Surname Tevs - Meaning and Origin
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Tevs: What does the surname Tevs mean?
The surname Tevs is a Germanic patronymic surname, derived from the given name Teva. This personal name is of uncertain origin, but could be a form of Theo or Theo-bald. Alternatively, it has been suggested that the name may be derived from the Old Saxon theod, meaning “people” or “race” and bald, meaning “bold” or “courageous”.
The surname Tevs is a relatively rare one, being found mainly in the Netherlands and Germany in modern times. It is likely that those who bear this name are descendants of a common Germanic ancestor, assuming the name was not adopted later in history because of its attractive sound or a desire to update a surname.
In medieval Germany, this surname would have been associated with power and authority due to its connection to a strong male figure or leader. It is likely that the bearer of the surname was of aristocratic or even royal descent, and thus was well respected within the community.
Today, those who bear the surname Tevs may not necessarily have any connection to the original Teva, though they may well bear the same characteristics of determination, courage and strength. For many, the name can be seen as a link to the past and a source of proud ancestry, and for some it is a reminder of home and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisTevs: Where does the name Tevs come from?
The last name Tevs is most commonly found in the country of Lithuania. The family's thought to have originated in the provinces of Panevezys and Ukmerge in the 16th century. As of the early 21st century, approximately 5,000 people held the Tevs surname, most of whom were located in the capital city of Vilnius and the surrounding towns and villages.
The Tevs surname is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Tev. It originated in the rural Lithuanian countryside, but the family eventually spread across both Lithuania and elements of East Prussia, as well as parts of Latvia and Estonia. Subsequently, it is now found in various countries throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In recent decades, large numbers of Tevs have migrated to other countries looking for a better life. Immigration records show thousands of people with the Tevs name arriving in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in search of employment and educational opportunities. The countries most migrants originate from are Ukraine, Russia, and Lithuania.
Today, many Tevs can be found living in urban centers, in the United States particularly, where the business and professional opportunities are most often found.
Variations of the surname Tevs
The surname Tevs has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. One variant is Teves, as this spelling could have been used in areas with a Romance language as the local language. Additionally, Teuwes is another variant, which is derived the same way as Teves. The spelling Tevz is another variant. This spelling originated in Russia and Belarus, where the letter "z" is typically used to represent the sound of the letter "s" There are also a few variants that include an additional letter, such as Tevsov, Tevssen, and Tevoord. These spellings come from Germany, where the letter "v" is often changed to a "u" or "o".
Surnames of the same origin as the Tevs have also been found in Germany, Poland and Hungary. In Poland,ers, it has evolved to Tevles, Tevle, Tevlus, Tevlos, Tevslos, Tevlles, and Tevsls. In Hungary, it has evolved to Tevsz, Tevszky, and Tevssy. There are also quite a few more, such as Tevis, Tevo, Tevie, Tevely, and Tevesy.
Overall, the surname Tevs has several various spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variations come from both the Romance and Germanic languages, as well as other countries where the surname might have originated.
Famous people with the name Tevs
- Alisa Tevs, Estonian actress, dancer and choreographer
- Andris Tevs, Latvian basketball player
- Andris Tevs, Latvian Olympic rower
- Arturs Tevs, Latvian conductor and music director
- Ilze Tevs, Latvian author
- Kārlis Tevs, Latvian physicist
- Krišs Tevs, Latvian football player
- Māris Tevs, Latvian actor
- Nellija Tevs, Latvian actress
- Normunds Tevs, Latvian basketball player
- Uldis Tevs, Latvian Olympic swimmer
- Valērijs Tevs, Latvian ice hockey player
- Veronika Tevs, Estonian fashion designer
- Viesturs Tevs, Latvian ice hockey player
- Viktorija Tevs, Latvian tennis player
- Vilis Tevs, Latvian film director, screenwriter and actor