Surname Lefew - Meaning and Origin
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Lefew: What does the surname Lefew mean?
The surname Lefew (sometimes spelled Lefue or Lafew) has French origins, though it could come from a number of places. It is unclear when the name first appeared, but it is thought to originate in either Normandy or Burgundy.
In France, people with the surname Lefew are known to be descendants of French dukes from the House of Burgundy. This prestigious family provided a number of kings, rulers and high-ranking church figures and their name reflects their noble heritage.
In England, it is believed that the surname Lefew appears as a variant of the English surname Laftwiche. This name originates from a number of places in England, including Gloucester and Hereford and is thought to mean “field of the leafe”.
It is also thought that the surname Lefew is a variation of the Norman-French last name Lafleur, which literally translates to “the flower”. This would suggest that, at some point in history, individuals with the Lefew name may have had connections to a flower, such as a florist, herbalist, gardener or even botanist.
No matter where it originated, the surname Lefew reflects a long and intriguing history. Those with the name are likely to have a number of interesting tales that tell of their past and where their name comes from.
Order DNA origin analysisLefew: Where does the name Lefew come from?
The last name Lefew is most common in the United States, with the highest concentrations in Southern states like Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
The Lefew surname is believed to have originated in France with protestant Huguenots who settled in England around the mid-1600s. Other records indicate that some families arrived a bit earlier, fleeing the religious persecution in France. The first known record of the Lefew family name in the United States are around 1730 when three brothers named John, George, and Peter Lefew arrived in Virginia from England.
The Lefews spread from Virginia, heading south and into Tennessee in the 1780s. The family then moved into North Carolina, then Alabama and Georgia by the early 1800s. Many of the descendants can be found today in the states of Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
In addition, the name Lefew can be found in Canada, mostly in Alberta, along with a few isolated families in New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.
The genealogical research service Ancestry.com reveals that the largest concentration of the Lefew name can be found in Georgia, the largest state in the southeastern region of the United States.
The Lefew name still resonates throughout the South today, with members of the family found in most Southern states.
Variations of the surname Lefew
The surname Lefew is an occupational name for a person who made or sold cloth or who ran a cloth business. It comes from the Old French word "lof," meaning a woven cloth. The variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Lefew include:
LeFeau, LaFau, Lafaw, LaFoe, LaFave, LeFevre, LaFever, Lefevor, LeFave, Lafever, Lafeuer, LeFay, Lefoie, Lefoe, LaFoy, Lefoy, LaFeu, Lefevre, Lefeuvre, LaFoeuvre, LaFu, LaFus, Lefeus, Lefuy, Lafuis, LeFou, LaFouge, LeFougue, LaFond, and LaFont.
The variations of the LeFeu surname also include LeFeus and LaFaus, which originate from the French word lofeur, meaning a cloth maker or seller. LeFouge and LaFouge are alternative spellings of Lefeu and LaFeu, deriving from lof, meaning a woven cloth. LeFevre and LaFevre come from the French term lefevrier, which was an occupational name for a wool merchant. LaFu, LaFus, and Lefeus are derived from the Old French word loff, meaning clothing, fabric, or cloth. Finally, LaFond and LaFont are variations on the French word lafon, meaning a cloth seller.
In conclusion, the variation, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Lefew are numerous and often varied. They all derive from some form of the old French words meaning cloth, fabrics, and woven wares.
Famous people with the name Lefew
- Tory Lefew: Grammy Award-winning American R&B singer-songwriter.
- Bart Lefew: American bluegrass musician.
- Chuck Lefew: Professional basketball player who played in the NBA.
- Nathan Lefew: Professional American soccer player.
- Xavier Lefew: American Olympic snowboarder.
- Addyson Lefew: American child actress.
- Joe Lefew: Professional baseball player and international sports broadcaster.
- Emily Lefew: Filmmaker and producer.
- Kalani Lefew: Professional surfer and environmental advocate.
- Dave Lefew: American country musician.
- Will Lefew: Indie-rock singer-songwriter and musician.
- Tarah Lefew: YouTube personality and host of Tarah Talk.
- Rachell Lefew: Producer and editor for BuzzfeedVideo.
- Todd Lefew: Street artist from North Carolina.
- Jared Lefew: Professional snowboarder and action sports athlete.