Surname Dewes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Dewes: What does the surname Dewes mean?
The surname Dewes is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from a family having resided in the county of Devon, England. The name referred to a person who resided near a dew pond or dew-lake.
The name first originated in the early Middle Ages, and the earliest record of the name dates from an entry in the Domesday Book. At that time, Dewe was spelled 'de Wy'. Subsequent recordings of the name throughout history have been found in Tyddington and Oldenham in Kent, and in Henley in Kent, where the family held lands and estates.
Throughout the centuries the name Dewes has been spelt in a variety of ways, including du Wys, de Wys, Dewys, Dewis, Dewse, and Dewis. The many variations of spelling the surname can make tracing its lineage and origin difficult.
The Dewes family is an ancient and noble family whose ancestral home was located in the county of Devon. Over the centuries the family has branched to many parts of England, with different areas having their own unique lines of descent from the original lineage. This has given rise to several different family branches.
Today the Dewes family is widely dispersed throughout England and beyond, and the surname is still quite common in many parts the country.
Order DNA origin analysisDewes: Where does the name Dewes come from?
The last name Dewes is a relatively uncommon surname that is found primarily in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.
In the United Kingdom, it is most often encountered in the south and east of the country. Some of the most concentrated populations can be found in counties such as Suffolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Essex.
In Europe, Dewes is found most prevalently in the Netherlands. It is also encountered in Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Today, Dewes does not appear to be particularly popular, even in its primary home nations. However, it is still in use as a surname in a few scattered parts of the world. The family is likely to have considerable historic roots in its respective locations, however, given its rarity.
It is not certain what the origin of the surname is, as there is much debate surrounding it, with various sources attributing it to different origins. Some suggest the name could derive from a Welsh given name, while others suggest it may have been brought over from Normandy, France, or one of several other European regions.
The Dewes surname can also be found in the United States of America, where it was likely brought over by immigrants. However, the name is now typically found in its original British and European locations.
Variations of the surname Dewes
The surname Dewes has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant spelling is DeWees which is especially common in the United States. Other variant spellings related to this name include Dewes, De Weese, DeWees, DeWeese, Deweese, and Dewees.
This surname is found in countries from around the globe; however, it has an especially large presence in the United Kingdom. As a result, it is also very common to find the surnames associated with British immigrant populations who have since moved to the United States.
Pronounced differently, Dewes is also seen spelled as DeWits, De Vries, and De Vree. This name is common in the Netherlands and Belgium, where it has been seen spelled as Dewes since the 16th century.
Similar surnames with close origins include Davis, Davies, Dowes, Dewey and Dewell. Many variants of this name have origins in England, where the English words for "dew" were used as surnames.
Ultimately, the most common variants of the surname Dewes are DeWees, De Weese, DeWees, DeWeese, Deweese, and Dewees. Because the surname has been seen in numerous countries around the world, it is likely that there are even more variants and spellings that have occurred over the years.
Famous people with the name Dewes
- Ryan Dewes: An American actor, producer and writer, best known for his roles in films such as Happy Death Day 2U, Vice and Hell Baby.
- Chris Dewes: A former professional American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League.
- Friederike von Dewes: A German citizen recognized for reaching the top of Mount Everest in 1998.
- Andrew Dewes: A British actor best known for playing Nicholas Chisholm in the 2020 crime drama Bloodlands.
- Dietel Dewes: A German-Mexican architect, best known for his modern design and the remodelling of a 19th-century hacienda into a private residential compound.
- Friedrich von Dewes: A German lawyer and diplomat whose career was spent in establishing consular affairs during the 19th century.
- Sarah Dewes: A British physiologist and academic, notable for her work on the physiology of pregnancy and maternal-fetal adaptation.
- Johann Chrysostomus or "John" Dewes: A German composer, organ builder and organist who is best remembered for his work in building and playing organs, especially at the Prussian court.
- Ted Dewes: A former Australian rules football player who played with Central Districts in the South Australian National Football League.
- Even Dewes: A Belgian soldier, civil engineer and co-founder of the Royal Constructors Corps.