Surname Meeuwissen - Meaning and Origin

Meeuwissen: What does the surname Meeuwissen mean?

The last name Meeuwissen is a Dutch surname originating from the Dutch language. It is derived from the occupational name mueuw, meaning “miller”. This type of surname is generally referred to as an “occupational surname” because it comes from a person’s occupation or profession. In the Middle Ages, it was common for people to take the name of their occupation to be used as part of their last name.

The Meeuwissen surname is quite common in the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as other Dutch-speaking countries. It is especially present in the Zeeland area of the Netherlands, with its origins likely dating back to the 13th century.

The name is believed to have been derived from the pretty common milling activity, which was highly necessary for agricultural production in the Middle Ages. Mollers, or mueuws, were those with the unique skill of grinding grain with a stone wheel. This activity was essential to the production of foods such as bread, which was the main source of nourishment at the time. As a result, the name has come to represent those who are skilled in this particular trade.

The name Meeuwissen is often seen in combination with other Dutch surnames, as it is quite common for families to share a name, such as both parents having the surname Meeuwissen. It is a testament to the historical significance of the profession and the role it played in the history of the Netherlands.

Meeuwissen: Where does the name Meeuwissen come from?

The last name Meeuwissen is primarily found in the Netherlands and Belgium today. It is derived from the Dutch/Flemish word 'meeuw', which is the Dutch word for seagull. It is believed that the name originated between 1500 and 1600 AD and is likely a signifier of the emigration of a person of the Meeuwissen family from one of the seaport villages of Holland or Belgium. The name is also sometimes seen as Meuwisse, which is the German spelling.

The last name is currently more common in the Netherlands than in Belgium due to the origin of the name. According to Google, some of the most common locations that produce search results for the name include Rotterdam, Utrecht, Zutphen, and other cities in the provinces of Gelderland and North Holland. There are also instances of the name in the towns around Nijmegen, which is located in the eastern part of the Netherlands.

When searching for the name on the internet, you will find that most of the results are from within the Netherlands, but there are a few namesakes from other countries, such as Canada, the United States, and Germany. Additionally, the name is found in other locations across Europe, such as Austria, France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Overall, although the name is still primarily found in the Netherlands and Belgium, it has begun to spread to other parts of Europe and North America.

Variations of the surname Meeuwissen

Meeuwissen is a Dutch-language patronymic surname, derived from the personal name Meeuw. The name translates to "seagull," indicating that the original bearer of the name likely lived near an area of the North Sea or other body of water. Common variants for this surname include "Meeuwesen," "Meeuwessen," "Meeuwes," and "Meeuws." Meeuwsz and Meeuwszoon are also Dutch variants of the surname.

Meeuwissen is also found under some other forms in the Bahá'í Faith, with Maeyens, Meausen and Meyens being the surnames adopted by people of the Netherlands-Flemish descent who had become members of the Framework of Unified Bahá’i Administrative Institutions.

Variations of the original Dutch spelling of the surname have evolved in other countries over time. In the United States and other Anglophone countries, the surname is often spelled "Mowisen," "Mowensen," "Mouwsen," or "Mouwsin." Similarly, in German, the surname is often spelled "Mouwesen," "Mauwesen," "Mauwessen," and "Mauwsin."

In the Low German dialect, the surname is usually spelled "Mauwsin" or "Mauwsen." Additionally, the surname is often spelled "Meuwissen," "Meuwessen," Meuwes," and "Meuwsen" in Low German variations.

Surnames with which Meeuwissen is often confused include Meevisen, Meevoussen, and Meevusen.

Other regional variations of Meeuwissen include Meüssen, Meussen, Meussin, Meessen, and Meüssin. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the surname is often spelled "Meeuwesen" or "Meeuwen."

All variations of the surname share the same origin, ultimately derived from the Dutch nickname Meeuw, which literally translates to "seagull."

Famous people with the name Meeuwissen

• Maurits Meeuwissen: Dutch field hockey player, Olympic gold medallist
• Egbert Meeuwissen: Dutch professional wrestler
• Julia Meeuwissen: an American singer-songwriter
• Pascal Meeuwissen: Dutch speed skater
• Sytse Meeuwissen: Dutch discus thrower
• Gertjan Meeuwissen: Dutch football player
• Erwin Meeuwissen Struyvenberg: Dutch footballer
• Arie Meeuwissen: Dutch football referee
• Steven Meeuwissen: Dutch field hockey player
• Ronnie Meeuwissen: Dutch former professional footballer.

Other surnames

Meeuwis