Surname Kewn - Meaning and Origin

Kewn: What does the surname Kewn mean?

The last name Kewn is of English origin and the meaning behind the surname is believed to be derived from the Old English personal name Cen, which was also recorded in Middle English as Ken, Kenn, Kyn, Kewn and Kun. The personal name Cen was derived from the Old English word cennan meaning “bold” or “royal”.

The name is also likely derived from a place named Kewn, which is the plural form of the Old English word cêne meaning "wooded area". It is first recorded as Kewne in 1273, in Hennersdorf, in present-day Germany and as Kyne in 1273, in Lincolnshire, England. In some cases, it could also have come from a place in Norway called Küwn, or from a corruption of the Gaelic name Kyn, meaning "bold".

The name Kewn is commonly found in England, including Cornwall, where it is known as Kewen. It is also seen throughout Ireland; it is believed to have first arrived there during the sixteenth century when the English invaded.

The corresponding Irish surname is Ó Cuanach, meaning “descendant of Cuan”. The Scots Gaelic form, Ó Céin or Mac Céin, means “son of Céin”. It is not a very common surname today, but the Kewn name has stood the test of time for centuries.

Kewn: Where does the name Kewn come from?

The last name Kewn is not common today, but it is found around the world in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and England. The surname is said to have originated in Yorkshire England during the 18th century, where it was a locational name derived from an area known as Kean or Kewan.

In the United States, the surname Kewn is most prevalent in the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and South Dakota. In Alabama, the number of people with the surname Kewn is highest, with 2000 individuals recorded in the 2000 US census. The surname is also present in other states like North Carolina, Texas, and California, but to a lesser degree.

In Canada, the name Kewn can also be found in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan. In the United Kingdom, the name can be found in the counties of Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Hampshire.

Most of the individuals with the surname Kewn are believed to have descended from the same family, although there have been slight spelling variations over the generations. As such, the surname appears to be most concentrated in its areas of original origin, particularly in Yorkshire and its surrounding counties.

Variations of the surname Kewn

The surname Kewn has many variants and spellings, including:

1. Kewen

2. Kewon

3. Kewin

4. Kewean

5. Kewinne

6. Kewine

7. Kewayne

8. Kawin

9. Kawn

10. Koaen

The surnames of similar origin are Keown, Keowne, Keowns, Kuehn, and Kuna.

Keown is the most common variant of the Kewn surname; it is believed to derive from the Old Welsh personal name Cuun. This form of the name is found in various British records from as early as 1254 in Staffordshire.

Keowne is believed to have originated from the Middle English personal name Keelwin, which is a combination of the Old English elements 'ceol' and 'wine' meaning 'ship' and 'friend'. The name is found in a variety of records from as early as 1332 in Leicestershire.

Keowns derives from county Mayo in Ireland, where the name was first found in the 1400s. The derivation is not quite certain, but it is thought to have evolved from the Old Welsh personal name Cuun, or from the Old English nickname Cowman.

Kuehn is a German variant of the Kewn surname, which is a short form of the personal name Konrad. The name is first found in the town of Württemburg in the 16th century.

Kuna is a Czech variant of the Kewn surname, which is derived from the Slovak word 'Kuna' meaning 'short' or 'small'. The name is first found in Czech records in 1522.

Famous people with the name Kewn

• Steve Kewn: American producer, director and multi-Emmy Award-winning editor/writer.
• Mark Kewn: British television writer and producer, best known for his work on the satirical political show Have I Got News for You.
• Ashley Kewn: British actress, known for her roles in the television series Doctor Who, So Awkward and Dixi.
• Neal Kewn: American musician and producer, known for his work with Robert Plant, U2 and Sheryl Crow.
• Jenny Kewn: British author and presenter, best known for her book The Girl Who Ate Everything.
• Amy Kewn: American actress, known for her roles in the films Mean Girls, Superbad and Observe and Report.
• Sarah Kewn: British-American actress, known for her roles in the television series The CW's Beauty & the Beast and Netflix's Dear White People.
• Justin Kewn: American television writer and producer, best known for his work on the comedic television series New Girl.
• Harrison Kewn: Australian actor, best known for his role in Pacific Rim: Uprising.
• Catherine Kewn: British singer-songwriter, best known for her debut album An Invitation to Freedom.

Other surnames

KewaldKewelKewelarKeweshKewisKewishKewley