Surname Converse - Meaning and Origin

Converse: What does the surname Converse mean?

The surname Converse is derived from the Latin word ‘conversa’, which means “conversation”. It is an occupational name given to individuals involved in the heating, selection and preparation of wool for cloth production. The word was often used to refer to a dealer or buyer of wool in medieval times.

In England and other parts of the British Isles, the surname first appeared in the 12th century. By this time, the term ‘conversa’ had come to mean a weaver or cloth seller. The surname is especially common in England because the process of cloth-making was traditionally a craft practiced in the region.

The Converse surname can also be traced back to France. It derived from the French word ‘conversant’, which meant one who spoke a foreign language fluently. The surname was also found in Germany, where it derived from the name Konrad, which is a variation of the Germanic name Conrad.

In the United States, the Converse surname is found in various forms, including Convers, Converss and Conversy. The earliest Converse ancestor in America is believed to be William Converse, who immigrated to Massachusetts in 1629.

The Converse surname celebrates the craft of weaving and selling cloth and celebrates the early move by individuals around the globe to embrace different languages and cultures. It is a reminder of how our ancestors left their homeland to explore and make a better life for themselves and their families.

Converse: Where does the name Converse come from?

The last name Converse is found across the United States and in various parts of the world. The last name, which is of Norman origin, is derived from the Latin word conversus, meaning ‘to convert’. In the United States, the last name Converse is common within the Midwestern states such as Connecticut, Illinois, and Missouri. Additionally, it is also found across the Southern states such as Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina. Moreover, Converse is a popular last name in the Great Lakes region such as Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

Additionally, the last name can also be found in various other countries such as France, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean.

In terms of frequency, the last name Converse is ranked as the 5,589th most common surname in 2020. The surname ranks highest in concentration in the New England states of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire where it is the 754th most common surname. In the United States, the last name Converse is typically spelled in its original Norman form ‘Convers’.

The last name has a strong association with the American Revolution, with several prominent Converse’s serving in the Continental Army and the American armed forces. Additionally, the Converse brand of shoes is named after the American shoemaker Marquis Mills Converse who first established the company in 1908.

Variations of the surname Converse

The surname Converse is a popular surname in both England and North America that has been established since the Middle Ages. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Converse include:

• Convers

• Convoers

• Converes

• Conyers

• Conviers

• Conveerse

• Convor

• Convore

• Conversey

• Comvers

• Conuers

• Connors

• Covners

• Conwers

• Conversee

• Converseau

• Converseph

• Converso

• Convors

• Convorsse

• Conversy

• Converze

• Convoersa

• Conversely

• Convearse

• Conveersy

• Convocke

• Convaeers

• Convaies

• Convearse

• Convoersite

• Covnership

• Converseux

• Convorsaut

• Convoersall

• Convoersail

• Convoerse

• Converseeux.

The majority of variants and surnames with the same origin for the name Converse originate from French or English descent. The most common spelling is the name Converse. The spelling variations, and other alternative surnames with the same origin includes the variants Convers, Comvers, Convors, Coveners, and Convoers. All of the spellings are derived from the Latin 'conversus', which means to turn around or to turn back.

Surnames that were derived from the name Converse, refer to the location from which the surname originated. For example, Converseau is based on the location of Normandy, whereas Converseph was derived from the city of Paris.

Overall, the surname Converse has several variants and surnames of the same origin. All spellings and variants of the name are believed to have originated from the Latin 'conversus', which means to turn around or to turn back. Additionally, many alternative surnames and spellings were adopted from the land and city from which the surname originated.

Famous people with the name Converse

• Chuck Taylor: Also known by his more popular moniker, Chuck Taylor was the original endorser of the Converse All Star shoes. He was an American basketball player who rose to prominence in the early 1900s and whose namesake has become synonymous with the Converse brand.
• Grant Converse: Grant Converse is a professional basketball player who has played for several teams in the NBA, most notably the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings.
• Phil Converse: Phil Converse was a renowned artist, sculptor and graphic designer in the 1970s and 1980s, known for his work with the Converse brand.
• Todd Converse: Todd Converse is an American comedian and actor known for his appearances in various films, such as Elf (2003) and Love & Other Drugs (2010).
• John Wesley Converse: John Wesley Converse was the son of Marquis Mills Converse, the founder of the Converse Rubber Shoe Company. He served as President of the company from 1908-1935.
• Allen L. Converse: Allen L. Converse was an American judge and statesman from Massachusetts. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives in the late 1800s.
• Laurence Converse: Laurence Converse was an American businessman and CEO of the Converse Rubber Shoe Company from 1941-1967.

Other surnames

ConversConvery