Surname Shouse - Meaning and Origin
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Shouse: What does the surname Shouse mean?
Shouse is an English surname that is thought to have derived from Middle English "schoo" or "schow," meaning to show. This suggests that the earliest Shouse ancestors might have been individuals who displayed or exhibited something, possibly working as entertainers, public announcers, or guides. The surname could also be a locational surname from Scotland, traced back to the village of Shotts, which the locals called Shouse due to the distinctive pronunciation. Like many surnames, the meaning and origin could vary and would be influenced by factors like location, occupation, or father's name. However, without further specific genealogical research, it's challenging to determine its precise origin and meaning. Surnames' meanings can change over time and location, and it can also be influenced by transcription errors and language evolution.
Order DNA origin analysisShouse: Where does the name Shouse come from?
The last name Shouse is most commonly found in the United States today, especially in the Midwest and Southern regions. The 2000 United States Census showed that about 15,000 individuals have the last name Shouse, most of which reside in the states of Tennessee, Indiana, and North Carolina.
The Shouse surname is of German origin, though one historical source states that it may be Anglicized from a German, Dutch, or Swedish form of the Jewish name "Shoush" or "Sus".
In addition to the United States, Shouse is also found in Canada, with a concentration in Ontario, as well as in other countries such as Scotland, England, and Australia. However, much smaller numbers are located in these countries compared to the United States.
The highest concentration of individuals bearing the last name Shouse are found on the East Coast in the states of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, where it ranks in the top 1,000 most common surnames.
The name Shouse has also been found in genealogical records as far back as the 13th century, primarily in the form of "de Shouse", which was derived from the surname assigned to those who lived near the village of Shouse in Hannover, Germany.
Variations of the surname Shouse
The surname Shouse has many variants and spellings that can be traced to the same origin. The most common variants of this surname include Shous, Shouce, Shouser, Shouzer, Schous, Schouse, Schouce, Schouser, Schouzer, Shouse, Shouce, Shouser, and Shouzer. Other variants include Schaus, Schause, Schauf, Shouff, Schauff, Schauffman, Shoup, Shoupe, Shouppe, Shoupp, Shup, Shupp, Shuppe, Schupp, Schuppe, Schup, Schuppman, Schupl, Schupmann, Shouseman, Shousman, Shelouse, Shelous, Shelouce, Shelouser, and Shelouzer.
The origin of the surname Shouse is most likely Germanic and may have originated as a derivative of the Germanic words "shous" or "shuos" which mean "soot". The initial form of this name likely had the prefix "sch" or "sh". This prefix was then added to the suffix "house" which was used to denote a dwelling. As the surname became more popular, variations began to arise in spelling and pronunciation.
The surname could also have originated from Shoux, a corrupt spelling (or perhaps pronunciation) of the Dutch word "schouw", meaning to watch or spy. This name is likely applied to someone who watched or kept guard along a border.
The surname Shouse is still common today and is found in all parts of the world. Its many variants are all derived from the same origin, and all carry on the same legacy of their ancestors who adapted and evolved their name over time.
Famous people with the name Shouse
- Jonathan Shouse: American actor, writer,and producer.
- Charles Shouse: American legal scholar and professor emeritus at The George Washington University Law School.
- William Shouse: American lawyer and philanthropist.
- Robert Shouse: American politician and representative of Oklahoma in Congress.
- C.H. Shouse: American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1915-1935.
- William Shouse II: American philanthropist who was the president of the donor-advised fund Inova Charitable Foundation.
- Rainn Wilson: American actor and comedian, whose original name was Rainn Dietrich Shouse.
- Brendan Shouse: American actor, known for his roles in the TV series, Bones, and the movies, War Horse, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
- Brad Shouse: American actor, known best for his roles in the movies Superman Returns and Hostel: Part II.
- Jerry Shouse: American actor who has appeared in films and television shows, including The Simpsons, Seinfeld, and Murphy Brown.