Surname Drews - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Ancestral Tale: The Drews DNA Journey and its Impact on Self-understanding
A personal exploration into heritage through iGENEA DNA testing unravels unexpected insights about the Drews ancestors, reshaping the narrative of identity and self-understanding.
D. Drews
read moreDrews: What does the surname Drews mean?
The last name Drews is of German origin. It first arose in Prussia and is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name "Drudo," originally a short form of various compound names containing a root element meaning "shout, roar, or voice" such as "drud-wald," meaning "heavy forest." In essence, the name is thought to be indicative of a powerful force or individual. Over time, the name has evolved to Drews.
The surname is mostly found in northern and eastern Germany,¹ and can also be found elsewhere, including elements of the former West Germany. When translated to English, the surname roughly means a person who is passionate, dynamic, and capable of empowering others.
Historically, Drews has been a surname of nobility. While generations have passed, the surname still holds a sense of power. In modern times, it is often linked to a successful career or profession, most likely due to its strong and unique sense of character.
The many variants of this surname have kept it alive throughout the centuries. Names like Druff, Drury, Drewil, Druehl, Drurye, and Drinski are still commonly in use. While there is no single meaning for the surname today, its origins remain rooted in power and authority.
Order DNA origin analysisDrews: Where does the name Drews come from?
The last name Drews is particularly common in Germany, with almost 7,000 people bearing that surname. Geographically, it is most popular in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westfalia. Drews is also fairly common in the Netherlands and Belgium, and in the United States, around 3,000 people bear the surname.
The origins of the name Drews are uncertain. It is likely that in Germany, the name is derived from the Old German personal name Dreo, meaning brave and determined. Additionally, Drews may also be a patronymic of the Dutch or Low German given name Drewes, which was derived from the Germanic elements ‘driu’, meaning strength and ‘wis’ meaning wise.
The Drews family was prominent in Germany, particularly in the Prussian Province of Brandenburg. There was a prominent mayor of the city of NeuNaberg, Philipp Drews, as well as numerous members of the royal court during the various Prussian monarchs. There is also a municipality in the district of Pinneberg, Germany called Drewes.
In the Netherlands, the Drews family name was associated with a 15th century Dutch mason, Joos Drewes who founded ‘The Brotherhood of Masonry’, a fraternal organization dedicated to the craftsmanship of brickwork.
Though it is not as common as it once was, the name Drews has left its mark throughout Europe and the United States. Whether it is through prominent figures, craftsmanship or municipalities, the legacy of the Drews family will be present throughout history.
Variations of the surname Drews
The surname Drews is derived from an old English first name meaning ‘dread’, ‘dreadful’, or ‘fearful’. It is typically found as a patronymic, that is, a name derived from the father’s given name, in the form of Drewes, Drews, Dreves, Druse, Druses, or Druse.
Families bearing these names do not always share the same origin. The German surname Dreves, for example, is based on an old Germanic personal name that means ‘valiant’ or ‘mighty’.
The Dutch variant of the surname is often found in the Netherlands and Belgium as Drevese, and the Scandinavian variant Druses is found in the Scandinavian countries. In England, the surname typically appears as Drews, Druse, or Druses.
In Scotland, the surname is found as Drus. In Ireland, it is most commonly spelled as Drew, Druse, or Druses. It is also sometimes seen in the form of Drewry, Drury, or Druery.
In the United States, the name is typically found in its original and most commonly seen form, of Drews, Druse, or Druses. The alternative spelling of Droes is encountered less frequently, however it is still a recognized variation.
In Australia, the name is typically encountered in its original form of Drews, Druse, and Druses, but may also appear as the variant spelling of Druyff.
The surname Drews is an ancient name found across Europe and is still in use in many countries today. As such, it has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Dreves, Drus, Drew, Drews, Drewes, Drewry, Drury, Druery, Druse, Druses, Droes, and Druyff.
Famous people with the name Drews
- Bobby Drews: German author and wildlife filmmaker
- David Drews: former professional American football player
- Alex Drews: former National Basketball Association player
- Ola Drews: Norwegian cross-country skier
- Paige Drews: American alpine ski racer
- Paul Drews: German soccer coach
- Catherine Drews: American competition swimmer
- Alex Drews: bagpipe player
- Alexis Drews: American media artist
- Joleen Drews: creator of the non-profit Don’t Be a Litterbug
- Kaileen Drews: Irish film editor and actress
- Ned Drews: English actor
- Stephanie Drews: German sleight-of-hand artist
- Matthew Drews: Canadian interdisciplinary artist
- Colin Drews: English football coach