Surname Severyns - Meaning and Origin

Severyns: What does the surname Severyns mean?

The last name Severyns is of Dutch origin and is derived from the personal name Severinus. The given name Severinus, which is itself derived from the Latin word for “severe” or “strict”, suggests a person of strong character and uncompromising principles. This name could also indicate that the person was of noble blood or had an authoritative demeanor.

Historically, the name Severyns is associated with the prominent Dutch noble family by the same name, the counts of Severyns de Driebergen, hailing from Utrecht, Netherlands. It is believed that the family is descended from prominent Norwegian nobles, and records indicate that there were families bearing the name Severyns in Norway as far back as the thirteenth century. The Dutch Severyns greatly contributed to their local political and economic history in the provinces of Utrecht and Gelderland, having started out as wealthy landowners and eventually accumulating additional wealth in the practice of trading in furs.

Given the long history of the Severyns family and the meaning of its founding given name, the last name Severyns continues to be associated with prestige, strength of character, and a strong sense of leadership.

Severyns: Where does the name Severyns come from?

The last name Severyns is most commonly found in Belgium, where it is estimated that around 500 people bear the name. The surname is especially common in Northern Belgium, including the provinces of East Flanders, West Flanders, and Antwerp. Severyns is a patronymic name, derived from Sevarens, a given name that was popular in the Middle Ages.

Severyns can also be found in small numbers in the Netherlands and in France, as well as in parts of the United States. It is especially prevalent in Wisconsin, where it is thought that around 400 people use the name. Census records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries indicate that many immigrants bearing the name Severyns fled Belgium during the World Wars and settled in Wisconsin.

In Belgium, the name Severyns is concentrated in the town of Ghyvelde, located close to the French border in East Flanders. It is believed to be the ancestral home of the Severyns family, dating back to the 16th century. There is also evidence to suggest that some members of the Severyns family may have initially migrated from the Netherlands to Belgium in the 17th century.

Variations of the surname Severyns

The surname Severyns is derived from the Latin personal name Severinus. Variations of this surname can be Severns, Severins, Severance, Severin, Severance, etc.

The examples of the surname based on various regional and language influences are:

Dutch: Severyns

German: Severn, Severin

French: Severin, Severin, Severnay

English: Severns, Severance

Swiss German: Severins, Severns, Severin

Czech: Severin, Severny, Seberny, Sairin

Danish: Severins

Polish: Siwern, Sewern

Slovak: Siwerin

Czech: Severina

The multiple spellings and surnames of the same origin could arise from any of these sources: translations, foreign language influences, an ancestor's accent or dialect, a name change or just error caused by different generations of descendants.

There are a number of relatively rare, but well-documented Severyns coat of arms registered with the Friesland College of Heraldry. One of the most notable documented arms is a red eagle on a field of gold, held by a pair of griffins. Other variations include a gold scallop shell held by a triple-headed griffin on a red field.

The most common Severyns family crest symbol is a silver crescent moon with red rays on a blue shield. This crest has been used by many branches of the Severyns family across Europe and North America. It is believed to have originated in Germany, though exact details of the origin are unknown.

Famous people with the name Severyns

• Shanaya Severyns: Canadian professional soccer player for the Montreal Impact in the National Women's Soccer League.
• Bart Severyns: Belgian former professional cyclist.
• Jan Severyns: Belgian former professional football defender and manager.
• Paul Severyns: American former track and field athlete who competed in the 800 metres and later worked as an aerospace engineer.
• Jean Dauberval Severyns: Belgian opera singer during the early 20th century.
• Els Severyns: Belgian cyclist who won two gold medals at the 1984 World track Cycling Championships.
• Dirk Severyns: Belgian professional racing cyclist and road bicycle racer who won the National Road Race Championships in 1988 and 1989.
• Henk Severyns: Belgian professional thicknesses cyclist who won the National Racing Championships in 1947 and 1949.
• Charles Severyns: Belgian former professional cyclist who competed in the Tour de France in 1942 and 1943.
• Julie Severyns: Belgian Beloftencyclo crosser.

Other surnames

Severyn