Surname Uwins - Meaning and Origin
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Uwins: What does the surname Uwins mean?
The last name Uwins is of English origin and is believed to have been derived from either a toponymic or occupational surname. Toponymic surnames are derived from the name of a place, such as a region, town, or village. Occupational surnames are derived from the trade or profession of an ancestor.
In this case, Uwins may have been a toponymic surname derived from the Old English word 'uuan' meaning 'in the wolds'. Alternatively, it could have been an occupational surname for someone who worked in the wool or clothing industry, taking the Anglo-Saxon 'wian' meaning 'to weave'.
The surname Uwins is found predominantly in Devon and Cornwall, two bordering counties on the south west coast of England. It is believed that the two oldest recorded iterations of the surname were Simon Uwines and Alexander Ovynes documented in the Hundred rolls of Hertfordshire in 1279.
The Uwins family crest is in the form of a rooster, which is symbolic of strength and courage. It is believed to signify a place of origin for the Uwins family. The shield includes three silver crescents, representing hope, loyalty, and faith, as well as a silver cross with a silver crescent on it, representing piety and holiness.
Order DNA origin analysisUwins: Where does the name Uwins come from?
The surname Uwins is common in Southwestern England, particularly in the counties of Cornwall and Devon. The name is believed to have originated from the Welsh personal name "Uwain", which itself was derived from the Medieval Welsh phrase "ut gwaen", meaning "deep waters".
The earliest documented use of the Uwins surname was in Cornwall in 1290 in connection with Walter Uwins. Through the 18th century, records of Uwins surnames can be found throughout Cornwall and Devon and in records of British emigrants to North America from these counties.
In the 19th century and early 20th century, the name Uwins became more widespread in the UK as people moved to cities from rural areas for employment opportunities. The surname quickly became concentrated in London and several other major cities, particularly in South East England.
Today, the Uwins surname is most common in cities throughout southern England, particularly in the counties of Middlesex, Surrey, Essex and Somerset. The name is also commonly found in Australia, where it has an longstanding history strongly connected to Cornwall and Cornwall's influence on Australian culture and language.
The Uwins surname is also often found in records of Cornish immigrants to the United States during the 1840s and 1850s, indicating an American branch of the Uwins family. Today the Uwins surname is well established in the United States, with many family members born and raised in Wisconsin, Texas, Colorado and other states.
Variations of the surname Uwins
The surname Uwins originated from England and is derived from the Medieval English "Uwin," which is a combination of the Old English pre 7th century "Uuen 'meaning 'friend' and 'ig' which means "island" or "enclosure" or "settlement". As such, it could either be a topographical name for someone who lived on an island, or a locational name for someone who lived near one.
Variations of the original surname Uwins have developed over time, and some of the most common variants include Uwin, Uwen, Uwine, Uwein, Uweyn, Uwenne and Uwyn.
The surname Uwins can also be spelled as Owyns and Owens, as well as Ywins and Ywins. Additionally, other surnames of the same origin include Uensor, Uenizor, Ueneneer, Ueniksor, Uentener, Uenvator and Uenor.
Uwins is also a rare Scandinavian surname, mostly found in Denmark and Norway. It is derived from the Old Norse vin which translates as “friend”, and is sometimes spelled as Uller.
Overall, the surname Uwins is a unique and interesting one that has a wide variation of variants and spellings associated with it. With its roots firmly entrenched in British and Norwegian history, it is sure to remain a distinctive name for generations to come.
Famous people with the name Uwins
- Jack Uwins: English cricketer who captained England in two Test Matches in the 1880s.
- Dave Uwins: professional rugby player for the Australian National Rugby League team.
- June Uwins: Canadian classical and jazz violinist.
- Paul Uwins: English footballer and sporting journalist known for his work on the BBC.
- George Uwins: Canadian military officer and recipient of the Queen's Medal for Military Service.
- Sarah Uwins: Australian contemporary painter.
- Graham Uwins: retired British diplomat and current CEO of the food charity Fareshare.
- Eileen Uwins: English painter and sculptor.
- Tom Uwins: English former boxer who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.
- Catherine Uwins: English actress known for her appearances in the films "Femme Fatale" and "Tulip Fever".