Surname Severien - Meaning and Origin
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Severien: What does the surname Severien mean?
The surname Severien is believed to be of French origin and is found in records from the 16th century. It is believed to derive from the Old French word “severien”, meaning “from the south”. The name may be of toponymic origin, referring to someone who came from an area south of the Loire river. It is also suggested that the name may be derived from the Latin “severinus”, meaning “severe” or “rigid”, referring to someone who was fair and firm in judgment.
Severien is an uncommon surname, with relatively few records of its use in France being found. In the 19th century, one branch of the Severien family are believed to have settled in the African country of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey. It is likely that the family migrated to Benin from the former French colonies during the long period of French colonization. The surname is not found in Benin today, so the remaining descendants may have returned to France.
Severien is now mainly found in France and Quebec, Canada, as well as other parts of the New World. Today, those with the surname Severien are likely to trace their ancestry back to France. The surname is a reminder of its bearer’s unique history and the journey of migration which brought them to their current home.
Order DNA origin analysisSeverien: Where does the name Severien come from?
The last name Severien is a French last name originating from the Normandy region. It first appears in the 11th century during the rule of the Duchy of Normandy. Today, Severien is most commonly seen in France as a last name. It is also quite common in Belgium, particularly in the Flanders region. Outside of Europe, it is still relatively rare and has smaller pockets of prevalence in places like South America and the United States.
In the United States, Severien has been found in many states, from coast to coast. There are records of the name appearing in various locations in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and California. In most cases, it is found in smaller concentrations living in specific areas, usually near large cities. In Texas, the most populous state, one can trace Severien's in Austin and several nearby towns.
Considering France and Belgium are still the most common places to find this last name, it is safe to say that Severien is a relatively rare name in most parts of the world. However, with its French roots, it is easy to find Severiens in certain parts of Europe and the United States.
Variations of the surname Severien
Severien is a French surname derived from the Latin given name Severianus. Variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include:
Severian, Severienne, Severin, Severine, Severino, Severinus, Severyn, Severyne, Sevrin, Sevrine, and Sevryne.
Severian is believed to have derived from the Latin word ‘severus’ which means ‘stern’ or ‘severe’. This was likely due to a man who was seen as a strict ruler or leader of some kind. Alternatively, it could have been passed down as a descriptive name or nickname.
The suffix 'an' or 'ien' sometimes added to the end of a name indicates an association, origin, or a now-lost heritage. Such spellings are used to signify a person's degree of nobility or ancestry. In the case of Severien, it may be that the original bearer of the name held some sort of respect or noble status amongst their peers- such as a family ties to prestigious French aristocracy.
The French language has many dialects and variations which allows for different spellings of the same surname to emerge or be adopted over time. While some of the variations and surnames listed above are French creations, others such as ‘Severyne’ have Nordic or Germanic origins.
Despite their differences, all variations of Severien, Severian, and Severine are typically recognized as having the same origin and meaning.
Famous people with the name Severien
- Richard Severien: French artist and illustrator.
- Patrick Severien: Belgian politician.
- Pierre Severien: French painter and sculptor.
- Annie Severien: Dutch actress and singer.
- Claude Severien: French novelist and dramatist.
- Mathieu Severien: French journalist and writer.
- Bill Severien: American chef and restaurateur.
- Michel Severien: French conductor and composer.
- Antoine Severien: French author and poet.
- Lucien Severien: French journalist and poet.
- Robert Severien: German politician.
- Prof C.G. Severien: Dutch professor of economics at Leiden University.
- Dominique Severien: French actress and singer.
- Dr. Christian Severien: Dutch neurologist.
- Émile Severien: French author and politician.
- Guy Severien: French explorer and aviator.
- Jean Severien: French poet and author.
- Joseph Severien: French painter.
- Paul Severien: French engineer and inventor.
- Veronique Severien: Belgian costume designer.