Surname Deweß - Meaning and Origin
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Deweß: What does the surname Deweß mean?
The last name Deweß is of German origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "dwez," meaning "ladle" or "spoon," indicating a family who may have been merchants or craftsmen who specialized in making ladles and spoons. Alternatively, it is possible the name could be derived from the Middle High German word "dwes," meaning strength or bravado, as a byname.
The Deweß name first appear in documents in Baden-Württemberg region of south-western Germany in the late 16th century. Records from this era identify a Johannes Deweß as living in the town of Offenback in 1598. Contemporary records refer to him as a toolmaker and craftsman.
The spelling of the surname has changed over time and can be seen spelt as Dewes, Dews, Deuss, and even Deves, although the name has retained a similar pronunciation.
Immigration documents from the 19th century show many Deweßs emigrating from Germany to the United States, Canada, and Australia. The family name has been found traditionally in the states of Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.
Today, people bearing the Deweß surname can be found all over the world. Whether this suggests the family was a long-standing one or their travels allowed for the spread of the name is uncertain. What is certain, however, is that the Deweß family has an illustrious history that has stood the test of time.
Order DNA origin analysisDeweß: Where does the name Deweß come from?
The last name Deweß is most common today in certain areas in Germany. It is particularly concentrated in the northwestern region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Deweß has also been recorded in other parts of the country, including Bavaria.
The name Deweß is likely derived from the German word dewes, which is defined as a small duck or duckling. It is believed that the name originally referred to a person who hunted, raised, or sold this type of bird.
The use of Deweß as a surname may have originated as early as the late-14th century. It is thought that it could have been the name of a farming or hunting family. In the past, the name may have also been associated with commerce, as the word dewes could mean to sell or barter.
In modern times, people with the surname Deweß have made their mark as small business owners, clergy, teachers, and politicians.
No matter its original meaning, today the last name Deweß is typically associated with hardworking individuals of German descent. It's still common in many parts of the country, but particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Variations of the surname Deweß
The surname Deweß has a number of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include: DeWeese, Dewees, Deweese, DeWese, DeWeese, Deweis, DeWeis, Deweiss, Dweese, and Dweis.
DeWeese is the most common of these variant spellings. It is thought to be derived from a medieval personal name, which in North German dialects, was pronounced as Duwes or Dewes. This name was widespread throughout Germany and the Netherlands in medieval times, although it is now all but obsolete.
The variants of this surname vary in spelling depending on location and the local language, including Dutch and German. For example, in the Netherlands, the surname is most commonly written as Deweese. In Germany, the most common spelling is DeWeis, while DeWeese is preferred in the United States.
Deweis, DeWeis, Deweiss, and Dweis are all derived from the picker name DeWeis and denote a person from the region of Lower Franconia in Bavaria, Germany.
The surname Dweese is derived from the Dutch personal name Duwes, which is a form of the name Duwe. This name is still used in some parts of Germany, and is sometimes written as Dvies, Dviese, or Dwees. In the United States, the spelling Dweese predominates.
Overall, the surname Deweß is quite rare today. Its variant spellings and surnames of the same origin offer an insight into its origins and the evolution of language over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Deweß
- Verena Deweß: German actress
- Eugenio de Weese: Bolivian actor
- Hugo de Weese: Bolivian diplomat
- Lothar De Weese: German footballer
- Heinz Wilhelm De Weese: German politician
- Allan Lewis Dewees: American politician
- Carlotta Deweß: German artist
- Georg Goebel von Deweß: German chemist
- Hans von Deweß: German lawyer
- Wilhelmine von Deweß-Eckstaedt: German entomologist
- Wilhelm Deweß: German geographer
- Sam Watershed Deweß: American Olympic shooter
- Henry de Weese: American architect
- John de Weese: American physician
- Paul de Weese: Dutch lawyer
- Nancy Frank de Weese: American professor
- George DeWeese: English director
- Helmut de Weese: Austrian historian
- Barry de Weese: Canadian professor
- Bruno Dewès: French physicist