Show ContentsDewee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Dewee

What does the name Dewee mean?

When the ancestors of the Dewee family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Devon. This family was originally from Douai, near Lille, Normandy, and it is from this location that their surname derives.

Early Origins of the Dewee family

The surname Dewee was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Dewee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dewee research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dewee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dewee Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Dewee has been recorded under many different variations, including Dewey, Dewy, Dewye and others.

Early Notables of the Dewee family

More information is included under the topic Early Dewee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dewee Ranking

South Africa, the name Dewee is the 760th most popular surname with an estimated 9,116 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Dewee family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Dewees were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: George Dewey who settled in Bristol Rhode Island in 1820; John Dewey settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1860; S.L. B.B. and A.T. Dewey and his wife, all arrived in San Francisco Cal. in 1850.



  1. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames


Houseofnames.com on Facebook