Surname Devereux - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Devereux: What does the surname Devereux mean?
The surname Devereux is of Norman origin and is derived from the town of Evreux in Normandy, France. It is a locational surname which means "from Evreux." The town of Evreux is named after the Eburovices, a Gallic tribe, whose name translates to "those which overcome by the yew?" because yew wood was used by the tribe to make weapons like bows. The prefix "De," meaning "of" or "from," was added to the name when the family migrated to England following the Norman Conquest, resulting in the surname "Devereux". Over time, it has evolved and has various spellings including Deveraux and Devereaux. It is also notable as the surname of several English nobles, such as Robert Devereux, the 2nd Earl of Essex.
Order DNA origin analysisDevereux: Where does the name Devereux come from?
The surname Devereux originated from France, more specifically derived from Evreux, a city located in Normandy. It was initially used by a person who came from Evreux, functioning as a geographical identifier. The name means "from Evreux" in Old French.
The Devereux's were an influential family in the Middle Ages, first established in England following the Norman Conquest in 1066. The family was a part of the English baronage and also gained prominence in Ireland. The most famous member being Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I.
Today, the surname is most common in English-speaking countries, particularly in England, Ireland, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Yet, even in these countries, this surname is not particularly frequent. As such, it’s carried by a rather small portion of the population. Out of these regions, the surname is most densely found in Ireland due to the historical significance and heritage of the name.
Variations of the surname Devereux
The surname Devereux, originally derived from French, has a number of spelling variants and closely related surnames. The name is often seen without the prefix “De”, resulting in the variation "Vereux". It may also be spelled as Deveraux, Deveraux, or Devereaux.
The surname can be anglicized into several forms such as Devreux, Deverose or Devreaux. In some cases, the name's phonetic equivalents are used as variations, such as Devrox or Deverick.
Additionally, given the surname's Norman origins, related surnames could also include Normand and Norman, which denote a person from the same geographical region. Other related names may include Evereux, Evreux or Evrard, derived from the same place name in Normandy.
It's also important to note that Devroe and Devro could be variations or derivations in Belgium or the Netherlands. How the name has morphed or changed can be influenced by many factors, including regional accents, literacy level and cultural adaptation.
Remember that several factors can influence the spelling of surnames, and these are just some potential variants or related surnames of Devereux. Some families may have their unique version or spelling of the surname.
Famous people with the name Devereux
- Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex: He was an influential figure during the reign of Elizabeth I as her favourite courtier. However, his inability to manage Ireland led to his downfall.
- Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex: Like his father, he was an important figure during the Civil War, serving as the commander in chief for the parliamentary army during the Civil War.
- Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex: He is known for his mission to colonise Ulster in Ireland.
- Penelope Devereux, Lady Rich: She was a prominent figure of the Elizabethan court, known for her beauty and wit, and believed to be the "Stella" of Sir Philip Sidney's sonnet sequence "Astrophel and Stella."
- Helena Devereux: She was an American special education pioneer, remembered as the founder of the Devereux Foundation, one of the oldest and largest nonprofit behavioral health organizations in the U.S.
- Michael Devereux: He is a prominent British economist, known for his work in the field of taxation.
- Susan Devereux: An actress, well-known for her roles in films such as "Jabberwocky" and "The Tiger's Tail".
- James Devereux: He was a U.S. Representative from Maryland.
- Léopold Victor Delisle: Full name Léopold Victor Germain Delisle de Saint-Simon Devereux, was a renowned French bibliographer and historian.