Lewis

Lewis is a common surname of English origin that can be traced back to the medieval period in Britain. The name is derived from the first name "Louis," which was introduced to England by the Normans after the 1066 Norman Conquest.

Origins

The surname Lewis originated as a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Lewis." The name Lewis comes from the Old French name Loois (modern French Louis), which in turn is derived from the Old High German name Chlodowig, composed of the elements hlod (fame) and wig (warrior).

Distribution and Popularity

The surname Lewis is one of the most common surnames in the United Kingdom, particularly in Wales. It is also prevalent in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to migration patterns over the centuries.

Notable Individuals

1. C.S. Lewis (1898–1963)

Clive Staples Lewis, known as C.S. Lewis, was a renowned British writer and theologian, best known for his works The Chronicles of Narnia series and Mere Christianity.

2. Lennox Lewis (b. 1965)

Lennox Lewis is a former British professional boxer who held the undisputed world heavyweight championship. He is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.

Variations

Variations of the surname Lewis include Lewes, Louis, Lewison, and Lewinsky. Over time, different branches of the Lewis family may have adopted slightly different spellings of the surname.

References

For individuals researching their family history, the surname Lewis provides a rich genealogical heritage with ties to medieval England and beyond. By exploring historical records, individuals can uncover fascinating stories and connections associated with the Lewis surname.

Overall, the surname Lewis has a long and storied history, with numerous notable individuals bearing the name and contributing to various fields such as literature, sports, and theology.

There are approximately 158,871 people named Lewis in the UK. That makes it the 19th most common surname in Britain. Around 2,440 in a million people in Britain are named Lewis.

Surname type: From name of parent

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Wales

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Welsh

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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