Shiver
An English surname that likely began as a nickname, perhaps for someone quick, brisk, or sharp in movement or speech.
The #7,812 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 72,852 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is most likely from an English nickname built on the verb “shiver,” meaning to tremble or shake, or more loosely to move suddenly or briskly. In older surname collections, it is grouped with other names of descriptive origin rather than with occupational or place names. The exact nickname sense is not certain, but it probably referred to some noticeable physical or behavioral trait.
History
The name appears in English surname lists and is borne today in the United States, where it remains relatively uncommon. Historical references also show related forms such as Shivers and Shiverick, suggesting a small family cluster or a set of regional spelling variants. Because the early evidence is sparse and indirect, the surname’s precise origin is uncertain.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same English word-family that produced this surname also generated a number of lively old nicknames in early surname books, including names built on shudder-, shimmer-, and shatter-.
From the historical record
“Breafcbalk.— Nick. J one who could win at the balk-staff, or quar- ter-staff; one who could shiver his opponent's lance : c£ Breakspear, V. Balk, ji6. 14 (H.E.D,), Adam Brekebalk, 1979 : P. T. Yorki. p.«)8.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances