This is a locational name from a village thus called in calvados (Normandy). It is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The namebearer probably being a follower of William the Conqueror who was granted lands in England. In 1242, William de Dyves or de Dyve appears in the Fine court Rolls of Oxfordshire. The spelling Dives first appears in 1641. One, Thomas, son of Simon Dives was baptised in St.Dionis Black church (London). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roselinus de Dive, which was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book of Cambridgeshire, during the reign of King William 1, known as "the Conqueror", 1066 - 1087. 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.