Surname Trevethan - Meaning and Origin
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Trevethan: What does the surname Trevethan mean?
Trevethan is a Cornish surname of British origin. The name has a geographical derivation, originating from the place called Trevethan in Cornwall, England. The prefix 'Tre' in Cornish language means 'homestead' or 'settlement', while the latter part 'vethan' is slightly more ambiguous due to different interpretations and mutations in the Cornish language over time. One of the probable meanings of 'vethan' could be 'little' or 'small'. Therefore, the surname Trevethan could potentially mean 'small homestead' or 'small settlement'. However, it is important to note that the exact meaning of the name might not be entirely accurate due to variations in the historical and regional use of language. Like many surnames that originated from geographical locations or trade professions, Trevethan might have been used to denote individuals or families residing in or originating from the homestead called Trevethan in Cornwall.
Order DNA origin analysisTrevethan: Where does the name Trevethan come from?
Today, the last name Trevethan is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. Most members of the Trevethan family in the U.K. live in the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. However, there are also a small number of Trevethan families living in other parts of the U.K., including Greater London, Kent, Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk.
The origin of the last name Trevethan can be traced back to the 12th century in Cornwall, near the town of Truro. It was initially used as a surname by the people living there, and the most common spelling, “Trevethan”, suggests it was first used by people of Cornish origin.
The Trevethan family later spread across Cornwall and eventually moved into the surrounding counties of Devon, Somerset, and some parts of the Midlands. Today, many members of the Trevethan family still live in those areas, though there has been migration to other parts of the U.K., even to countries outside the U.K., from the 19th century onward.
In terms of a Trevethan diaspora, there are families living in the U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada with the last name Trevethan. While the last name is most commonly found in the Cornish counties of the U.K., it is possible to find it in the other countries as well, all the way to the U.S.A.
Variations of the surname Trevethan
Trevethan is a surname derived from Cornwall, UK that has evolved over many centuries. The variants and spellings of the name are Trevelyn, Trevillian, Trevelethan, Trevillean, Trevigion, Trilevan, Trevillion, Trevealon, Trevivelan, Trevalion, Trevelen, Trevelean, and Trevelyan.
The origin of the surname Trevethan lies in the old Cornish language and stems from words meaning "place of Thaom". Thaom is thought to be a Cornish saint, though historical records about him are scarce.
Trevelan or Trevelyn was historically the most common spelling of the surname, and it is also the most original. Other variants of the surname are more recent developments, likely evolving as different areas of Cornwall adopted the spelling. This includes Trilevan, Trevelen, Trevaloon, Trevillion, Trevilion, Trevivelan, Trevelean, Treveleon, Treveolon, and Trevelyan.
The Trevethan surname is also found in multiple surnames derived from it, such as Trevellion, Trevellous, Trevelyan and Trethurfe, among others. All of these surnames are derived from the original Irish and Cornish Trevethan surname, however, the spelling has been modified over time.
In conclusion, the surname Trevethan has numerous variants and spellings that have evolved over centuries, stemming from the old Cornish language. The variants of the surname include Trevelyn, Trevelen, Trevillion, Trevivelan, Trevaloon, Trilevan, Trevillion, Trevelopen, Trevelean, Treveleon, Treveolon, Trevelyan, Trevellion, Trevellous and Trethurfe.
Famous people with the name Trevethan
- Edgar Trevethan: commentator, former Chair of the Wirral Peninsula Development Agency
- Dymphna Trevethan: Australian Olympian sailor
- Michael Trevethan: British diplomat
- Stuart Trevethan: English cricketer
- Ellen Trevethan: Australian Paralympic athlete
- David Trevethan: British former headmaster
- John Trevethan: BBC correspondent
- John Trevethan Curnow: lawyer and politician in Queensland, Australia
- John Henry Trevethan: British naval officer and scholar
- Maurice Francis Trevethan: Cornish historian and businessman