Surname Beevis - Meaning and Origin
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Beevis: What does the surname Beevis mean?
The last name Beevis is of English origin. It is a habitational surname derived from the lost village of Beavesey, which was located in the parish of Plumstead in the county of Kent. The etymology of Beevis is from the Old English terms, ‘be’ meaning "bee", and ‘ea’ meaning "river". Thus, the name Beevis would have originally meant "living near the river of the bees".
The first recorded spelling of the Beevis surname in England was in 1276, when John de Bavecesia was listed in the Court Rolls of Wakefield in Kent. The last name was mainly found in Kent and surrounding counties, with some early migrations to Scotland as well.
Today, the last name Beevis is listed in the 1881 census throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Canada and the United States. The meaning of the last name remains the same and has remained unchanged for centuries. The Beevis surname represents a proud history in England, Scotland, Wales, Canada and the United States, and remains a respected and unique surname among all nationalities today.
Order DNA origin analysisBeevis: Where does the name Beevis come from?
The last name Beevis is most commonly found in the United States today. It is a variant of the more common last name Beavis and is often spelled in different ways, such as Bivens or Bevans. The earliest record of it is from the 19th century in Virginia, but over time the name has become more widespread and can now be found in other states, such as Florida, California, and Washington.
The Beevis name is most common among African American families, likely derived from variations of slavery surnames such as Bevins, Bievens, and Beavert. Its records have been found in some of the earliest census records in America, indicating a long history of the Beevis family in the United States.
Beevis is most common in the South and in urban areas. In other regions of the country, it is more rare. Beevis is also relatively uncommon among younger generations in the United States, despite its long history.
Overall, the Beevis name is most common in the southern United States, especially in the regions where African American families are populous. It is also still widely used in urban centers, and while it is not as popular as it once was, the Beevis family still has a long and important history in the United States.
Variations of the surname Beevis
The surname Beevis is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom, with some sources tracing it back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. Some sources believe it is derived from the Old French beviss, meaning "lives on a hill," while other suggest it is an elder form of the Middle English beeves, meaning "hillsides with meadows." The surname is likely to have been spelt various ways over the centuries, including Beavis, Beviss, Beeves, Beavis, Bees, Bevis, Bevis.
The variants of Beevis are believed to include other spellings and surnames of the same origin. For example, Beavis could be a variant of Beville, which is believed to come from the towns of Beville-le-Comte and Beville-les-Montcanin in Normandy, France. Beville may also be derived from the Old French, bevilla, meaning "town of the beavers" - implying that the original family in that area were involved with river management activities. Alternatively, Beviss could be a variant of Du Buf, a Norman surname whose root word is dubh, which translates to "black."
Beeves is another spelling of the surname and is believed to have originated from beeves, meaning "hillsides with meadows." Beeva is a variant of the name, derived from the Old English bive, meaning "bees." Bevis is believed to have derived from the Old English beofisc, meaning "warlike," although it is likely to have been spelt variously over time.
The surname Beevis is ancient and has been carried down through many generations, with the variants and surnames of the same origin being derived from the original Norman spelling. As such, many variations on the surname have developed over time, between different families and geographical areas.
Famous people with the name Beevis
- Tom Beevis: British stage and TV actor, best known for his role as PC Nelson in the award-winning series, The Bill.
- William Beevis: British actor who has worked in a variety of media, including appearing in a stage production of Our House in the mid-2000s.
- Vince Beevis: Former English rugby player who represented the England national team in rugby union between 1972-1982.
- Anne Beevis: American actress, who has appeared in productions such as Deadpool 2 and Strapped for Cash.
- Cheryl Beevis: British actress, best known for her roles in London’s Burning and Coronation Street.
- Michael Beevis: British screenwriter and director, best known for his work on the film, Kidulthood.
- Luke Beevis: British businessman who founded the software company, Just Intelligent Networks.
- John Beevis: British actor, appearing in a variety of television series throughout late 70s and early 80s.
- George Beevis: American high school basketball coach, renowned for turning his team's fortunes around at key games.
- Douglas Beevis: Australian winemaker, highly recognised for producing quality wines from one of the country's best vineyards.