Cavy

Cavy
This most interesting surname is probably of Old French origin, and is a diminutive form of Cave, which has two separate interpretations. Firstly, it is likely to be a metonymic occupational name for someone employed in or in charge of the wine cellars of a great house; or, secondly, a topographical name given to a dweller by or in a cave, both deriving from the Old French "cave", meaning cave or cellar. In France, other surnames from this source include Cavy, Cavet, Cave and Caveau. The name is also found in the south-eastern counties of England as Cavey, Cavy and Cavee. However, in some instances the name may be a variant of Cavey, or Keavy, one of the Anglicized forms of the Gaelic "Mac Daibheid", composed of the Gaelic prefix "Mac", son of, and "Daidheid", David (commander, beloved). Early recordings include: the christening of Richard, son of John Cavey, on June 18th 1598, at Angmering, Sussex; the marriage of Ann Cavie and Ric Farrant at Tonbridge, Kent, on November 17th 1606; the christening of Joannes Philipine, son of Philippe and Marie Cave, on October 30th 1678, at Praye, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France; and the christening of Charles, son of Pierre and Judith Cavie, on February 18th 1780, at St. Martin de Vertou, Ambillou-Chateau, Maine et Loire, France. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Elizabeth Cavie, which was dated June 1st 1562, marriage to Christopher Smith, at Lurgashall, Sussex, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Cavy — Ca vy, n.; pl. {Cavies}. [NL. cavia, fr. Brazilian cabiai: cf. F. cabiai.] (Zo[ o]l.) A rodent of the genera {Cavia} and {Dolichotis}, as the guinea pig ({Cavia cobaya}). Cavies are natives of South America. [1913 Webster] {Water cavy} (Zo[ o]l.) …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cavy — ► NOUN (pl. cavies) ▪ a guinea pig or related South American rodent. ORIGIN Latin cavia, from Carib …   English terms dictionary

  • cavy — [kā′vē] n. pl. cavies [< ModL Cavia < Galibi cabiai] any of a family (Caviidae) of short tailed South American rodents, as the guinea pig …   English World dictionary

  • cavy — /kay vee/, n., pl. cavies. any of several short tailed or tailless South American rodents of the family Caviidae, as the guinea pig, capybara, or agouti. [1790 1800; < NL Cavia name of the genus < Carib (Galibi) cabiai] * * * Any of several… …   Universalium

  • cavy — Guinea pig Guin ea pig [Prob. a mistake for Guiana pig.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A small Brazilian rodent ({Cavia porcellus} or {Cavia cobaya}), about seven inches in length and usually of a white color, with spots of orange and black. Called also {cavy}.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cavy — noun (plural cavies) Etymology: New Latin Cavia, genus name, from obsolete Portuguese çavia (now sauiá) the spiny rat Makalata (Echimys) armata, from Tupi saujá Date: 1796 any of several short tailed rough haired South American rodents (family… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cavy — noun A guinea pig …   Wiktionary

  • cavy — ca·vy kā vē n, pl ca·vies any of several short tailed So. American rodents (family Caviidae) esp GUINEA PIG * * * ca·vy (kaґve) guinea pig …   Medical dictionary

  • cavy — ca·vy || keɪvɪ n. any of a number of South American rodents (i.e. guinea pig, capybara, etc.) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • cavy — [ keɪvi] noun (plural cavies) a guinea pig or related South American rodent. [Family Caviidae: numerous species.] Origin C18: from mod. L. cavia, from Galibi cabiai …   English new terms dictionary

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