Surname Devenish - Meaning and Origin
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Devenish: What does the surname Devenish mean?
The last name Devenish is derived from an English surname of Norman origin, from the Old French name “de Veynes or de Veniz”. This name is composed of two elements: ‘De’, an abbreviation of de, meaning ‘of’ or ‘from’, and ‘Veynes, Veniz’, which is a location name meaning “place of alder trees.”
The surname is found in both English and Germanic records, typically in the forms “de Veniz” and “de Vennes.” Its hereditary spelling has varied and some spellings, such as “Devanesh” and “Devanish,” reflect the fact that early French influence has frustrated attempts to accurately trace the name through time.
The Devenish surname is thought to have first appeared in England around the 1500s. It is believed to have been established as a result of families of Flemish origin settling in the country during the Middle Ages. In some cases, families bearing this surname would have ended up in English records as having changed their spelling or simply by using a Flemish interpretation of the name.
The more general meaning of the Devenish name is ‘person from the place of alders’, which implies that the original owners of this name were likely residents of a town, village, or estate with a abundance of alder trees. The surname has been found predominantly in Wiltshire in the south-west of England and in Norfolk in the east. It has also been found in Scotland, Ireland, America, and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisDevenish: Where does the name Devenish come from?
The last name Devenish is most commonly found in England and Ireland today. It is thought to have originated in the Midlands region of England and would have been among the many names brought to Ireland during the Norman Conquest, or during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th Century.
The name Devenish is derived from the Olde English words deovnish, meaning 'of the grove'. It is also possible that the name has its roots in the Olde Norse surname Dufnise, Dufnys or Dufnen, which all have similar meanings.
The surname is most frequently found in Yorkshire and Lancashire, as well as in London and the Midlands. It is less commonly found in other areas of England and Wales, but is still present in some numbers.
In Ireland, the name Devenish is most common in counties such as Mayo and Donegal, as well as around Dublin and Belfast. The largest concentrations of people with this surname are found in Northern Ireland, particularly in counties such as Antrim, Down and Londonderry.
It is believed that there are currently around 1,600 people with the surname Devenish around the world, with the majority located in England and Ireland. The name is still relatively rare, which can make it difficult to trace the origins of a given family.
Variations of the surname Devenish
The surname Devenish is an English surname likely of French origin. It is believed to have derived from the word Devinien, which means ‘divine’. It likely originated from Normandy, France, and was originally spelled Devinien or Devonien. Over time, the name has evolved and taken different spellings and variants such as Devenish, Devanish, Devines, Devenoix, Deowines and Devinesse.
The Devenish surname has several variants that can be traced throughout the United Kingdom. In Northern England, the name is spelled Devenish or Devanish. In Scotland, the name is found spelled as Devenoix or Deowines. In other parts of the United Kingdom, the name is spelled Devines or Devinesse. The name can also be found with various spellings in other countries of the English-speaking world such as Australia, Canada and the United States.
The surname Devenish has a long lineage that dates back to the 11th century. It has a strong connection to England, Scotland and France. It is used as a patronymic surname in many countries. It is believed that many families in the United Kingdom that have adopted various spellings and variants of the Devenish surname may be related by blood.
The Devenish surname is quite popular and is found throughout the English-speaking world. The variations and spellings of the name can indicate one’s family's origin and where they have come from. It is also a reminder of the long lineage and strong connection that our families have with the countries of England, Scotland and France.
Famous people with the name Devenish
- Ben Devenish: British presenter, best known for hosting the Capital Breakfast and hosting the TV show DanceDaanceDance for Sky1.
- Adelaide Devenish: British author and journalist, best known for her book “The Gilded Cage: a History of British Aristocrats”.
- David Devenish: British singer/songwriter and CEO of the London Jazz Jazz Festival.
- Sally Devenish: British entrepreneur and innovator, founder of a social enterprise working to reduce global inequality.
- Brenda Devenish: British actress, winner of the BAFTA award for best supporting actress in 1968.
- Brian Devenish: British painter, known for his neo-romantic landscapes and cityscapes.
- Robyn Devenish: British artist, winner of the Archibald Prize in 2003.
- Mark Devenish: British actor, best known for his performances in theatre, radio, and films.
- Colin Devenish: British author and historian, best known for his books on the military history of the British empire.
- Robert Devenish: British sculptor, known for his monumental public works.