Surname Prewo - Meaning and Origin
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Prewo: What does the surname Prewo mean?
The last name Prewo is believed to be of Germanic origin, originating from the Middle High German word 'pre(i)we', which means 'stringer'. Stringers are essentially craftsmen who worked with timber, making items such as furniture, instruments and tools. This suggests that the people who bore the Prewo surname would have been skilled artisans, working the materials of the region.
The Prewo surname is thought to have first appeared in the mid-1300s, in the countryside of the German-speaking regions - mainly along the Rhine Valley and in parts of modern-day Bavaria. In Switzerland, the Prewo name holders had a long-standing presence, only having appeared briefly in other countries, such as Northern Italy, where some families are descended from Swiss who had immigrated there centuries ago.
It is also likely that the modern forms of the Prewo surname are derived from more contemporary occupations, such as distillers and charcoal makers, suggesting that members of the Prewo family had a long tradition of working with their hands and in artisanal trades.
Today, the Prewo surname can be found in various countries, particularly in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. While the name holders no longer carry out the traditional craftsmanship that their ancestors were so skilled at, the surname is still a proud reminder of the hardworking people who came before them.
Order DNA origin analysisPrewo: Where does the name Prewo come from?
The last name Prewo is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. In the UK, it is estimated that there are an estimated 175 people who bear the last name Prewo today. The earliest known recording of the Prewo surname dates back to the 16th century, primarily in the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. It was at this time that the surname was first found in the records of English descendants, such as Roger Prewo and John Prewo appearing on the assessment of Pope Nicholas' taxation in Wiltshire in 1291.
Outside of the United Kingdom, the name is still heard as far away as Australia, Canada, and the United States, with records that date back to the early 1800s imaging immigrants from the British Isles. In the United States, the last name Prewo appeared in several records on the east coast states such as Maine, New York, and Massachusetts. As of 2020, the highest concentration of people with the last name Prewo is still located in England.
The current state of the surname Prewo can be seen in its variation of spellings. From the early records, the surname was varied to different sections of the English language, such as “Pruse”, “Prew”, “Prewett”, and “Prewse”. Each version of the Prewo surname is found today, proving the longevity of this surname in the many countries that it can be found today.
Variations of the surname Prewo
The surname Prewo is of English origin and has a range of variants and associated spellings. These variants and spellings are often adopted by different families and can vary widely over time and geography.
At its most basic, the Prewo surname is most commonly written as Prevo. Variations on this spelling include Preevo, Prewoe, Preveo and Preweo. Another form of the name is Prow, which is a shortening or alternative spelling.
Other served variants include Peveo, Pervo, Pyvoe, Provoe, Prawo, Prevoe, Pryvoe, Pravo and Prvoe.
Variants on the Prewo surname can also be found with the addition of a suffix, like Prewos, Prewox and Prewoz.
The surname is also sometimes found with hyphenated spellings like Pre-wo and Pre-vo.
While the name is most commonly found in England, it is also present in a number of countries around the world. Different variants and spellings can be used in various countries and cultures, with some associated surnames including Previere (France), Pervov (Bulgaria) and Prove (Germany).
Surnames can also take on a range of other variation in spelling, such as Soundex (P600) and Metaphone (PR).
Overall, the surname Prewo has many variants, spellings, and associated surnames. This reflects the history of the surname, which can span over centuries and countries, and is an indication of the different pronunciations and uses of the name by various families over time.
Famous people with the name Prewo
- Frank Prewo: an American architect and structural engineer known for his modernist designs in Southern California.
- Catharine Prewo: a Canadian-German lawyer and businesswoman.
- Stan Prewo: an English musician and songwriter who worked as a session guitarist for over 40 years, playing on numerous records such as hits by The Kinks.
- Peter Prewo: an English footballer who played for Sarapee and Nottingham Forest.
- Kurt Prewo: a German businessman and former owner of Schlecker, a major retailer in Germany.
- David Prewo: an Australian rugby league player who played for the Penrith Panthers and represented Australia in the 1977 World Cup.
- Irene Prewo: an American film actress best known for roles in films such as The Great Gatsby (1949) and The Last Mile (1959).
- Janet Prewo: an English violinist, principal of the BBC Concert Orchestra and teacher at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
- Arthur Prewo: an English sculptor and bronze founder who is best known for his sculptures placed in war memorials in the UK.
- Kenneth Prewo: an American mathematician who worked extensively on the Riemann hypothesis and its implications.