Surname Berwill - Meaning and Origin
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Berwill: What does the surname Berwill mean?
The origins of the last name Berwill remain unknown. Some believe it may have originated in various English counties from the Old English words “beore” (a hill) and “wielle” (a spring). Geographical surnames such as this were given to people who lived near a certain feature or place.
Alternatively, it has also been postulated that the name may have derived from the Old Norse “berg” (a hill) and “vollr” (field). In this case the name would have originally been as a patronymic meaning “of the hill field”. This type of name was given to individuals who were the descendants of someone who lived in the associated area.
The name is fairly rare today, with records suggesting it is primarily held by families in the United Kingdom. Despite this, as an English surname, Berwill has a long history. It can be found attested between the 12th and 13th centuries with references to “Ernold Berwill” in 1199 and Ranulph Berwill in 1206.
Overall, the exact origin of the Berwill surname remains open to debate. However, its prevalence in the United Kingdom, combined with the fact that its earliest appearance dates back to the 12th century, indicates that it has a long and rich history.
Order DNA origin analysisBerwill: Where does the name Berwill come from?
The last name Berwill is quite common in the United States, particularly in states with large populations of German-Americans. The original spelling of Berwill is Behrwald, suggesting a German origin. German immigrants brought this family name to the United States and it has become quite widespread throughout the country.
The states with the highest concentrations of this surname are Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin. The largest numbers of Berwills can be found in Cleveland, Ohio, with other significant populations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Outside of the US, Berwills are commonly found in other countries with strong German influences such as the Netherlands, Australia, and South Africa.
Berwills are a well-established family and are part of the broader German-American community, but they also stand out because of their unique name. They make up a large part of the population of both the United States and beyond, today. With a widely recognizable family name, Berwills are part of a proud and diverse heritage.
Variations of the surname Berwill
The surname Berwill is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is generally thought to have derived from the Old English personal name Berwulf or Berewulf, and was most likely adopted as a surname during the Middle Ages. Variants of this surname include Berwill, Berwale, Berwaal, Berewell, Bewail, Berrell, Berrill, Burrall, Byrdall, Byrdal, Berwill, Byrwell, Barwell, Burrwell, Berwoll, Beroule, Beroules, and Berewoule.
The surnames all evolved naturally over time as the population grew and families moved from region to region, and so many spellings are seen within the same family line.
There is some dispute as to whether these surnames all share a common origin. Some sources argue that Berwulf and Berewulf are among the many hypocorisms term that were taken from the more traditional version of 'Man of the Fort' which ultimately derived from the Old English 'Beorh-wulf'.
Others suggest that Berwill may have derived from the Old English 'bearu', meaning 'grove (or woods)', which is consistent with the numerous regional variants found in England during the Middle Ages. It is likely that early Berwill numbers would have been concentrated in the forested regions of England's eastern counties, including Norfolk, Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and Suffolk, although other areas are also associated with these variants.
It is clear from the wide variety of spelling variants that the surname Berwill has undergone numerous changes over the centuries in response to local and regional influences. Despite this, the surnames all evolved from a common root and are therefore thought to be of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Berwill
- Berwill Boima: Actor and producer, known for his roles in movies such as Beyond Darkness, Killing Emmett Young and Dirty People.
- Kurt Beurwil: Swiss footballer who plays for FC Sion.
- Melissa Berwill: Singer-songwriter who has released multiple studio albums, including Woman of Ice, If I Never Wake Again and Smother.
- Jeff Berwill: Journalist and author, best known for his work on environmental issues such as global warming and air pollution.
- Mindy Berwill: Social media influencer and entrepreneur, author of the book, Fearless: A Guide to Navigating Your Life With Courage and Confidence.
- Oscar Berwill: Actor, writer and producer, known for his roles in the films The Speech, Windy and the Spotless Mind and Cold Women.
- David Berwill: Professional poker player, winner of multiple World Series of Poker bracelets and the 2006 World Poker Tour Player of the Year.
- Elizabeth Berwill: Physiologist and researcher, co-author of several papers on cardiovascular diseases.
- Herbert Berwill: U.S. Army veteran, awarded the Silver Star for combat bravery during the Vietnam War.
- Gloria Berwill: Award-winning costume designer for television and film, whose works include the costumes for the series The Vampire Diaries and the film The Outsider.