Surname Trethaway - Meaning and Origin
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Trethaway: What does the surname Trethaway mean?
The last name Trethaway is of Cornish origin and is an old family name which can be traced back to the 10th century AD. It is derived from the Cornish word for town or settlement - “tre” and “thaw” which means clearing in wood or an enclosure for cattle. The Trethaway family would have been known as the people of the settlement in the clearing.
The Trethaway surname has two possible spellings – either “Trethaway” or “Trethow”, although the spelling of the name changed over the centuries. The Trethaway family has been connected to Cornwall for centuries and the name is still found in some Cornish towns today.
The Trethaways lived in small farming communities and were known for their hard work and strong work ethic. They were also known as being very family-oriented and had close ties to their neighbours, regardless of class.
The Trethaways carried a strong sense of identity and pride in their roots and their heritage. They were a proud and hardworking family, and their tradition continues to this day. The Trethaways have also spread around the world and can be found in many different countries, preserving the memory of their beloved ancestors through their ancestral surname.
Order DNA origin analysisTrethaway: Where does the name Trethaway come from?
The last name Trethaway is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. The name originated in the late 18th century in Cornwall, England, and is likely associated with the Cornish town of Trethawey, which has since merged into the larger unitary authority of Cornwall Council.
The name is among the top 200 surnames in England, and is especially popular in the Devon and Cornwall areas. It's also seen in some parts of Scotland, particularly the Tayside region, as well as in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
In the United States, the last name Trethaway is notably found in Pennsylvania and in Arkansas and Texas. Other U.S. states where the name is present include Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, New Jersey and North Carolina.
Today, the name is more visible in the UK than anywhere else. Over time, it has been absorbed or replaced by other surnames in many other areas where it was once prevalent. Despite this, the name still holds a place of prestige and has a proud history behind it.
Variations of the surname Trethaway
The surname Trethaway has a variety of different spellings and variants. Some of these variants include Tredaway, Tretthaway, Thretheway, and Trethewey. All of these spellings come from the same Saxon roots, deriving from the phrase ‘three rivers’.
The first record of this surname was found in Devon in 1220, where two people by the name of Adam and Willaim Trentheway were recorded in the Carnarvon Lay Subsidy Rolls. This surname has spread all around the world over the centuries, and some of its other variations which have been used over the years include Tredway, Tredaew, Trethway, Tretawey, and Tredewey.
The variations of this surname have been most popularly adopted in modern times in North America, where they have transformed into Trethaway, Tredaway, Tratway, and Thretheway. These were mainly adopted by descendants of English people who moved to the United States and Canada during the early stages of British colonialism.
The surname Trethaway has also been adopted in other countries such as India and Pakistan in the form of Tretheway, Tretawey, and Trethewey. This surname was usually adopted by immigrants or expats from England and other Anglophone countries.
In conclusion, the surname Trethaway has multiple spellings and variants which are derived from the same Saxon root. Many variations of this surname can be found around the world, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, India, and Pakistan.
Famous people with the name Trethaway
- Alex Trethaway: American actor, best known for his lead role in the Netflix series, Outer Banks.
- Gwenna Trethaway: American singer-songwriter and researcher.
- William Trethaway: Former commander of the British Royal Navy.
- Vincent Trethaway: American actor and film producer.
- Elizabeth Trethaway: British stage actress.
- Cheryl Trethaway: Canadian author, known for her novels and non-fiction.
- Amy Trethaway: American singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee.
- Steve Trethaway: Canadian journalist and political commentator.
- Edward Trethaway: British sculptor and painter.
- Sally Trethaway: American scientist and professor at Princeton University.