The Dove Family History

What Does the Dove Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Dove has its origins in both Scotland and England, deriving from the Gaelic word ‘dubh,’ which translates to black or dark. This term may also denote an individual with a darker complexion. Additionally, it is related to the Old English term ‘dufe,’ which pertains to a gentle or mild-mannered person. Variations in the spelling of Dove include Dew, Dow, McDuff, McDow, Doves, and Duff. In England, the earliest records of the Dove family can be traced to the Berwickshire area. Over time, this surname has proliferated across much of the country, extending into certain counties of Wales. Currently, the majority of Dove families are found in Yorkshire, Durham, Lanarkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Essex, Kent, Hampshire, and the metropolitan area of London. In Scotland, the highest concentration of individuals bearing the Dove surname is situated in Lanarkshire, Midlothian, Angus, Selkirkshire, Aberdeenshire, Fife, and Argyll. In the United States, the progenitors of the Dove family initially established themselves in states such as Virginia, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, New York, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. Noteworthy individuals bearing the Dove surname include Ed Dove, a professional football player; Daphna Dove, a singer; Jonathan Dove, an English composer recognized for his operatic works; Patrick Edward Dove, a 19th-century Scottish author; Toni Dove, an artist; Billie Dove, an actress from the early film era; Arthur Garfield Dove, an abstract artist; Charles Dove, an English footballer; Rita Dove, a distinguished writer and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet; Dennis Dove, a professional baseball player; and Bob Dove, another professional football player.