Surname Moewis - Meaning and Origin

Moewis: What does the surname Moewis mean?

The last name Moewis is of German origin. It is derived from the given name Möwe, which itself comes from the Middle High German word "mouwe", meaning "seagull". It is likely that the first Moewis family was made up of individuals living in coastal areas perhaps of Dutch, Danish, or Northern German descent. The name can also be derived from the Low German word "mouwe" which means a spinning tool, perhaps suggesting the namebearers were makers of spinning and weaving tools.

In addition to being a surname, Moewis is sometimes used as a given name, often as a variant spelling of Mois or Moses. The name is sometimes shortened to “Moes” and also occasionally spelled as Moewes, Mouwes, or Moews.

The Moewis family has remained highly esteemed in Germany, many of its members having gained positions in the state government, becoming renowned merchants, and becoming members of the upper class. Additionally, members of the Moewis family have been documented in various parts of Germany, examples being Germany's Silesian inhabitants, 19th century Prussian East-Germans, and more recently post-World War II inhabitants of East Germany.

Today, the Moewis family remains present in Germany and other European countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and England. In the United States, The Moewis Family Association was founded to recognise the shared heritage of the many abroad branches of the family. They are a warm, welcoming family who continues to honour the name's long and fascinating history.

Moewis: Where does the name Moewis come from?

The last name Moewis is predominantly found in the Netherlands and its origin is Frisian, which makes it a part of Dutch culture. The last name Moewis derived from the Old Frisian word "moewiz", meaning "gift". There is a small but steadily growing number of people with this last name in the country. In 2020 it was estimated that there were around 3.500 people with the last name Moewis living in the Netherlands.

The most common regions to find people with the Moewis surname are Gelderland, Noord-Holland, Utrecht, and Friesland. It is also known to be popular in Zeeland and Overijssel.

People with the last name may also be found in Germany, Belgium, Canada, and the United States, though those numbers tend to be much smaller.

For those who bear the Moewis name, the Netherlands holds a special appeal among those countries, as it is the spiritual home of the last name with its Frisian roots. It is also a place to connect with extended family members, making it a popular destination for those of the Moewis family to visit and stay.

Variations of the surname Moewis

The surname Moewis is of German origin. Variant spellings of the surname include Moews, Mews, Mewes, and Muees. Moewis is also occasionally seen as a variant of Moews, though this is less common. The surname also has similar-sounding surnames of other origins that it could be confused with, including Moise and Moses.

The German surname Moewis is derived from the Middle High German "mouwe", which referred to a person from the northern German region of Mecklenburg. This was a regional name, and the surname likely arose once members of the same family moved away from this region and sought to distinguish themselves.

The spelling Moews is often seen in early records of Germany and is thought to be the original spelling of the surname. In the United States, the variants Moews and Mews are most commonly used. The surname Muees is also sometimes seen.

Other, non-German similar-sounding surnames include Moise and Moses. Moise is also of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German “mouwe”, but is formed from the Latin suffix “-ius”. Similarly, Moses is of Hebrew origin and is derived from the name “Mōšeh”, which is said to mean “one who is drawn out”.

In conclusion, the surname Moewis and its variants are of German origin. The most common variants seen in the United States are Moews and Mews. However, similar-sounding surnames of other origins can be confused with Moewis. These include the German surname Moise, and the Hebrew surname Moses.

Famous people with the name Moewis

• Mark Moewis, American football player.
• Audrey Moewis, French-Swiss model and actress.
• Brantley Moewis, American investigative journalist and television correspondent.
• David Moewis, German actor.
• Gordie Moewis, Canadian country music singer.
• Johannes Moewis, Dutch motorsports driver.
• Matthew Moewis, American professional golfer
• Naval Moewis, Austrian entrepreneur and philanthropist.
• Ryan Moewis, Dutch professional ice hockey player.
• Tobin Moewis, American actor and comedian.
• Wilhelmina Moewis, Dutch cyclist.
• Yert Moewis, American production designer and filmmaker.

Other surnames

Moewius