Surname Bewes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bewes: What does the surname Bewes mean?
The last name Bewes is a variant spelling of the British surname Bews. The surname is derived from the Middle English word "bewes" which means both "friends" and "nobles". Historically, this surname was most commonly found in the northwestern regions of the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland and northern England.
The surname Bewes likely originated in England and originated as a name that denoted noble rank in medieval England. This name is most likely of Norman origin, as the word “Bews” is also found in Norman French in a word meaning “noble”. It isbelieved that this Norman name was brought over to England by the Norman conquests during the 11th and 12th centuries.
The coat of arms of the Bewes family showcases the symbolic meaning of the surname. The shield features a blue field with a gold demi lion, which is typically associated with strength and bravery. The crest of the family is a black hound's head, which is traditionally associated with loyalty and a strong sense of family.
All together, the surname Bewes reflects the values of courage, nobility, and loyalty. These same qualities have been passed down from generation to generation within the Bewes family, making these values part of their heritage and a source of family pride.
Order DNA origin analysisBewes: Where does the name Bewes come from?
The last name Bewes is most common today in the United Kingdom, particularly in England, where it originates from. According to the 1881 British census, many of the people bearing the name lived in the city of Exeter and its surrounding counties, particularly Devon and Cornwall.
The surname Bewes is thought to derive from the Old English personal name Beaw, meaning brave or braveheart. From the early 16th to the mid-19th centuries, the majority of people with this name stayed in their native West Country, particularly around Exeter. It is said that the name travelled to other parts of England during this period, and even to Ireland during the 16th century.
Today, the surname Bewes continues to be quite common in many areas of the UK. According to the 2011 British census, there were more than 4,500 people living in England and Wales with the name Bewes. Most of them lived in the South West, with Exeter continuing to be a hub for people with this name.
The Bewes name has also spread to other countries. In Australia, for example, there are estimated to be around 235 people bearing the name Bewes, while in the United States a small but growing population has been identified. Thus the last name Bewes is found across the globe today, but is still most prevalent in England, and particularly its South West counties.
Variations of the surname Bewes
The surname Bewes is an occupational name derived from the Middle English and Old French word “bouvier”, which means “ox herder”. It was commonly found in Middle English spellings such as Bewas, Bewes, and Bewys. Variants of the surname Bewes include the spellings Bowes, Bows, Beaus, Beausé, Beauséy, Beausée, Bewse, Beuse, Bease, Beal, and Beale.
Surnames of similar origin include Bouvier, Bouvieri, Bouvierz, Bowyer, Boyer, Buvis, Buvier, Bevis, Bevers, Beversco, Beuer, Boevers, Boviere, Boivers, and Bowever.
Variations of the surname Bewes have also been found in parts of Scotland, Germany, and the Netherlands. In Scotland, variant spellings include Beowes, Bowes, Boyes, Bees, and Boyce, while in Germany and the Netherlands they include Buhse and Buhs.
Due to the similarity of spellings, the surname Bewes has also been found in different regional locales and forms, including Bews, Bease, Beaul, Buish, Beause, Bealce, Bue, Buish, Bowse, Beasey, Bauce, and Beasey.
In conclusion, the surname Bewes is an occupational name of Middle English and Old French origins. There are multiple variant spellings and surnames of similar origin found in Scotland, Germany, the Netherlands, and different regional locales. The finite list of variants and surnames of the same origin may vary accordingly based on the locale.
Famous people with the name Bewes
- Timothy Bewes: an academic and author, primarily focusing on contemporary cultural theory.
- Bob Bewes: English former footballer who played as a midfielder.
- Lindsay Bewes: an Australian TV presenter and actress.
- Dick Bewes: a former British film, television, and stage actor.
- Sir Randolph Bewes: British Conservative politician and hereditary peer.
- Westley Bewes: British artist and cartoonist who works in a variety of mediums.
- Nic Bewes: English rugby union footballer who plays as a centre for Moseley.
- Clive Bewes: an English playwright, actor and screenwriter.
- Simon Bewes: a former English cricketer.
- Recha Freier née Bewes: founder of the Tza'ad Kehilot movement in Germany.