Surname Möwes - Meaning and Origin
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Möwes: What does the surname Möwes mean?
The last name Möwes is a German surname, originating from the pre 7th century Middle High German word “môwe” which translates to “seagull” or “gull”. It is believed the name had two possible interpretations, the first is that it was a nickname given to someone with the characteristics of a seagull, possibly because of their actions or personality, or because they were fond of seafaring and sailing and associated with the bird. The second interpretation is that it was used as an occupational surname referring to someone who worked in the fisherman industry.
The Möwes family surname is thought to have first appeared in the records of the regions of Prussia and east of Pomerania in the modern day country of Germany during the medieval period. During this time, family names were adopted in order to distinguish between the multiple people of the same given name. It is also likely that this surname was adopted particularly when families began emigrating from Germany to countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries throughout the world.
The Möwes surname is still commonly found throughout the German regions along with countries like Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein which have German speaking populations. The surname can also be found in countries that were colonised by the Dutch Republic, such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world.
The Möwes surname is a meaningful and proud link to Germany's past and still represents a proud legacy today. The name bears the stories and memories of generations past and holds a form of nostalgic nostalgia in the hearts of those who still carry the name.
Order DNA origin analysisMöwes: Where does the name Möwes come from?
The last name Möwes is most commonly found in Germany but it is also present in some other countries. According to records, the last name appears to be most common in the regions of Thüringen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Berlin. Furthermore, records also show a good amount of Möwes currently living in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony.
Möwes is a name of German origin from the Middle Ages. It is derived from the personal name Möwe, which stems from an old name known as the diminutive of the given name Maurus. The name Maurus is thought to originate from the Latin term for the Moorish people. This likely means the name Möwes is derived from a person of African ancestry, making it a distinctive European name.
Currently, the surname is quite rare, with only a few hundred people carrying the name. However, records show that at least 13,000 people in West Germany had the last name Möwes in 1987 — a significant number in such a small place.
Beyond Germany, the surname can also be found in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and more. In the US specifically, the largest concentration of Möwes can be found in California.
Overall, the surname Möwes is mainly associated with Germany although it can be found in other countries as well. As a result, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact number of people who currently have the last name.
Variations of the surname Möwes
The German surname Möwes is derived from the Middle High German word Möwe, meaning seagull. It first appeared in documents as early as the 13th century, when it designated people who lived near a beach or the sea shore.
Variations of Möwes include, but are not limited to, Mowes, Mowe, Mewes, Meus, Mewis, Mews, and Maewes. Alternate surnames derived from the same origin include Moewes, Maoews, Maews, Muehs, and Meier.
Early spellings of Möwes included Mawes, Mavis, Mowas, Mowiss, Mowez, Moweys, and Mews. In the 15th century, the spelling could also appear as Mauwe or Mavves.
Other spellings of the surname Möwesdate back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries, such as Mavor, Mawer, Mayer, Moser, Moyer, and Meuerer.
More modern spellings of the surname Möwes include Möwe, Möwen, Meue produced by 19th century literature and Hamburg phone books. The surnames Moewe and Maewe appeared in J.G.F. Rheinwald's 19th century genealogy database.
Today, the Möwes surname is most commonly found in Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Lithuania, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Famous people with the name Möwes
- Kirsten Möwes: German television journalist and presenter
- Christopher Möwes: German actor and dubbing artist
- Wolfgang Möwes: German actor
- Julius Möwes: German artist
- Paul Möwes: German actor of the silent film era
- Helga Möwes: German painter
- Lavinia Möwes: German actress and singer
- Emilia Möwes: German model
- Jean Möwes: German equestrian
- Andreas Möwes: German jurist and poet.