Surname Drewes - Meaning and Origin

Unlocking Surprising Heritage: A Journey into Past through iGENEA DNA Test – The Drewes' Saga

As someone with the Drewes surname, I always expected roots were solely in Western Europe. However, the iGENEA DNA test whimsically took me on an exploration journey where I found unexpected connections in Eastern Europe and North Africa. My understanding of my family heritage experienced a profound twist, one that broadens my perspective on history and the immense possibilities of human migration. Expanded beyond the expected borders.

S. Drewes

Drewes: What does the surname Drewes mean?

The last name Drewes is a German surname of old German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "Drûs", which referred to a "dweller in the woods". This is a surname which was likely first used by people living in and working in the forests of Germany during the Middle Ages.

The name is thought to have been derived from the words "dru" and "wasser" meaning "woods" and "water" respectively. This suggests that the name was originally adopted by those families who lived on or near large bodies of water surrounded by woods.

It is also thought that Drewes was originally used as an occupational nickname for someone whose job was related to forestry, such as a woodcutter or lumberjack. In some cases, it could also have been used to refer to those who hunted game and fished in the nearby rivers, lakes, and streams.

Over time, the surname Drewes spread throughout Germany and other countries with immigration patterns. Today, the name is found mostly in areas of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and even the United States.

The name Drewes stands as a reminder of the close relationship many people had to the forest and its life, and the respect they gave to those who worked among the woods.

Drewes: Where does the name Drewes come from?

The last name Drewes is commonly found throughout Europe, especially in Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany, it is the 27th most common last name. It is also found in the United States, with the highest concentration in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Records show that immigrants with the name Drewes began to arrive in the United States in the 19th century.

In Germany, most of the people with the last name Drewes are grouped in the area of North Rhine-Westphalia. Within this region, they are found in larger cities like Berlin and Hamburg. Additionally, they are scattered throughout the country’s smaller cities.

The Netherlands also shows a large population of individuals with the last name Drewes. Many of them are located in the North Brabant and Overijssel provinces. Records also show that individuals with this last name arrived in the Netherlands from Germany in the mid-19th century.

Today, the last name Drewes is considered to be rare. It has not become as widespread as some other German and Dutch last names, such as Schmidt and Van Der Veen. Despite its low frequency, individuals with the last name Drewes can be found in many areas of Europe and North America.

Variations of the surname Drewes

The surname Drewes is an anglicized form of the German family name Dröge which originated from Northern Germany near the Lowlands. It is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Dröge,” where Dröge was derived from the German word “drogen,” which means to drip or to trickle.

Variants of the surname Drewes include Dröge, Drugge, Drees, and Dreger.

Various spellings of the surname Drewes include Droes, Droge, Droege, Drodge, Drogge, Drues, Druge, Druge, Druger, Droges, Druger, Drugges, Druege, Drudge, Drudges, Drugees, Drueges, Druegers, and Druggers.

Surnames with similar origins and meanings to Drewes include Dray, Drawing, Drugg, Dralker, Droste, Droungs, Drope, and Drost.

Altogether, there are numerous variations of the original Germanic surname Dröge which has been transformed into a variety of forms and spellings over the centuries. These variants and spellings, including Drewes, are used throughout different parts of Germany (and other countries) today.

Famous people with the name Drewes

• Paul Drewes: Meteorologist and news anchor for KABC in Los Angeles.
• Willi Drewes: German actor and voice actor.
• Martha Drewes: Writer and journalist who co-founded the avant-garde magazine The Fox in 1922.
• Hans Drewes: Dutch painter known for his still lifes, landscapes, and animal paintings.
• Curtis Drewes: American illustrator, painter, and sculptor best known for his brightly colored lithographs and his animal sculptures.
• Christine Drewes: German actress who has appeared in various television series and films.
• Harry Drewes: German Olympian archer who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
• Richard Drewes: American sculptor whose works can be found in museums and public places around the world.
• Carola Drewes: German series regular on the popular show, Großstadtrevier.
• Louis Drewes: Dutch art critic and professor who wrote about the art of the 20th century.

Other surnames

DreweDrewery