Surname Biven - Meaning and Origin

Biven: What does the surname Biven mean?

The last name Biven is derived from an English toponymic surname, and might refer either to former residents of the village of Byven in the county of West Sussex or to a variant of the town name Beven, which is present in Devon and Herefordshire.

The origins of the Byven spelling of the name can be traced back as far as the 12th century, and in 1202 it is recorded as Byvene. During the reign of Edward III in the 14th century, Roger de Byvene was registered as owning several acres of land in the village. In the 17th century the surname increased in popularity, particularly in the south and midwest of England, and a century later, the spelling of Biven was recorded in the county of Hereford, most likely as a variant of the Devon-originating town name.

It is likely that the name Biven is derived from a combination of two old English words, meaning byrgen meaning barrow and dene meaning valley. Thus the name Biven could have been created to mark a person who lived near or within a valley with a barrow of some description. Another suggested meaning is sweet water, although this is less likely given the localisation of the name.

The surname Biven is not known as being particularly widespread today, although there are some with this surname living in Britain, as well as in the United States, Canada and Australia. The vast majority of people who bear the name will share a common ancestor from the south and midwest of England, where it first began to enjoy some degree of popularity.

Biven: Where does the name Biven come from?

The last name Biven is of British origin, and is today most commonly found in England, although it is also found in Wales and Scotland. In England, the majority of individuals with the surname Biven are concentrated in the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The name is believed to be an occupational surname in origin, derived from the Middle English "bivin," meaning "by-dweller" or "one who lives near a particular place." Variations of the name include Beavin, Bivion, Bivens, Bivins and Bivin.

The name is also found in certain other countries. It is most common in Ireland, where it is found primarily in the counties of Cork and Kerry, but is also present in other parts of the country. It has also been found in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Due to the wide dispersal of the Biven surname, it is likely that there is no single "root" family; rather, the name has arisen in multiple locations over the centuries as a result of shifting populations and economic and social conditions.

Variations of the surname Biven

The surname BIVEN is derived from the Old English given name Beofwine. Variations of the surname include Bevin, Beaven, Bives, and Bevins.

Biven is the most common version of the surname, but this is likely a blend of Bevin and Beaven. It can also be found spelled as Bevind, Beving, Beuving, Beven, Bivon, and Bevin.

The form Bevins is a combination of Bevin and Beven and is likely a transitional form between the two. It is common in some areas in the United Kingdom, including Cornwall and Sussex.

Bives is another variation on this surname, but is much less common than Biven and Bevins. Bives is derived from Beofwine, the origin of the surname.

The form Beaven is more common in the United States than in the United Kingdom, although it is still found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Beaven could also be a remnant of the Old English "beuwin," meaning "victor."

In some cases, the surname Biven can also be found with the spelling Bivene. This variation is more common in Cornwall, England.

All of these variants are derived from the Root Name Beofwine and are probably descendents from the same clan of people. They are all recognized as spellings of the same name.

Famous people with the name Biven

• Trace Biven: Actor, best known as the voice of ‘Boy’ in the 2017 movie, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
• Justin Biven: American speed skater and Olympian
• Chris Biven: British celebrity chef and food critic
• Lauren Biven: Professional ballerina for the Royal Ballet UK
• Mark Biven: Country music singer-songwriter signed to Curb Records
• Lauren Biven-Young: Award-winning Broadway producer
• Amy Biven: Actress, writer, and producer; creator of the hit web series Girl.com
• Tony Biven: Professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the New Jersey Devils
• Kinta Biven: Actor and film producer best known for his roles in the films 80 Minutes, Dead Script and Junk
• Jonathan Biven: Actor best known for his roles in the films Simian Line, Anazel, and Saracen

Other surnames

BivensBiver