Surname Egnew - Meaning and Origin

Egnew: What does the surname Egnew mean?

The last name Egnew is of English, Scottish, and French origin. The name originates from the French surnames Agnew or Antoine, both of which were derived from the Latin word antiquus, meaning ancient or old. It is most likely a patronymic surname, indicating a direct link to a certain ancestor.

In early records, the surname Egnew was found mostly in North West and Central England, and in Scotland. Notable people with the surname include Scottish parliamentarian Alexander Egnew in 1676 and Jandy Egnew, an American professional football player.

The name is found among several ancient families, particularly in Scotland. Records show that the family were originally an extended family of Scottish and French landowners whose descendants have spread across the British Isles and beyond.

The surname has several variations including the French Ennew, the occasional Scottish Enno, and the English Innis, Egnall, and Egneaux.

Today, families bearing the surname Egnew are found around the globe, often in countries which were former British colonies such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

Egnew: Where does the name Egnew come from?

The last name Egnew is most commonly found in the English-speaking world today. It is primarily a British surname, although its origin is uncertain. Some record suggest it might be derived from the Old English personal name Edgar or Egbert. The earliest records of this name can be found in Scotland and England, with examples dating as far back as the 14th century.

The name is still most popular in Britain, but has spread further afield. In the United States, Egnew is present in most states, albeit in small numbers. The largest concentrations are in the South, particularly in Tennessee and Mississippi. Interestingly, the number of people with this name decreased dramatically between the 1940s and 1950s.

In Canada, the last name Egnew is present in all provinces, although is particularly common in Alberta and Newfoundland. The name may also be found in Australia, particularly in Western Australia, and in New Zealand.

The surname Egnew is usually associated with British ancestry, but can be found in other countries around the world. It is still common in its place of origin, but has become a global surname as it has gradually spread.

Variations of the surname Egnew

The surname Egnew is derived from an old Norse name, "Eggni-varr" meaning an island dweller. This surname is often spelled in a variety of ways, including Eggnew, Egnor, Eggnor, Eggner, Egner, Egnar, Egner, Egnerr, Egnur, Egnor, and Egnorr.

Egnew is a fairly uncommon name, especially in the United States. It is largely found in Britain and Ireland, but is also found in France and Germany. In Scotland, the spelling is usually given as Egnor or Eggnew.

In the United States the surname is sometimes written as Eggnay or even Ingall. It is also sometimes seen as written Eggnay, Egnew, Eggnea, Eggney, Eggnor, Eggner and Eggnar.

The spelling of the surname changes depending on the country of origin, but all of the spellings essentially mean the same thing; a person descended from an island dweller.

Many surnames that are similar in origin and pronunciation to Egnew are also found worldwide. These include Eggengoor, Eggenko, Eggins, Eakin, Akingo, Eggon, and Agnew.

The best way to trace the origin of the surname is to research your family tree. The more information you have about your ancestors, the easier it will be to determine whether the surname Egnew is part of your heritage. It is possible that you may find relatives living in different parts of the world with the same surname.

Famous people with the name Egnew

• Melissa Egnew: American actress and comedian
• Matthew Egnew: American criminal defense attorney
• Brad Egnew: American bodybuilder
• Don Egnew: American football player
• Mel Egnew: American musician and songwriter
• Ethel Egnew: American lawyer
• Mike Egnew: American football player
• Tony Egnew: American painter and gallery owner
• Bill Egnew: American military veteran and editor
• Tonya Egnew: American historian and author

Other surnames

Egner