Surname Thews - Meaning and Origin
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Thews: What does the surname Thews mean?
The last name Thews is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English term "thwaes", meaning awl. It was likely used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was known to be skilful at working with tools such as an awl. Thews was an occupational name given to skilled craftsmen in medieval England. It is also thought to have been used as an ancestral name for a smith or maker of tools.
Thews is a surname which has become widespread in both England and Scotland. There are now several different spelling variations in use, including Thwaites, Twigg, Thwigg, Twiss, Twid and Thwaits. It is also found as Tehws in Northumberland.
The presence of the surname Thews is particularly strong in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Northumberland and Cumberland. This could suggest that the surname originated from the North-West of England, although as with many surnames, documentation is needed to trace back how far it truly goes.
Thews is also found in Scotland and the Isle of Man, and was likely brought to these countries by English settlers who moved there in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is possible that the name refers to many generations of skilled workers from this family line.
The name Thews is still relevant in the modern world. It is a proud representation of the qualities associated with the surname – a skillful and talented craftsperson. Although we may never know the exact origin, it is clear that thews has a strong connection to the making of tools and a legacy of skilled workers.
Order DNA origin analysisThews: Where does the name Thews come from?
Thews is an uncommon surname in the modern day. It can be found mainly in Germany, but there are also some occurrences of the last name in the United States. It is estimated that there are few than 1,000 people in the United States with the last name.
Thews is not particularly common in Germany today either, but there is a higher number of people who have this last name. In the 2016 census, there were 6,433 people that had the last name Thews in Germany, which accounts for about 0.01% of the population.
Thews is thought to be a patronymic surname, which is a name derived from the father or another ancestor’s given name. Thews itself is thought to be derived from the Germanic personal name Theude. It is also speculated that the name could be derived from the Middle Low German term for a small stream, which was “thewe”.
Today, the last name Thews is mostly concentrated in parts of Germany. There are also some who still bear the last name in the United States, primarily in areas with large German-American populations, such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The name is also found in areas of Europe, including Austria and Denmark, where German immigrants have settled.
Variations of the surname Thews
The surname Thews is derived from the Old French word "taillis," which refers to a thicket of bushes or undergrowth. This type of bush, in its natural state, serves as livestock's shelter, providing a safe hiding spot from larger predators. Thews is a common spelling of this surname, but other variants of the name include Thwaites, Thwaits, Twaits, and Thwaits.
In the United States, the Thews spelling is amongst the most common. In most regions, this spelling has maintained its original pronunciation which is rhyming with views. Within America, the Thwaites, Thwaits, Twaits, and Thwaits surname variants are just as popular as Thews. These variations usually maintain the same pronunciation, with a long 'e' and a short 'a' sound present at the end.
The French pronunciation of the name is slightly different to that of the American variation and is pronounced "tay". As a result, some of the more common surnames found bearing this name include Teuteu, Tutoeu, Tautou, and Teutau.
The German equivalent of the surname is 'Tews'. This variation of the name is pronounced with an 'ah' sound at the end, instead of the long 'e' sound like in the French and American forms.
Thews is a relatively popular surname, meaning there are many variations in spelling and pronunciation. The key to identifying this surname is its derived root - the old French word "taillis," which translates to a thicket or patches of bushes. Though the spellings and pronunciations may vary, they all originate from this same root and each provide clues to the origin of the surname.
Famous people with the name Thews
- Jeremiah Thews, an American football offensive tackle
- Anton Thews, an Alaska politician
- Maria Thews, an American former competitive figure skater
- Joe Thews, an American sprint canoeist
- Christian Thews, a German former middle distance runner
- Beatrix Thews, a German actress
- Herodotus Thews, a Greek lyric poet of the 6th century BC
- Roderich Thews, a German dancer and choreographer
- Conrad Thews, a German medieval historian
- Margaret Thews, a former American professional tennis player