Surname Lewthwaite - Meaning and Origin
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Lewthwaite: What does the surname Lewthwaite mean?
The last name Lewthwaite is of Old English origin. It is derived from a location name, 'leouwuuath' which means hill stream. It is a descriptive name for someone who lived near a hill stream.
The Lewthwaites are believed to have originated in the North West of England, primarily in Lancaster and Yorkshire. It is likely that this line of families have been in the area for hundreds of years.
One of the oldest records of this name is from the birth of a Thomas Lewthwaite in Heversham, Lancashire in 1575. Throughout the centuries, members of the Lewthwaite family have held important roles in the local communities in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
In North America, it is believed that the Lewthwaites emigrated from England as early as the 17th century. Today, the Lewthwaite name is more common in countries such as USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The surname Lewthwaite is an enduring legacy among its bearers today and is a reminder of their ancestors who took a brave leap across the Atlantic to start a new life in a strange new world.
Order DNA origin analysisLewthwaite: Where does the name Lewthwaite come from?
The last name Lewthwaite is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. There, Lewthwaites reside in all corners of the country from the north east of Scotland to the south west of England. According to the 2018 United Kingdom census, there were 966 people with the last name Lewthwaite.
Lewthwaite is a habitational name derived from Lewthwaite, which is a place in Cumberland, England. The etymology of the name is thought to come from Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon words meaning "lax" or "leek" and "thwaite" which means "clearing in the woods".
In addition to the United Kingdom, there are Lewthwaites in Canada, the United States and Australia. While there are less prominent there than in the United Kingdom, the Lewthwaites continue to emigrate from the United Kingdom, particularly to these countries. This means that there is likely to be more Lewthwaites in these countries as time passes.
The Lewthwaite name is significant because it has been in existence since at least the 15th century in Cumberland. The small family of Lewthwaites in Cumberland has grown over the centuries to include Lewthwaites in many parts of the world. Despite this growth, the Lewthwaite name is still most commonly found in the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Lewthwaite
The surname Lewthwaite is a common norther England name and has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common spelling of the name is Lewthwaite, although alternative spellings are Laythwaite, Laythwayte, Lawtwayte, Louthwaite, Louthwaight, Lawthwaight, and Lawthwaite. Common variants include Lewithwaite, Leathwaite, and Leathwayte.
The origin of the surname Lewthwaite is likely English although there is a small possibility it could be Celtic or Scottish. It is derived from a similar name Lowe; term used to describe a "low lying meadow or grassland".
The variations of Lewthwaite are scattered throughout multiple countries, with the most common appearance in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the United States, it can be found primarily in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia.
Other surnames of similar origin include Lowth, Lowthorpe, Lawter, and Louth.
In recent years, Lewthwaite has become increasingly popular in the UK as a first name, often being used among people with Irish or Scottish heritage. The variations in spelling and origin of the Lewthwaite surname make it a unique and distinctive appellation.
Famous people with the name Lewthwaite
- Samantha Lewthwaite, a British woman of Northern Irish origin who is linked to terrorism.
- Isabel Lewthwaite, a British poet and writer who looked at the impact of politics and emotion on the world.
- Patrick Lewthwaite, an English astrophysicist who studied the evolution of stars.
- Heather Lewthwaite, an English cricketer who played for Leicestershire and Kent.
- Andrew Lewthwaite, a New Zealand winemaker who was named Air New Zealand Winemaker of the Year in 2011
- Daniel Lewthwaite, an English actor who starred in Coronation Street.
- Sara Lewthwaite, an American novelist most well-known for her best-selling novel The Dewey Decimal System.
- Mary Lewthwaite, an English painter whose twist on traditional realism has been acclaimed by critics.
- Stephen Lewthwaite, a British music journalist who wrote for several newspapers and magazines, including the NME.
- Joseph Lewthwaite, an Australian lawyer and politician who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 19th century.