Anglicized form of French 'van de vere' or Dutch origin meaning from the ferry.
Vandiver is an anglicized form of French van de vere or a Dutch-origin name meaning from the ferry. That makes it a place-based or transit-based surname, tied to crossing, passage, and location rather than to an occupation alone.
Like many surname-first names, it carries an inherited seriousness and a touch of old-world distinction. As a given name, Vandiver has a stately, uncommon sound. It feels literary and somewhat aristocratic, though not in a flashy way; more like a name that belongs to a family with a long memory.
The ferry association adds an image of movement and connection, which softens the formal feel. Vandiver is unusual, but its structure is familiar enough to feel anchored.