3,218 Global Gove Family Members

Gove Family History

This unusual surname is of early medieval Scottish origin, and is an occupational name for a worker in metal, deriving from the Old Gaelic "gobha", smith. Metal-working was one of the earliest occupations for which specialist skills were required, and medieval smiths were important not only in making horseshoes and plough-shares, but above all for their skill in forging swords, other weapons and armour. In Scotland, the smith was a man of importance in most of the clans, so that the name has no particular connection with any one clan.