Raven: German model
- Robert Raven: Spanish court painter
- Carmen Raven: Spanish pop singer
- Tomas Raven: Swedish pitcher
- Helen Raven: English actress
- Tessa Raven: Canadian singer-songwriter
- Franz Raven: German painter