Dewey Family History

Dewey Surname Meaning

Welsh: from the personal name Dewi Welsh form of David. In some cases the name may arise from the dedication of parish churches in places called Llanddewi (Saint David's) of which there are several.

Anglicized form of a French Huguenot surname of uncertain form and origin. Traditionally it is recorded as Douai a habitational name from a city so named in northern France but it could also be from Old Norman French du we(z) ‘of the ford’ from a variant of standard French gué ‘ford’.

In some cases also an Americanized form of French Duguay. In some cases possibly also an Americanized form of Dutch De Weij (archaic De Wey): cognate of Van der Weij (see Wey).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Similar surnames: Newey, Dey, Mewes, Denny, Downey, Demey, Ewy, Denby, Dede, Deter

138K	Birth, Marriage, and Deaths
24K	Military Records
9K	Immigration Records
130K	Census and Voter Lists
546K	Member Trees

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Where is the Dewey family from?

You can see how Dewey families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Dewey family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Dewey families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 281 Dewey families living in Hampshire. This was about 18% of all the recorded Dewey's in United Kingdom. Hampshire had the highest population of Dewey families in 1891.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Dewey surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

View Census Data for Dewey

What did your Dewey ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General labourer and Unpaid domestic duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Dewey. 11% of Dewey men worked as a General labourer and 71% of Dewey women worked as an Unpaid domestic duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Dewey were Dairy farmer and Domestic duties.

View Census Data for Dewey

Data not to scale

We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

General labourer

11%

Incapacitated

Motor driver

Dairy farmer

Unpaid domestic duties

71%

Unpaid domestic

Housewife

Domestic duties

What Dewey family records will you find?

Census Record

There are 130K census records available for the last name Dewey. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Dewey census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Dewey

Passenger List

There are 9K immigration records available for the last name Dewey. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Dewey immigration records

Military Records

There are 24K military records available for the last name Dewey. For the veterans among your Dewey ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Dewey military records

You've only scratched the surface of Dewey family history

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What is the average Dewey lifespan?

Between 1941 and 2004, in the United States, Dewey life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1950, and highest in 1997. The average life expectancy for Dewey in 1941 was 66, and 74 in 2004.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Dewey family tree

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Dewey Surname Meaning

In some cases also an Americanized form of French Duguay. In some cases possibly also an Americanized form of Dutch De Weij (archaic De Wey): cognate of Van der Weij (see Wey).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Where is the Dewey family from?

What did your Dewey ancestors do for a living?

Data not to scale

We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

General labourer

11%

Incapacitated

Motor driver

Dairy farmer

Unpaid domestic duties

71%

Unpaid domestic

Housewife

Domestic duties

What Dewey family records will you find?

What is the average Dewey lifespan?

Between 1941 and 2004, in the United States, Dewey life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1950, and highest in 1997. The average life expectancy for Dewey in 1941 was 66, and 74 in 2004.

Dewey Family History

Dewey Surname Meaning

848,000 record(s) for Dewey

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Where is the Dewey family from?

What did your Dewey ancestors do for a living?

Top Male Occupations In 1939

Top Female Occupations In 1939

What Dewey family records will you find?

Census Record

Passenger List

Military Records

You've only scratched the surface of Dewey family history

What is the average Dewey lifespan?

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Dewey family tree

Search for another surname

Dewey Surname Meaning

848,000 record(s) for Dewey

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Where is the Dewey family from?

What did your Dewey ancestors do for a living?

Top Male Occupations In 1939

Top Female Occupations In 1939

What Dewey family records will you find?

Census Record

Passenger List

Military Records

You've only scratched the surface of Dewey family history

What is the average Dewey lifespan?

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Dewey family tree

Search for another surname