Surname Devries - Meaning and Origin

Understanding Surname Devries Through iGENEA DNA Test: A Personal Encounter with My Ancestral Past

My engagement with the DNA testing process at iGENEA not only was a simple and exciting journey but also unlocked great insights about my past. The accuracy of the results expanded my understanding of the surname Devries, revealing more about its Dutch origin and opening up possibilities for connecting with potential distant relatives.

M. Devries

Devries: What does the surname Devries mean?

The surname Devries is of Dutch origin, derived from the personal names of Devra or Devre, meaning ‘daughter of’ or ‘son of’. Historically, the surname was an occupational one, indicating the individual was a ‘wigmaker’ or someone involved in the production and sale of wigs in the Netherlands. In Dutch, the occupation was denoted as ‘De Vrije’ which could also indicate that the individual was not subject to feudalism.

During the 1500s, the surname moved to Germany where it was spelled De Vries and eventually spread to other European countries through migration. In the United States, it is most likely to have arrived through Dutch and German immigrants during the late 1700s and 1800s.

Other variation of the name could include or be derived from De Vreede, de Vrios, Devrijs, Devreis, de Vriesse or Devriesse.

It is believed that Devries is the 11th most common last name in the Netherlands. The name is still alive and different families bearing the name exist all over the world today.

Devries: Where does the name Devries come from?

The Devries surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Belgium. It is also found with some frequency in Germany, France, South Africa, the United States, and Canada. There are several variants of the name, including DeVries, De Vries, and Devreese.

In the Netherlands, Devries is among the top fifty most common surnames. Over half of the people with this name live in the province of North Holland. The most prominent family with this surname is from Amsterdam; the historian and politician Pieter de Gaay Fortman, Jr. (1922-2011) was a member of this family.

In Belgium, Devries is the 34th most common name. Here, it is found mostly in the province of West Flanders, which is the western most province of the country. In the United States, there are around 18,000 people who bear this surname. The states with the highest numbers are Michigan, Illinois, and California.

The Devries name is also commonly found in South Africa, as the name was carried by Dutch settlers. It remains quite common in the so-called Boer communities, which are towns and settlements that were founded by Dutch immigrants.

In Canada, the name is also quite common, mostly in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. Those with ancestral roots in the Netherlands are more likely to bear this name, and the largest population of Devrieses in Canada live in the province of British Columbia.

Variations of the surname Devries

The surname Devries is a variant spelling of the Dutch-language surname De Vries, meaning "the Frisian" or "the Fri­sian". It is the Dutch-language equivalent of the German-language Frey, and therefore, the Devries surname is often spelled in various ways: DeVries, DeVries, De Vries, de Vries, deVries, deVryes, DeVryes, De Vryes, de Vryes, Devryes, DeVryes.

In addition to the various spelling variants of the Devries surname, a number of surnames of Frisian origin have also been derived from it. These surnames include Vreugdenhil, Vreugden­hil, Vredenburgh, Vredenburg, Vreugde, Vreeken, Frieden, Freed, Vreman, Vrienten, Vrij, Vrieling, Vrijer and Vriesenga.

Their spelling variants include Frydenberg, Friedenberg, Vrijenboog, Vrijenbrouw, Fryenbruegge, Vrijman, Vryman, Fryeman, Freemen, Freedman, Freidman, Vrynega, Fryenga, Frinking, Freeling, Freeling and Frielink.

It is important to note that the spelling of the Devries surname, as well as the other vari­ants and derivative surnames mentioned above, has changed over time. This is due to the phonetical changes in language and dialects, as well as the different spellings that were used in various regions and countries. Therefore, it is essential to research the surname Devries in order to trace its origin and variant spellings.

Famous people with the name Devries

• Elke deVries: actress seen in Dutch comedy films
• Dawid deVries: Dutch professional football midfielder
• André deVries: Dutch retired professional cyclist
• Bob deVries: Olympic gold medalist in sailing
• Christa deVries: Dutch former synchronized swimmer and Olympic medalist
• Laura deVries: Dutch professional volleyball player
• Pieter deVries: Olympic silver medalist in canoeing
• Imke deVries: Dutch professional showjumper
• Jochem deVries: Dutch professional basketball player
• Frido deVries: Dutch professional footballer
• Erik deVries: Olympic gold medalist in judo
• Ties deVries: Dutch former professional cyclist
• Ockje deVries: Dutch professional windsurfer
• Alphus deVries: Dutch professional golfer
• Wilke deVries: Dutch professional water polo player
• Jeffry deVries: Dutch professional speed skater
• Jani deVries: Dutch professional long-distance runner
• Quinten deVries: Dutch former professional footballer
• Daniel deVries: American professional basketball player
• Anton deVries: Dutch Olympic badminton player
• Diana deVries: Dutch former professional chess player
• Wybren deVries: Dutch former professional footballer
• Francien deVries: European championship bronze medalist in bowling
• Hadassah deVries: Dutch professional sprinter
• Mieke deVries: Dutch former professional cyclist
• Jaap deVries: Dutch former professional footballer
• Paul deVries: Dutch Olympic gold medalist in canoeing
• Rob deVries: Dutch multi-event athlete and Olympic medalist
• Siemen deVries: Dutch former professional cyclist
• Monica deVries: Dutch Olympic medalist in speed skating

Other surnames

DevrickDevrim