Surname Pauw - Meaning and Origin
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Pauw: What does the surname Pauw mean?
The last name Pauw originates from the Dutch surname Pauw, which is also spelled as Pauwe. The surname Pauw has various possible origins. Firstly, it could be derived from Pauw, the Dutch word for peacock, and is used as an occupational surname meaning "peacock breeder." Alternatively, it could be derived from the Dutch male given name Paul, making Pauw a patronymic name. The suffixes ‘-we’ and ‘-en’ were added to surnames as a sign of medieval patronage or homage.
Pauw is a popular surname all over the world, but is mostly seen in the Netherlands, Belgium, and South Africa. In the Netherlands, it is particularly concentrated in Zeeland, where it is the 40th most common surname. Pauw is also found in the United States, where it was first recorded in 1880.
Those who bear the Pauw surname may be descended from David Pauw, who was a Huguenot refugee from the Netherlands who arrived in South Africa in the mid-17th century. In 1688 his son, Hendrik David Pauw, was the first burgher in the Paarl District. His grandchildren formed the first Pauw family network in South Africa.
Today, the Pauw surname is associated with a legacy of strong family bonds, entrepreneurship, and artistic endeavors. It is said that Beethoven had been named a Pauw professor in music composition by the Dutch government. The Pauw family remains an integral part of the legacy of Dutch culture and the rich history of European names.
Order DNA origin analysisPauw: Where does the name Pauw come from?
The last name Pauw is most common today among populations in the Netherlands and Belgium. It was originally derived from the Old Dutch word for peacock. The name often appears in Netherlands records from the 16th century. Historically, Pauws were scattered throughout the region, with the highest concentration of families in the coastal region of Zeeland.
Today, Pauw is still a fairly common last name in both the Netherlands and Belgium. Reports indicate that more than 5,500 people bear the Pauw name in the Netherlands alone. The most common places of residence for those persons with the name Pauw are the province of Zeeland, followed by Drenthe and Gelderland. It is also reported that the name Pauw is the 273rd most popular surname in the Netherlands, and the 1023rd most popular in Belgium.
Although it is generally accepted that the Pauw name arose from a Dutch-language origin, other sources also point to it being of French Huguenot origin. The Huguenots, being French Protestant refugees who primarily fled to the Netherlands during the 16th century, may have adopted the Pauw name in the area.
Though the Pauw last name is still quite widespread, there is no exact concentration or region as to where it is most common. It is found around the world, with families originating in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
Variations of the surname Pauw
Pauw is a Dutch surname originating from the Dutch word for “peacock.” Variations of the name include Pau, Paauw, Pahauw, Paue and Pauwels.
The origins of the name are disputed, but it is believed to have been an occupational surname derived from a person who held the title of a marshall, which was sometimes referred to as a Pauw in Dutch. The name may also have been derived from a Dutch word meaning “lord” or “lord of the manor”, which was applied to someone who owned a large estate.
In various documents, Pauw is written as Pau, Pauw, Paw and Pauwe. The double-u form, Pauw, is the most common because it accurately reflects the phonetic pronunciation of the name. It is also the most popular spelling within the Netherlands.
The Pauwels variant is mainly found in Flanders, specifically in Belgium, and is the equivalent of Pauw. Pau is most popular in the Southern Netherlands, while Paauw is predominant in Northern Netherlands.
Pauw is also an anglicised version of the name. The Dutch used the same character for the 'w' that was later used for the 'v' when Germanic languages where written in Latin. English speakers often opted for the same sound as the one used in Latin, while Dutch speakers continued to use the 'w' as it should be pronounced in the Dutch language.
There are many Germanic variants of the Pauw name such as Baw, Pau, Pauly, Pauen and Paulsen. There are also Spanish and French variations of the name such as Pao, Pau and Paye. Other spellings include Paauw, Paue, Pahauw, Paw and Pauwe.
Famous people with the name Pauw
- Simon Pauw:web manager in the banking industry.
- Michael Pauw: Dutch radio broadcaster and voice actor.
- Wolfgang Pauw: 19th century German opera composer.
- Jochem Pauw: Dutch entrepreneur and investor.
- Frederik Pauw: Dutch painter, graphic designer and engraver.
- Theo Pauw: Dutch professional cyclist in the 1940s and 50s.
- Philippe Pauw: French competitive figure skater in the 1970s.
- Nathan Pauw: Australian actor and comedian.
- Evert Pauw: Dutch footballer and coach in the 1960s and 70s.
- Willem Pauw: Dutch designer and independent filmmaker.