Surname Tavener - Meaning and Origin

Tavener: What does the surname Tavener mean?

The surname Tavener is of English origin, deriving from the Old French word "tavernier," meaning a tavern keeper. The term was used in Medieval England for people who owned or ran taverns, a crucial hub of life and commerce in medieval towns and cities. The name may have been given as an occupational one, indicating the initial bearer's job. The name has various forms and spelling variations including Tavernier, Tavenor, and Tavner. Like many surnames that originated from an occupation, the distribution of the name Tavener stretched far beyond the profession itself, carried down through generations. It is widely recognised due to notable bearers such as John Tavener, a British composer known for his extensive output of religious works.

Tavener: Where does the name Tavener come from?

The last name Tavener is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It originated as a topographic name which referred to someone who lived near a taveiner, an old word for a whittawer or leatherworker. It is most common in the regions of Cumbria, Lancashire, and Yorkshire in the north of England, where it is the 158th most common name.

In Scotland the name is more uncommon, but is still found; the frequency of the name is similar to countries like Australia, Bangladesh, and Finland. Outside of these countries, it is most commonly found in the United States, with the greatest number of Taveners in California.

In England, many Taveners originate from the Alciston area of East Sussex. There is an old family home, known as the Taveoner Homestead, which dates back to the early 1700s. The surname is often connected to villages like Trevethin, a small hamlet near Staverton in Devon, and Taveners Green, a hamlet near Colchester in Essex.

The last name Tavener is a relatively uncommon one, but it is still found in the UK and other countries. It is a name with a long history and is often associated with villages and places in the UK, as well as families that have long since called those places home.

Variations of the surname Tavener

Tavener is either an English or an Irish surname with a variety of spellings and variants. In England, the variants include Tavenar, Tavenor, and Tavener. All have the same root spelling.

In Ireland, the most common variant is Tavinor and other notable variants include Taffinor, Tevvinor, Tevener, Tevnàr, Taiffinor, and Tavannor.

Irish spelling variants of the surname usually appear in the Connacht area, as well as other parts of Ireland such as Dublin, Cork, and Galway. They are most likely derived from the English surname.

The origin of the name is unclear, but it is believed to be derived from the word “taverner,” a person who owned or ran a tavern. It may also have originated from the Middle English word “taverner,” which was used to describe someone who chiefly sold wine and other beverages. Other possible origins include the Old French word “taverne,” which means an inn or an alehouse, and the Old English word “tafa,” which means tap.

In Scotland, the variants are similar to those in England and Ireland, with Tavener being the most common variant. However, CampbelTavener is another variant of the surname, which is more likely derived from an English or Scottish place name. It is also possible that the surname is derived from a nickname.

Thus, the variants, spellings, and surnames of Tavener have a variety of origins, ranging from an occupation to a place name or nickname.

Famous people with the name Tavener

• John Tavener (1944-2013): British composer regarded as one of the most influential and innovative figures of his generation. He is best known for his song "Song for Athene", which was sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.
• David Tavener (1955-2008): English organist and composer. He was a student of John Tavener and recorded a number of albums featuring his works.
• Kye Tavener (1982-): British singer-songwriter, best known for appearing on the second series of The X Factor in 2005.
• Gary Tavener (1948-): English artist and architect, known for his collaborations with John Tavener. He has also designed buildings and projects for a number of prominent clients.
• Saffron Tavener (1994-): English model and actress. She has appeared in films such as Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift and Prowl.
• Russell Tavener (1984-): British novelist, best known for his series of dystopian novels.
• Thomas Tavener (1917-2012): English architect and a leader of the Postmodernist movement. He designed the famous Shell Centre in London.
• Manasseh Tavener (1821-1900): English chemist who developed the Tavener’s system of weights and measures.
• Jack Tavener (1928-1984): English sailor and artist, noted for his involvement in the restoration of the Cutty Sark and the Tall Ships Race.
• Paul Tavener (1960-): English documentary filmmaker, best known for his award-winning film, The Unspeakable Truth.

Other surnames

TavenierTavenner