Surname Dhouw - Meaning and Origin

Dhouw: What does the surname Dhouw mean?

The last name Dhouw is of Dutch origin and is thought to have derived from the old Dutch word ‘douw’, which means ‘valley’. An alternate theory is that it is taken from the Dutch word ‘doel’, which is the dialect term for ‘goal’, or destination. It is possible that it was given this name by someone in the family who worked hard to reach a certain destination in life, or by those who could envision a future filled with prosperity.

Today, the Dhouw surname is found mainly in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, although there are some families with it in other areas of Europe, such as Norway. Variations of the name include Dhouwer, Dourw, D’Hour, D’Ouw, and D’Ouwer.

The Dhouw family name likely denotes a hardworking and goal-oriented family, one that perseveres and works hard to reach its destination. It symbolises endurance, ambition, and a dedication to achieving the goal one has set for themselves.

Dhouw: Where does the name Dhouw come from?

The last name Dhouw is common in the Netherlands, and primarily in the province of Overijssel. There is a small cluster in the district of Oldambt, where up to 0.2% of the population carries the surname Dhouw. Beyond the Netherlands, the name is also found on a smaller scale in Belgium, Germany, France, and England.

The etymology of the name is uncertain, but linguists believe it likely has Germanic roots, with potential connections to the modern Dutch word "Dhouw". While the original meaning of the name is unknown, it is likely related to the Dutch word "douw", which has several meanings but primarily references the colors black, gray, and brown.

In recent centuries, the last name Dhouw has spread from its original center in Northern Europe, with people bearing the name now living all across the globe. As with many old names, though, it is still most commonly found in its land of origin.

Variations of the surname Dhouw

The surname Dhouw (also known as Douw or Dehouw) is of Dutch origin.

The spelling of Dhouw dates to Medieval times when people had limited literacy and spelling was adjusted to reflect pronunciations. In its simplest form, some sources suggest it could originally have been Duw, more Turm- Duw or Duijn.

Dhouw is the more modern spelling of the name, while Douw and Dehouw are older, more traditional spellings. Additionally, the spelling variant Dhoeuw, is also beginning to become common in some areas. These variants have been found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France.

Other common variant spellings of Dhoeuw include Dhoew, Dhoow, Douwe, Dhoe, Dhueu, Dhoeue, Dehou, Tehouw, Theuw and Deuw.

Additionally, names of similar origin including Douie, Duwe, Due, du Bois, Dewei, De Wees, Dewi, Dubbels, Deweij, DeWijngaert, Dewitte, Daalmeijer, De Hauwer, and Dooper could all be related to Dhouw.

The spellings have all derived and evolved from similar beginnings, and so the name may still be used and recognised, even if it is written differently in different countries.

Famous people with the name Dhouw

• Yolanda Dhouw Maas: South African-Dutch TV presenter, actress, wife of Dutch footballer.
• Bregje Dhouw: Dutch TV presenter and journalist.
• Mirian Dhouw: Jamaican media personality, former news anchor for Voice of Jamaica 90.3FM.
• Delon Dhouw: Dutch public servant of Suriname descent, specialty in the fields of public administration, social sciences and international relations.
• Theon van Dhouw: Dutch entrepreneur and founder of the fashion label Theon.
• Marco Dhouw: Dutch musician, composer and record producer specializing in hip hop, jazz and electronica.
• Tom van Dhouw: Dutch painter and sculptor of Surinamese descent.
• Xavier Dhouw: Dutch DJ, producer and songwriter from Amsterdam.
• Adi Dhouw: Surinamese rapper and singer, member of the Remy Collective.
• Sonia Dhouw: Dutch politician and public servant, the former President of the Surinamese Senate.

Other surnames

Dhou