Surname DeWithe - Meaning and Origin

DeWithe: What does the surname DeWithe mean?

The last name DeWithe is of English origins and is thought to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon 'de Wight', meaning “from the Isle of Wight.” This could be a reference to a person who originally lived on the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England. It could also refer to someone with ancestral connections to the Isle of Wight.

Alternately, the name could be from the Middle Low German 'DeWitt', meaning “the white” or “the blondest” and could refer to someone of fair features or with light hair.

DeWithe as a surname first appeared in records in the mid 14th century in Lancashire, England. Over the centuries, those bearing the DeWithe family name lived throughout England, including Lancashire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Descendants of the DeWithe family can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Today, the surname is held by numerous families, both in Europe and in the English-speaking world, with many variant spellings of the name. The common variants include Dewey, Dewitt, Dewit, DeWittee and DeWit. These various spellings of the name serve to indicate the geographical, cultural and social origin of its various bearers.

DeWithe: Where does the name DeWithe come from?

The surname DeWithe appears to be uncommon and there's limited information about its origin. The prefix 'De' suggests it could possibly have roots in French, Belgian, or Dutch language, meaning 'of’ or ‘from’, often indicating noble ancestry. In these contexts, 'Withe' could be a place name, though there isn't a directly corresponding location known. It’s also possible that 'Withe' is a profession or description; for example, in Old English ‘withe’ refers to a flexible twig or band used for binding, hence could indicate an ancestor's profession involving weaving or binding. The actual origin, geographic prevalence and meaning of the surname DeWithe remains uncertain without more specific genealogical investigation. It isn't listed as a common surname today in any specific geographical area based on publicly available databases. It's advisable for interested individuals to perform specific genealogical research or DNA analysis for more precise information about the DeWithe surname.

Variations of the surname DeWithe

The surname DeWithe is relatively rare and its exact origin may be difficult to trace. It appears to possibly have Dutch or English roots, based on the "De" prefix which is common in Dutch names, and the "Withe", which could be a version of "White" or "Withe" in English.

Some potential variants or alternate spellings for DeWithe could include: DeWith, DeWhite, DeWitte, Dewitt, Whithe, Withe, or even Dewhite. 'Dewith' or 'Dewit' could be more common variants in Dutch.

Consider "De Witte" or "De Witt", both are common in the Netherlands. For English variations, it could be linked to the surname Withers or Wither. "De" could also have been added to the front of an existing surname, making the original possibly just 'Withe'.

Another possibility is that it could be a phonetic spelling of a different surname, so people who spoke different languages could have interpreted it differently.

Keep in mind that surnames often change over time and can be influenced by many factors such as immigration, literacy rates, and cultural or regional dialects. It's suggested to consult with a genealogist or conduct thorough genealogical research to trace the origin and variations of the surname.

Famous people with the name DeWithe

• Brad DeWitt: Actor and Musician
• Brian DeWitt: Producer
• Carol DeWitt: Artist
• Dennis Dewitt: Founder and CEO of Super Shoes
• Donald DeWitt: Retired NFL Player
• Ella DeWitt: Synthpop Musician
• Everett DeWitt: Actor
• Frank DeWitt: Scientist and Experimenter
• Garrett DeWitt: Football Player
• George DeWitt: NFL Soccer Player
• Heather DeWitt: Actress
• Jason DeWitt: Football Player
• John DeWitt: Poet and Author
• Kevin DeWitt: Instagram Influencer
• Lucinda DeWitt: Furniture Designer
• Margot DeWitt: Painter and Printmaker
• Mark DeWitt: Entrepreneur
• Nathan DeWitt: Jazz Drummer
• Oliver DeWitt: Actor
• Paul DeWitt: Pilot and Instructor

Other surnames

DeWittDewitz