Karver: Last Name Origin and Family Crest

Behind the Karver surname stands Carver, an English name that clerks and families wrote in more than one way. The name is generally explained as “Woodcarver, or ploughman”.

You may also find the name written Kerver. Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists. The two spellings differ in a small detail: Karver has “k” where Carver has “c”.

Looking for a Karver coat of arms? Arms were granted to families, not to surnames, and our research shows which heraldic tradition fits yours. Want more than a summary? See the Karver family name pack.