Surname Loewi - Meaning and Origin
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Loewi: What does the surname Loewi mean?
Loewi is a German surname likely derived from Liebwein, which means "dear friend" in German. The first recorded use of the surname was found in the 13th century in Lorraine, France, when a family known as de Loewin was first recorded.
In the following centuries, the name spread north to Germany and Austria, where it eventually changed into the spelling of Loewi or Löwi. Loewi was also adopted throughout Europe and Central America, owing to the immigration of German citizens.
Today, many people with the surname Loewi can be found living all over the world. The most common countries of origin are Germany, Austria, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and Australia.
The many variations of the Loewi surname show just how diverse and international it has become. Different families likely adopted different versions of the name, owing to language and culture differences. This means that the original meaning of the name, "dear friend," is still present in its many worldwide variations.
Order DNA origin analysisLoewi: Where does the name Loewi come from?
The last name Loewi is most commonly found amongst Jewish families, particularly in the United States and Israel. It originated as a German and Austrian last name, likely deriving from the middle high German word "löwe"meaning "lion". In the 19th century, the name Loewi was popular among Jews in many parts of central and eastern Europe. In the early 20th century, however, the name Loewi began to appear in other countries through voluntary and forced migrations of Jewish families.
Since then, the Loewi name has flourished worldwide, mainly in the USA and Israel. In the US, the largest number of Loewi families can be found in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts. In Israel, Loewi families are particularly common in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Beersheba. In general, the last name is most common in big cities.*
In the US, some Loewi families can be traced back to the 19th century, when the first Loewis began to arrive from Europe. It is thought that the majority of the Loewi families in the US, however, descended from post-WWII European immigrants who started to arrive in the country in the 1950s and 60s.
In terms of distribution outside of the US and Israel, the name Loewi is also found in Latin America (particularly Argentina and Brazil), Canada, Germany, Austria, and France.
Today, the Loewi name is found in many parts of the world, spread mainly through diaspora and intermarriage. It has become associated with hard work and success.
*Source: https://www.houseofnames.com/loewi-family-crest
Variations of the surname Loewi
The surname Loewi is derived from the German word "loewi", which means lion. Variants of this surname include Lewi, Lewy, Löwi, Löwy, Lowe, Lowy, Leoues, Lewes, and Lois.
The spelling and pronunciation of the surname Loewi varies by region and language. In German, it is spelled as "Löwi". In English, it is most often spelled as "Lewi" or "Lowe". In some areas, it can also be spelled as "Loewi".
In Jewish contexts, the surname can be spelled as "Löwi" or "Loeb". It is also sometimes spelled as "Löwe" or "Lowe". In Hebrew, it is spelled as "לעב". The surname Loeb is derived from the Hebrew name "Levi".
Additionally, the surname Loewi can also be found in Christianity, where it is often spelled as Lewi, Lowey or Loei. In Dutch and other Low German dialects, it can be spelled as Lewes, Loeis, Lewies or Lewys.
The surname Loewi is an ancient name, with a long and rich history tracing back to its origins in Central Europe. Evidence of the name can be found in the 1st century AD, in the Latin form "Leo". Since then, the surname has evolved and spread around the world, gaining many different variants and spellings.
Famous people with the name Loewi
- Otto Loewi: Nobel Prize winning German pharmacologist and psychiatrist who was the first to demonstrate chemical transmission of nerve impulses.
- Carl Loewi: German geographer best known for his research on medieval and early modern cartography.
- Ruth Loewi: American-born Israeli writer, author of six novels, including the acclaimed “The Second Hour”.
- Laura Loewi: Author and television presenter from Germany.
- Marie Loewi: Austrian film actress.
- Paul Loewi: Famous German theatre director.
- Hans Loewi: Austrian-American physicist and inventor.
- Friederich Loewi: German-born American composer and violinist.
- Rudolf Loewi: Austrian physical chemist, bacteriologist, and professor who was part of the team that discovered oxygen.
- Stephen Loewi: German general practitioner and consultant in paediatrics who pioneered research into the effects of air pollution on children.