Surname Bewley - Meaning and Origin
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Bewley: What does the surname Bewley mean?
The last name Bewley is an English and Irish surname derived from the Old French given name Buell, meaning “blond” or “fair haired.” The Bewley surname is thought to have originated from the Middle English word buell, which describes a fair-haired man or youth. It is also speculated that many individuals with the surname Bewley were actually descended from the ancient Celts, an ethnic group who lived in Iron Age Britain and Ireland and who had a particular fondness for the color blond.
As the surname evolved over time, other spellings began to emerge, including Bewly, Beuly, Bellewey, Bowley, and Bowlly. It is quite possible that as families immigrated across Europe and beyond, they introduced their own variations of the Bewley surname.
Today, there are many families across the world who proudly bear the name Bewley. Perhaps the most famous Bewley family is the family of James Bewley, who was a prominent merchant, banker and politician in early 19th century Ireland. As an affluent family, the Bewleys were well-known for their philanthropy and business endeavors.
In modern times, the Bewley name is most associated with Bewley’s, which is a leading Irish tea, coffee, and chocolate brand. Bewley’s is closely linked to Dublin, as the company has had a base in the city for over 150 years.
Whether used to describe individuals or products, the name Bewley brings with it a strong sense of tradition and reverence. It is a name that evokes thoughts of old-world cultures, beautiful displays of fairness, and a relentless determination to succeed.
Order DNA origin analysisBewley: Where does the name Bewley come from?
The last name Bewley is primarily found in countries in Europe and the United States. Today, the most frequently reported countries of origin for people who have the last name Bewley are the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) with the highest concentration in England. Other countries where people with the surname Bewley are found frequently include Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In England, records show that the surname Bewley is particularly common in the counties of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire.Elsewhere in Europe, the surname Bewley is also found in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, the last name Bewley is found mainly in the states of Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana. In Australia, the family name Bewley is concentrated in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
In all of these locations, the last name Bewley is often found as a variant spelling of Bew, which is an Old English name stemming from the word 'beaw'. This name was originally used to denote a person who was gentle and kind. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Bewley surname is so widespread today.
Variations of the surname Bewley
Bewley is a surname of English and Welsh origin. It is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States, and is derived from the Old French word baillou, meaning a steward or bailiff. There are a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Bawley, Bailie, Bale, Baul, Bold, Bould, Bowley, Buhl, Boul, and Bool.
The Bewley surname is of several distinct origins. The most common spelling, Bewley, is derived from a number of Old French terms related to bailiffs or stewards, such as baillou, bailleul, bailleux, and bayleul. The Middle English spelling, Bowley, is derived from the Old English words boga meaning ‘bow’ or ‘bend’, and leah meaning ‘clearing’ or ‘open ground'. Bawley, Bailie, Bale, Baul, Bold, Bould, Buhl, Boul, and Bool originate from Old Norse terms related to Byzantine administration and taxation.
Bewley is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States, with a few occurrences in other countries. It is among the oldest Anglo-Norman surnames, first appearing in records prior to the 12th century. The recorded spellings of Bewley, and its variants, include Beweley, Bewly, Boley, Bole, Boole, Boule, Bowley, Bowlye, Buhl, Bule, Bool, and Boyle.
In the United States, the Bewley surname is most prevalent in the states of Ohio, California, and New York. It is also one of the most common surnames in Ireland, originating in counties such as Fermanagh, Derry, Monaghan, Armagh, and Antrim. In Scotland, the name is found primarily in the Highland and Argyll regions.
Famous people with the name Bewley
- Victoria Bewley: She is an English actress best known for her work in TV and theatre.
- Luke Bewley: Luke is an Australian Actor and Musician, best known for starring the “Dr. Who” spinoff “Class”.
- Jennifer Bewley: Jennifer is a British actress best known for her role as Doreen Green in “Eastenders” television series.
- Gary Bewley: Gary is an American actor, director and producer best known for his role in the “Bones” TV show .
- Martin Bewley: Martin is a British actor, best known for his role in “Game of Thrones”.
- Jenny Bewley: Jenny is a British Artist whose power of creation has been a source of inspiration for many.
- Joe Bewley: Joe is an English actor and model, best known for portraying the character Robert Osborne in the TV series “Misfits”.
- Arabella Bewley: Arabella Bewley is an English Actress best known for her roles in “Ripper Street” and “The Crown”.
- Bob Bewley: Bob is a British Actor who has appeared in a number of different TV and film productions, most notably “Snatch”.
- Edward Bewley: Edward is an English actor best known for his roles in “Downton Abbey” and “Harlot”.