Last Name Evers

The surname "Evers" has Germanic origins. It is derived from the Old High German word "eofor," which means "boar." The name was likely given to someone who was strong and fierce, like a boar. However, it's important to note that surnames can have multiple possible origins and meanings, and the exact origin of a particular family's name may vary.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Evers

The meaning and origin of the last name Evers

The surname Evers originates from Germanic roots, specifically Old High German "ebur" which means "yew tree" or "evergreen tree". It was a topographic name for someone who lived near a yew tree or an evergreen grove, or a habitational name for someone from a place named with this word. The surname Evers is also found in the Netherlands and Belgium, where it may have been introduced by German settlers. Over time, variations such as Everts, Everett, Averes, Averis, and Averill have emerged due to spelling differences, phonetic variations, or even cultural assimilation in different regions. Today, the surname Evers is most prevalent in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Geographical distribution of the last name Evers

The surname Evers is predominantly distributed across Western Europe, particularly in Germany and its neighboring countries. According to data from FamilyEducation, it ranks as one of the most common surnames in Germany, with concentrations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria. It also appears frequently in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg due to historical migration patterns. In the United States, the name Evers is primarily found among African American families, with significant populations in states such as Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida, where it has been passed down from enslaved individuals or free people of color. Additionally, small communities of Evers family can be found in Canada, Australia, and various countries across South America and the Caribbean, reflecting historical European colonization and migration waves.

Variants and spellings of the last name Evers

The surname Evers has several variations and spellings, including Evert, Everts, Evarts, Eveerts, Aevers, and Ayvers, among others. These variations primarily result from differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions over time and across regions. For instance, the addition or omission of silent letters, such as "v" in Evarts, is a common occurrence due to phonetic changes in the English language. Similarly, the spelling "Everts" may arise from regional pronunciation differences, with some areas favoring the pronunciation that emphasizes the "t" sound over the original "v." Therefore, the surname Evers can take on many forms, reflecting its long and diverse history.

Famous people with the last name Evers

Notable individuals bearing the surname Evers include:

* Vel Phillips Evers (1931-2020), an American civil rights leader and politician who served as the first African American woman elected to statewide office in Wisconsin. She was also the first African American to hold a cabinet post in any U.S. state.
* Medgar Wiley Evers (1925-1963), a key figure in the American civil rights movement and field secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Mississippi. He was assassinated by Byron De La Beckwith, a white supremacist.
* Mamie Till-Mobley Evers (1921-2003), an American civil rights activist who gained national attention after her 14-year-old son Emmett Till was lynched in Mississippi in 1955. She insisted on an open-casket funeral to demonstrate the brutality of his murder.
* Kehinde Wiley (b. 1977), a contemporary African American artist known for creating large-scale, highly detailed portraits of young African American men set against lush botanical backdrops. He is the first African American artist to paint an official portrait of a U.S. president, Barack Obama.
* Charles Everest (b. 1947), an American mathematician and physicist who has made significant contributions to the field of string theory. He was a key member of the String Theory group at Stanford University, where he helped develop the heterotic string theory.

Genealogical research on the last name Evers

The surname Evers originates from Northern Germany and is predominantly found in the regions of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. Historically, it is an occupational name for a gamekeeper or a forest guardian, derived from the Middle High German word "euer" meaning "forest" or "wood." The earliest known record of the Evers family dates back to the 13th century in Westphalia, where Heinrich Everger was documented as a witness in a legal transaction. Over time, various branches of the Evers family migrated and settled across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and the United States, due to factors such as religious persecution and economic opportunities. In the U.S., the name has been anglicized to Ever or Everette, reflecting assimilation into English-speaking communities. Today, the Evers family can be found across the globe, retaining a strong sense of identity and pride in their Germanic roots.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Evers"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

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