Surname Trew - Meaning and Origin

Trew: What does the surname Trew mean?

The surname Trew is of Old Norman origin and derives from the ancient French personal name Truel, derived from the word "tréfil," Latin for "filter, sift." During the Middle Ages, this surname was used by families throughout Northern France. It was popular amongst the Gascons, a tribe of southwestern France, and from them it spread to the British Isles when William the Conqueror invaded in 1066AD.

Trew was particularly common in England and became established in Cornwall and Devon. Records of the Trew family in these counties date back as far as 1273AD when John Trew owned estates in Devon and Sybil de Trew owned land in Cornwall.

The meaning of Trew is believed to signify a truthful and trustworthy individual, likely derived from the old French word ‘truel’. It is likely to have been taken as a nickname by families who respected and relied on the honesty of one of their members.

Today, the surname Trew is spread throughout England and North America, and its original meaning of truth and trustworthiness is still respected. People with this surname are thought to be reliable and hold a strong sense of integrity, making them well-respected members of society.

Trew: Where does the name Trew come from?

The last name Trew is believed to have originated in the southwest of England, with the earliest records of the name dated to the early 1600s. Today, it is most common in the Cornwall region of England, particularly in the area around the towns of Truro and Falmouth. The Trew Surname Project estimates that more than 500 different Trew families may be living in this region.

The name is also common in the United States, especially in the midwest and east coast. It is believed that many of the Trews in the US are descended from the original families that emigrated from Cornwall in the 1600s - 1700s. The largest number of American Trews live in the states of Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan. It is also found in smaller numbers throughout the rest of the US.

The name is also present in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and in other parts of Europe, including Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. It appears to be quite rare in Asia, South America, and Africa.

Overall, the last name Trew is most common in the region of its origin in the southwest of England, but can also be found scattered in small numbers throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Trew

The surname Trew is of English origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle English word trewe, which has the meaning "true," "faithful," or "trustworthy." The surname Trew is found mainly in Somerset and Devon, England. Different variants of the surname include Trow, Trough, Tru, and Truax.

In some cases, Trew is an Anglicised form of some of the Germanic, onomastic traditions including Trauf, Traufe, and Treuf. The spelling of these surnames Trow, Tru, and Trough can all be Anglicised forms of variants of this Germanic onomastic tradition, meaning that they are formed from the same root.

Trew can also be an Americanised variant of the surnames Truax and Trow. In America, many immigrants changed or Anglicized their names upon arriving in the hope of assimilating into American society. Today, variants of the surname Trew are still found in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States.

Other variants of the surname Trew include Trowe, Trowle, Trewhella, Trewhitt, Truell, Truel, Trew, and Trull.

Famous people with the name Trew

• Angus Trew: British entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor
• Justin Trew: Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender
• Dr. Christopher Trew: British physician, researcher, and editor of the international chronic pain journal, Pain Matters
• Francis Trew: British Army Officer and an early advocate for the preservation of England’s historic monuments
• Harold Trew: British author and illustrator of educational books
• Katie Trew: British field hockey player
• Neil Trew: British actor and dancer
• Raymond Trew: British professional golfer
• Rex Trew: Australian librarian, author, and broadcaster
• Robert Trew: American politician who served in the Virginia House of Delegates
• Tamsin Trew: British gardener and pro-environment advocate
• Tom Trew: Canadian football player
• William Trew: English painter, poet, and member of the Royal Society of Artists

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