Surname Dewees - Meaning and Origin

Dewees: What does the surname Dewees mean?

The last name Dewees is of French origin, derived from the personal name Duwyz. The name originated as one of many spellings of the French name "Duwys" which in turn was derived from the Latin name "Dominicus". This patronymic surname was likely given to someone who was the son of a man named Dominic.

In the U.S., the surname Dewees is often thought to have been an Americanized version of the German surname “Duwe,” a topographic name for someone who lived near a crossroads or near a fork in the road. The German word “weg” means “way” or “journey,” and the combination of the two words together creates the meaning “person from the fork in the road.”

The Dewees family settled in Pennsylvania, along with thousands of other Germans and French immigrants in the late 1600s. The first known Dewees to settle in America was Abraham Duwe, born around 1690 in Germany. Orange Dewees, born in 1711, was the ancestor of several Dewees families in Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Many of these Dewees families moved further south in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

These days, the name Dewees is most commonly borne in the United States, but it is also found in parts of Europe and Canada. The name is generally seen as an Americanized version of the more Germanic “Duwe” or the French “Duwyz,”, but it is possible that it is a separate surname altogether. Those who carry the name of Dewees are usually thought of as intelligent, independent, and strong-willed individuals.

Dewees: Where does the name Dewees come from?

The Dewees family is a common surname across the United States and Canada. In the US, Dewees is most commonly found in the southern and southeastern states, specifically the states of Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. In Canada, the name is most commonly seen in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. It is also found in the area of Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta.

The Dewees family is believed to have originated in Germany and arrived in North America through Pennsylvania and Virginia in the early 1700s. The majority of people who share the Dewees surname likely descend from these original settlers and their families who then spread across the northern, midwestern, and southern regions of the United States. The Dewees family can also be found as far away as Australia and New Zealand, as migration patterns from Western Europe to those countries also took place in the 17th century.

The Dewees name has become associated with strong family traditions, hard work, and a close-knit community. They are proud of their heritage and strive to uphold the values and beliefs that passed down through the generations. Many prominent members of the Dewees family have played a part in the development of businesses, charities, and organizations. This small but mighty family continues to be an integral part of the culture and history of North American communities.

Variations of the surname Dewees

The surname Dewees has a few variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The surname can also be spelled as Deweese, Dewess, Dooies, DeWeese, Doeys, DeWees, Dooess, Duweys, Dews, and Durese.

The origins of the surname Dewees can be traced back to the Scottish-English border region and is a topographical surname, which was given to someone who had lived in a meadow or valley. In Olde English, the word dewes is derived from the word ‘dew’ which means ‘deep valley’.

Spelling variations originated due to regional variations and the evolution of the spoken language. This often occurred because scribes and church officials required their documents to be written in a certain way, which often meant that the name was written in only one way. It is also possible that the spelling variations are due to the variations of dialects in Scotland and England.

The surname Dewes also has a Dutch origin where it is also spelt as De Wees and likely from the medieval Dutch name Doess, derived from the Latin word “dossus” which means “wood”. The German version of the surname is Duese, derived from the Middle High German word ‘duse’ which means ‘meadow.’

The surnames Dewees, Deweese, Dewess, Dooies, DeWeese, Doeys, DeWees, Dooess, Duweys, Dews, Durese, De Wees, and Duese are all variations of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Dewees

• Tucker Dewees: Charge Conference Manager at the League of Conservation Voters.
• Gary Dewees: American Classical and Jazz Trombonist.
• William DeWees: Award Winning Author and Speaker.
• Scott DeWees: Award Winning Reality TV Director and Producer.
• Anthony DeWees: Actor, Writer, and President of The DeWees Corporation.
• Bill DeWees: Film Producer, Director, Author, and Speaker.
• John Dewees: American Musician and Former Member of The Get Up Kids.
• Brad DeWees: Actor and Singer.
• Sheila Dewees: Artist and Author of the “Glowworm Cottage Series”.
• Marco DeWees: Dutch Footballer.
• Carl DeWees: American Cinematographer and Visual Effects Artist.
• John Dewees Jr.: American Racing Driver.
• Sherry Dewees: Professional Saxophonist and Music Educator.
• Corbin DeWees: Actor and Singer.
• Ryan DeWees: Philosopher, Writer, and SEM Advisor.
• Mark DeWees: Voice Actor.
• Tim DeWees: American Film Producer and Professional Speaker.
• Scott Dewees: Communications Strategist and Graphic Designer.
• John W. Dewees: American Politician and Member of the Indiana House of Representatives.
• Steve DeWees: American Motivational Speaker and Writer.

Other surnames

DeweeseDeweess

Comments or additions to the name "Dewees"

18.02.2024
It is Dutch and means orphan.