Surname Dewese - Meaning and Origin

Dewese: What does the surname Dewese mean?

The last name Dewese is of Norman origin and is believed to have been derived from the Old French word deu, which roughly translates to “of the gods.” The name was likely used to designate a family with royal or noble lineage. The literal translation of Dewese is “of the gods” or “descendant of the gods.”

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 AD brought many new names and surnames to the British Isles. Dewese is a common French-Norman surname, which spread throughout northern England and across parts of Scotland. It is likely that the first bearer of the name was a Norman nobleman or warrior who served at the court of King William the Conqueror.

The surname Dewese can be found in records dating back to the 13th century, with the first recorded spelling being William de Wese in 1238 in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire. The name can also be found in the 17th century Parish records of Canterbury.

Throughout centuries the name has spread across England and Europe, as well as to North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, many people with the last name Dewese can be found in the United Kingdom and the United States. While the original meaning of the name has been lost, the legacy of the family's Norman origins will likely live on for generations to come.

Dewese: Where does the name Dewese come from?

The last name Dewese is one that is found mainly in the United States today. The Dewese surname is considered a relatively rare one. It is believed to have originated in either Germany or the United Kingdom.

In the United States, the highest concentration of the Dewese surname is found in the states of Texas, Maryland, and Virginia. It is estimated that there are around 3,000 Dewese families in the United States with the surname. The name is also found in Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world.

The Dewese surname has many variants, including Douse, Deweese, Dewees, Deeves, Dewce, and Devese. Different spellings can be related to the various European languages from which the name could have originated.

The origin of the name Dewese is likely a combination of the Old English “dwith” which means dread or terror and the Latin “ceae” meaning of the sea. This combination of words could possibly suggest the meaning of a person who is daring and fearless, a true adventurer able to face harsh conditions and intimidating challenges.

So today, those with the Dewese family name can be found in many parts of the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Dewese

The surname Dewese is a patronymic surname of English origin. It is derived from the personal name Dewe, which is itself a diminutive form of the name David. Variants of the surname include Dewey, DeWees, Deweese, Dewees, Dewis, DeWise, Deweys, and DeWyss.

The variant Dewey is the most common, and can be found in records since the 13th century. For example, the book Antient Kalendars, Charters, & Records describes a Thomas Dewey (or De weye) of Oxfordshire in 1273.

The variant DeWees has been around since the 1400s. For instance, the book The Politics of Understanding: The Party, Leavesley, and Martin Families in 15th-Century England talks about a Gilbert DeWees of Warwickshire back in 1450.

The other variants – Dewees, Dewis, DeWise, Deweys, and DeWyss – aren't as common. They are likely variants used by different branches of the same family. For example, the variant DeWise was probably adopted by or given to an individual whose middle name was Wise.

Other variants such as Dewesse, DeWeese, and Dewiss are not variants of the same surname. Dewesse is actually a modern German name, while DeWeese and Dewiss are American variants of the surname Doig.

Famous people with the name Dewese

• Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Actor and former professional wrestler.
• Tricia Dewese: Former American beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss United States in 1994.
• Chris Dewese: Former Major League Baseball catcher who played from 1990 to 1997.
• James Dewese: American jockey who has won six Grade I races.
• Travis Dewese: American former freestyle wrestler and judoka who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Tyson Dewese: American professional mixed martial artist competing in the light heavyweight division of the Bellator Fighting Championships.
• Karla Dewese: Award-winning American theatrical and film actress.
• Paula Dewese: American painter and founding member of the 1968 New York ArTists’ cooperative, the Ninth Street Show.
• Billy Dee Williams: Actor, singer, and former professional basketball player known for his memorable roles in the films Star Wars, Batman, and The Last Dragon.
• Jazmine Dewese: American R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

Other surnames

Dewes