Surname Denslow - Meaning and Origin
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Denslow: What does the surname Denslow mean?
The last name Denslow is thought to have been derived from the Saxon/ English language, with its root words, “dens” and “hlaw”. It is believed that the name was originally given to someone who lived in a steep-sided valley or dene, with the addition of “hlaw” meaning “burial mound”.
The Denslow surname is thought to have been widely used in and around the areas of Lancashire and Cheshire in England. In Lancashire and Cheshire there appears to be connections with the names Denchfield, Denning, Denyer, and Denhale, all of which can be traced back to the same origin.
The names Denslow and Densley have been recorded in various other records dating back to the 14th century, including one William de Deneslowe, recorded in the trade records of Shropshire in 1371.
The name is of Saxon/ English origin, meaning someone who lived in a steep valley “dens”, or burial mound “hlaw”, and could refer to someone who lived close to a burial site. Though the origin of the last name Denslow is unclear, it is thought to be one that invokes a sense of nostalgia and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisDenslow: Where does the name Denslow come from?
The last name Denslow is particularly common in the United States. According to Ancestry.com, today over 20,000 people bear this surname, with Texas as the state with the highest concentration of Denslow's. It is most popular in the south-central region of the US, including the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, although there are also scattered instances in other parts of the country as well. Research shows that the surname originated in England in the 1600s, but the background of its bearers is difficult to uncover.
Various theories exist surrounding the source of the name, however, the two most popular refer to a “dens leah” or “dens low” meaning “valley clearing” in old English, as well as Danish Low, or a hillside in Denmark. While the origin of the Denslow name may remain a mystery, its strong presence in the United States reflects the country’s long history of immigration and settlement by people from different parts of the world. Whether they were known as Denslow in the motherland or adopted the name here, today, many people proudly carry the unique and distinguished name of Denslow.
Variations of the surname Denslow
Denslow is an English surname of French origin, originating from the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The variations may include Denzlow, Denzlaw, Denso, Denslau, Dezlaw, Dezlow and Denslou.
The spelling of the surname may vary and perhaps incorrectly adopted in Germany and other countries. In some cases, the letters 'E' and 'Y' may replace the 'O.' This spelling change was an attempt to anglicise the surname, but many families retained the original French spelling and variations, including Dezlow, Dezlaw, Denzlow, Denzlaw and Denslau.
It is also possible that the surname Denslow is derived from an old English word 'dense' and the Middle English word 'lo' meaning 'man.' This would make sense, given that many surnames are derived from old words that no longer exist.
The different spellings of the surname reflect its history and the locations of the family’s ancestry. For example, those of German descent may spell it "Denslou," and variations were adopted in the Netherlands (Denslouw) and Scotland (Deanslow).
The surname may also appear as a variation of Denslowe or Densli. These variations are usually found in documents from the 18th century, when surnames began to be standardized and spelling varied based on personal preference.
It is also possible that the surname is derived from a French place name, such as Leslau, in which case it would be spelled "Denslau" or "Denslowe."
Overall, the different spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Denslow reflect how the surname has changed over time as it has been adopted by different nationalities, cultures and linguistic groups.
Famous people with the name Denslow
- Bill Denslow: an American animator who worked on films such as Dumbo and The Sword in the Stone.
- Marjorie Denslow: a children's book author best known for writing the fictionalized version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
- Harry Denslow: an American magician known for inventing vanishing bird cage and the floating lady illusions.
- John Denslow: a professional golfer who won four Nationwide Tour events between 1998 and 2003.
- William Wallace Denslow: an American illustrator and caricaturist, best known for his illustrations of L. Frank Baum's Oz books.
- George Denslow: a Broadway actor and stage manager who produced the musical A Night in Venice.
- David Denslow: an American actor who has appeared on television shows such as ER, Law & Order, and Mad Men.
- Dan Denslow: an American artist whose works have been featured in major galleries such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
- Rebecca Denslow: an American designer who is most recognized for her collection of quilts, called “Dance of the Threads.”
- Billie Denslow: a British author of children’s novels, her best-known work being Matilda the Magic Cat.