Surname Deweese - Meaning and Origin

Deweese: What does the surname Deweese mean?

The last name Deweese is of English and Scottish origin, and its meaning is derived from the names Dew, Deux, and Wis. The surname most likely originated in the 12th century, derived either from a personal name or a nickname derived from the Old English word dew, meaning ‘dew’, or the Old French deux, meaning ‘two’. Alternatively, it could also be derived from the Old Welsh personal name Wis, later anglicized to Wys and eventually changed to Deweese.

Early records of the surname date back to the 1200s in England, and it has been found in various spellings (e.g. Dewise, Dewes and Duise) in British parish records. In Scotland, the name was found first in the 14th century in Aberdeenshire. Variations in the spelling of the name have also been attributed to regional dialect, and it has been recorded in Ireland, the Netherlands, and even in the United States.

The surname Deweese is considered an occupational surname, which means it was borne by people who worked in some specific trade or profession. This could include workers in fields and orchards who harvested the dew from crops, as well as apothecaries who collected it for use in medications. The surname is also common among several United States branches of the Deweese family.

The Deweese surname still continues to be used around the world today. Its original meaning, however, still remains a mystery, and it continues to act as a reminder of the many different lineages that have evolved from it.

Deweese: Where does the name Deweese come from?

The surname Deweese is an English habitation name of old Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the place where the initial bearer lived or held land. It originally derived from either of two place names; the first being derived from the Old English pre 7th Century words 'dye', meaning 'a depth or hollow', and 'wisc', a dwelling, thus 'the deep dwelling'. The second is an altered spelling of the village of Dewsbury in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Deweese is still common today, particularly in England where most bearers of the name are found. The largest number of Deweese households still reside in Norfolk, although there are also many in the neighbouring counties of Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.

The United States of America is also home to many Deweese families, with numerous records of the name dating back to the 1600s in Virginia. Today, the surname Deweese is particularly prevalent in Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina and Mississippi. The most common professions held by Deweese family members in America include agriculture, military service, general laboring, farming and manufacturing. It is estimated that the number of individuals with the surname of Deweese living in the US today is approximately 3,200.

Variations of the surname Deweese

The surname Deweese is a patronymic name which is derived from an ancestor’s given name. Generally, when researching a surname of Deweese, it is important to note the various forms of this surname as it may be spelled differently in different countries or even in different documents. The variants, spellings and surnames of Deweese can be broken down into three main categories: the variants, spellings and anglicized forms of the original name (Deweese); the variations of the name (Deweess, Dewees, Dewey, Dewys) in countries outside of England; and any derived surnames from the original name (e.g. De Weese, DeWess, Dewese).

Variants of the name Deweese are usually found in writings or documents outside of the British Isles. The spelling for this name may be shown either as Deweess or Dewees depending on the language used. In French, the name would be spelled as DeWess with the “e” being pronounced. In Latin, the spelling might be written as Dewey or Dewys with the “e” being silent. These variations of the name are often seen in some historical documents, including some from the 19th century.

The anglicized forms of the original surname Deweese often take on the spelling of “De Weese” or with double consonants, such as ‘DeWess’ or similar. This is the form of the name that is easiest to pronounce and read in English.

The common derived surnames from the primary form of Deweese include DeWess, Dewese, Deweiss, and Deww. These surnames are believed to have developed from an earlier form of the name, as well as from the slight variations in pronunciation over the years.

Overall, the variants, spellings, and surnames of Deweese are all derived from the original form of the name. Because of the many variations in spelling over the years, it can be difficult to determine the origin. However, being aware of the various variations of the name can help in researching its history and origins.

Famous people with the name Deweese

• Sid Deweese: an American football coach, college basketball player, and college football player who was the head football coach at Chung-Hsing University from 1988 to 1992.
• Eric Deweese: a professional wrestler of the American independent wrestling circuit under the ringname Eric D’Von, is best known for his tenure with Extreme Championship Wrestling.
• David Deweese: an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer.
• Rodney Deweese: an American actor, known for roles in Moondance Alexander, What About Brian, and Drive Thru.
• Alli Deweese: a former professional volleyball player and three-time Olympic Games qualifier for the United States.
• Art Deweese: a former basketball player in the National Basketball Association.
• Sue Deweese: a former prosecutor and judge in the state of Oregon.
• John Deweese: a former professional baseball player in the Negro Leagues.
• Robert Deweese: an American author of science fiction and fantasy novels such as "Tales from the Robot Age" and "Tales of the Ants".
• Ashlei Deweese: an American figure skater who competed in the 2002 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Other surnames

DeweesDeweess