Surname Ewings - Meaning and Origin

Ewings: What does the surname Ewings mean?

The last name Ewings is of Old English origin, derived from the personal name Ewing, meaning "law's friend" in Old English. It could also be a patronymic surname, describing a "son of Ewing." The surname has various forms including Ewin, Ewen, Ewens, and Ewenson among others. Its variations are attributed to an explosion of literacy in Middle Ages where clerks would record a person's name as how it sounded, leading to different spellings. It was first found in the County of Yorkshire, England. There are also records of early migrations of people with this surname to America, Australia, and New Zealand in the 18th and 19th centuries. This surname is not extremely common, and bears a complex and rich history rooted in the British Isles. Today, those with the Ewings surname can be found in many corners of the world, often holding positions of influence and prestige.

Ewings: Where does the name Ewings come from?

The surname Ewings is of Scottish origin, derived from the personal name Ewen, Ewan or even Eugene. It is believed to have originated from the pre 10th century Old Gaelic given name "Eòghann", which itself comes from the Greek "Eugenius", meaning "well-born" or "noble". The early name holders moved around Scotland frequently, causing the creation of several variant forms of the name including Ewen, Ewan, Ewing, MacEwen, and many others.

The surname has spread across the world through emigration, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the surname Ewings is particularly common in the United States, due to large-scale Scottish immigration in the 18th and 19th centuries. The surname can also be found in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Scotland, but to a lesser extent. However, in terms of distribution, it is still most frequently found in the United States. The popularity of the surname in popular media, such as the TV show 'Dallas', has also contributed to its recognition. Despite that, it remains relatively uncommon as a last name.

Variations of the surname Ewings

Some known spellings, variants and related surnames to Ewings include Ewing, Euings, Ewen, Ewens, Ewins, Ewyns, and Euen. The Ewings surname has Scottish origins, derived from the Gaelic personal name Eòghan. Some English variations may also occur, due to the close proximity and intersections of culture and language.

There are also clan affiliations or sept names tied to Ewings, given its Scottish origins. These may include Clan Ewen and Clan MacEwen, signifying the familial groups from which the Ewings surname may have diverged or been connected with.

Surnames with a similar origin include other names derived from Eòghan such as Eogan, Eoghan, and even Owen.

Note that geographical movement and emigration, especially from Scotland to places like America, Canada, and Australia, may have affected the spelling of the surname, leading to variations not listed here. This variety reflects the fluidity and changeability of surnames over time and across different languages and dialects. It's also important to remember that family names and their spellings can often be a matter of personal or family choice.

Famous people with the name Ewings

• Patrick Ewing: He is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player who played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks. As of now, he is the head coach of the Georgetown University men's basketball team.
• Duane Ewing: An American musician, composer, and saxophonist notable for contemporary jazz and gospel music.
• Alfred Horatio Belo: Known as A. H. Belo, he was a publisher who founded the newspaper The Dallas Morning News in Dallas, Texas. His mother was a Ewing.
• Dan Ewing: He is an Australian actor known for his role as Reuben Humphries on Seven Network's Home and Away.
• Heather Ewing: A noted historian and author, her work focuses on architecture, art, and the history of science. She is a Fellow of the Society of Architectural Historians.
• Rob Ewing: A British writer known for his popular novel 'The Last of Us'. Please note, fictional characters from the Dallas TV series, like J.R. Ewing, also carry this surname.

Other surnames

Ewing