Dovener Family History

Perhaps a variant of Devonald (from the Welsh personal name Dyfnallt) which has anglicized forms like Davonell, Daven(h)all, and Davenor. Welsh pronunciation with /ʌ/ is attested in the names of David Dovenallt and Sarah Dovenallt in Census 1841 (Saint Dogwells, Pembrokes) where the first part of the name is spelled like the English word dove.

In N Wales, this may have given rise to an English pronunciation Dovener, which first appears in 17th-century Cheshire. Its appearance in NR Yorks by the middle of that century is more surprising, and the Yorks name may have a different but unknown origin.