Surname Chewning - Meaning and Origin
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Chewning: What does the surname Chewning mean?
The last name Chewning is believed to date back to the 1400s in England. It is derived from the Old English term "Cēaðing" which means dweller in the narrow place, indicating a family was most likely settlers of an area near or including an area with restricted spacing such as a ravine, mountain pass, or exit pathway.
The name likely originated in either Somerset or Wiltshire, two ancient counties located in the southwestern region of England. The clan is believed to be descended from George Caedine, the cousin of Richard I and the Baron of Gilsland.
Today, there are numerous variations of the Chewning family name, with surnames such as Caeding, Chedin, Cheddington, Cheating, and Cheethin in use in various locales.
Overall, the surname Chewning is a testament to the families resilience and resourcefulness as pioneers, living self-sustaining lifestyles by utilizing the land around them to its fullest potential. The name reflects a proud heritage and roots deeply entrenched in English history.
Order DNA origin analysisChewning: Where does the name Chewning come from?
The last name Chewning is most common in the United States, with nearly 13,000 people bearing the surname. The surname is somewhat rare globally, with only a few hundred people carrying the name outside of the US.
Chewning first emerged as an American name in the 1600s, with the first recorded use belonging to William Chewning, who was born in Virginia in 1640. Chewning is a patronymic name, deriving from a personal name, or surname, of the father rather than the mother. It may have originally been derived from Chaucer or even from an Old English personal name such as Cwenwine, combining the Old English cwen meaning woman, as well as wine, meaning friend.
The Chewning surname is most associated with the South. Over the centuries, many of the families with the name Chewning have made their homes in southern states, such as Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
Today, you can find the last name Chewning scattered across the United States. It is especially prominent in the South, with more than 20 percent of all recorded Chewnings living in one of the Carolinas. However, it is also present around the country, in places such as California, Florida, and New England. Wherever it is found, the name Chewning carries with it a rich history and continues to be an important part of the American social fabric.
Variations of the surname Chewning
The variants, spellings and surnames for the surname Chewning include:
1. Chawning
2. Chawney
3. Cowning
4. Chewney
5. Chewning
6. Chewning
7. Chewaning
8. Chiong
9. Cheeney
10. Cheenay
11. Chening
12. Cauning
13. Cawning
14. Chaenig
15. Chessing
16. Cheasing
17. Choning
18. Cahonning
19. Cawenig
20. Cowning
Chewning is a common surname in many parts of the world, namely the United Kingdom and Australia. It is derived from the Old English suffix -ing, which was used to form a patronymic surname, most likely that of a son of a man with the given name Chewe or Chew.
As with many patronymic surnames, the surname has many variants and spellings, which can make it difficult to trace its history. Variants of the name such as Chewney, Chessing and Chawning are found in both England and Australia, whereas other spellings such as Chiong and Chening are more commonly associated with the United Kingdom. Sometimes the name is also spelt with a double "n" as in Chewnning, Cawenig and Cahonning.
In early records of the surname, Chewning is often found spelled as Cowning, as this spelling was more commonly used in the past; this alternate spelling is still in use today.
The surnames Chewney, Cheenay and Chaenig, however, are more closely associated with the United States, and are thought to have been taken up by immigrants from England in the early to mid nineteenth century.
In summary, the many variants and spellings of the surname Chewning are reflective of its diverse geographical history and its many years of being passed down through generations of families—providing us with an interesting insight into the past.
Famous people with the name Chewning
- Charles Chewning: English professor, entrepreneur and founder of the Charles Chewning Scholarship.
- John Chewning:Notable American progenitor and nephew of Dr. Charles Chewning.
- Evelyn Chewning: Current Vice Commodore of the Suburban Yacht Club in Virginia Beach, VA.
- Jacob Chewning: Founding Father of Ohio's 2nd District 28th Congressional District.
- Harry Chewning: WWII veteran and veteran of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Infantry Regiment.
- Charles E. Chewning: Secretary of the Navy under President Grover Cleveland.
- Sarah Chewning: First female reporter in Minneapolis, MN.
- Matthew Chewning: Professional basketball player drafted in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft.
- Adam Chewning: Music producer and former lead guitarist for the band Anodyne.
- Colin Chewning: British television writer and comedian.