Surname Meuwesen - Meaning and Origin
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Meuwesen: What does the surname Meuwesen mean?
The last name Meuwesen is of Dutch origin, derived from the Dutch "muys" which means mouse. It is a habitational name for someone from any of various places called Muys, in Germany, or several places called Meuwesen in the Netherlands.
Meuwesen is likely associated with the town of Muys, located in the province of Overijssel in the Netherlands. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the people of Meuwesen worked as bakers, farmers, and boat builders in the area. Over time, their descendants subsequently experienced substantial shifts in their occupational development, particularly when they emigrated to the United States during the early 20th century.
Families with the Meuwesen name today have diverged in their paths and destinations, albeit they all trace their ancestry back to the Dutch settlers of Meuwesen. While the origins of the name remain obscure, it is believed to have had its roots in the nearby town of Muys. The Meuwesen coat of arms bears a shield featuring three black mice, perhaps derived from the Dutch phrase "muys" which translates to mouse.
The Meuwesen family is an extended family spread across the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. As a result, the name has come to reflect a diverse and far-reaching heritage. It is a symbol of the unique journey of the family from its humble origins in the Netherlands to its present presence around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMeuwesen: Where does the name Meuwesen come from?
The last name Meuwesen is most common in the Netherlands, particularly in the north east. The name dates back to medieval times and is likely derived from the old Dutch word "Meuwen," which means seagull. Records show that the surname is also found in Germany, Denmark and the United Kingdom.
The Netherlands is a country located in Northwestern Europe and is made up of 12 provinces. The language of the Netherlands is Dutch, which is part of the West Germanic language tree. Holland, which is another name for the Netherlands, is the most populated province and is where the Meuwesen family is most concentrated. Dutch is the unofficial language and is spoken by most of the population.
The Meuwesen surname is incredibly common in the Netherlands with many different variations, such as Meijwesen, Maaswesen, Meuwesem, Muijwesen, and Meeuwsen among others. Records of the surname go back to medieval times, with some of the earliest traces of the family being found in the region of Groningen in the 13th century. The name has been popularly used by individuals of Dutch noble descent.
Today, the name has been carried to many other countries across the world as Dutch emigrants spread across the globe. While it is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Meuwesen's are present in many parts of Europe, the United States, and other locations across the world.
Variations of the surname Meuwesen
Meuwesen is a Dutch and Frisian surname originating from the Netherlands and North Germany. It is most frequently spelled as Meuwesen, but is also found spelled similarly as Maaßen, MaaßMan, Maasmann, Maassen, Maasman, Meisen, Meißen, Meyßen, Meußen, Meussen, Meyßmann, and Müsse. The name would have been used for someone who worked as a small-scale farmer, derived from the words meu and wesen, meaning “small” and “things,” respectively.
The name is historically well-attested, though it is rare today. In the Dutch provinces of Overijssel and Groningen, it is most frequent, according to the 2019 Population Register. In this region, many dialectal variants can still be found: Moasen, Moessen, Meessen, Masen, Maaßen, and Maessen are all variants of the same name. In the city of Emden, known for its many Frisian residents, a variant of the name is Meuner – derived from meu and wer, meaning “small” and “warrior,” respectively.
Another variant of the name, Mussen, is found in Germany, as well as De Muinke, which is found in the northern Dutch province of Friesland. There is also a variant, Meuwese, found in East Frisia.
The modern spelling of Meuwesen is, however, the most prevalent. Dutch immigrants to the United States of America in the 19th and early 20th century put the name down Meuwessen or Maasen.
Famous people with the name Meuwesen
- Jeroen Meuwese: Dutch Singer/Songwriter
- Marc Meuwesen: Dutch Football Manager
- Sandra Meuwesen: Dutch Actress
- Jo Meuwesen: Dutch Painter
- Eric Meuwesen: Dutch Actor
- Lies Meuwesen: Dutch Writer
- Martin Meuwesen: Dutch Cartoonist
- Carla Meuwesen: Dutch Journalist
- Leo Meuwesen: Dutch TV Presenter
- Jan Meuwesen: Dutch Film Producer