Louis

Louis is a British surname of French origin, derived from the given name Louis which means "renowned warrior" or "famous in battle". The surname Louis is found mainly in the United Kingdom, particularly in areas with historical ties to France.

Origin and Meaning

The surname Louis originated as a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from the first name of an ancestor. In this case, it is derived from the given name Louis, which was popularised by several French kings and saints. The name Louis itself has Germanic roots and is composed of the elements hlud, meaning "fame", and wig, meaning "warrior".

Distribution and Variants

The surname Louis is not as common as some other British surnames but can be found throughout the UK, often in regions with a history of French influence. Variants and derivatives of the surname include Lewis, Lewes, and Lewie.

Notable People

Notable individuals with the surname Louis have made contributions in various fields, including arts, science, and politics. Some famous bearers of the surname Louis include:

  • Joe Louis (1914–1981): American professional boxer, nicknamed the "Brown Bomber".
  • Eric Louis (b. 1965): British abstract artist known for his vibrant and expressive paintings.

References

  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland.
  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames.

There are approximately 1,611 people named Louis in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,038th most common surname in Britain. Around 25 in a million people in Britain are named Louis.

Surname type: From given name or forename

Region of origin: Europe

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • Christopher
  • Daniel
  • David
  • Imran
  • John
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Catherine
  • Diana
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Joanne
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Maria
  • Marie
  • Mary
  • Rebecca
  • Saira
  • 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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