Dave
Usually a short form of names like David, Dave is a familiar given-name-derived surname or byname.
The #6,504 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 59,169 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Dave is best understood as a reduced form of the given name David, ultimately from Hebrew David, meaning “beloved.” In English it became a familiar pet form, and in some cases such short forms were taken up as surnames. Because the surname is so brief, some records may also reflect a nickname or an abbreviated spelling rather than a distinct older family name.
History
The historical excerpts provided do not contain a clear dictionary entry for DAVE itself, so the derivation is inferred from general naming patterns. As a surname, it is uncommon and likely arose independently in a small number of families from the personal name Dave/David. Modern bearers are concentrated in English-speaking countries, especially the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Dave is one of the few surnames that looks exactly like a very common first name, which can make old records tricky to index and search.
From the historical record
“LaTckh Dawa. to. Oaf., 1173. A. Richard £1. Dave, en. Bncka ibid. Uawc RotHon, CD. Yoik, I47J. W.ii iy>y Harried — ThoRiBi Dawa an Bennett Jadlnj! St. Jaa. Clcrltcnwcl”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances