Stover

Meaning and origin

The last name Stover originates from Germany, specifically from the region of Bavaria. It is derived from the occupational name "Stoever," meaning a grain merchant or a person who measured and sold grain. The name eventually evolved into Stover over time, and it spread to other German-speaking regions and beyond through emigration and migration.

The longer story

The last name Stover is derived from the Middle English word "stovere," which originally referred to a person who managed or worked in a pantry or storeroom. The surname Stover could have also been derived from the Old English word "stofor," meaning a "young woodpecker," or alternatively from the Old English word "staf," meaning "stave or club." Additionally, the name Stover might have originated as a variant of the German surname Stauffer, which was an occupational name for a tailor, derived from the Middle High German word "stouf."

As for its geographical distribution, the name Stover is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. It is worth noting that earlier records suggest a concentration of the Stover surname in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania, specifically in Lancaster and Berks Counties, where many Stovers in North America can trace their ancestry.

William F. Stover, who lived from 1834 to 1907, was a respected Civil War veteran and later became a representative in the U.S. Congress from Iowa. Furthermore, George F. Stover, Sr., an entrepreneur and philanthropist, founded Stover Candies, a confectionery company that gained popularity in the early 20th century.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.