Last Name Dewald

The surname Dewald is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the medieval Germanic given name "Theodwald," which was composed of the elements "theud-" meaning "people" or "tribe" and "-wald" meaning "rule." Over time, the name evolved into its modern form as a hereditary surname. In some cases, it may have also been a nickname for someone who was perceived to be powerful or ruling, similar to the English surname Thompson, which originates from "Thorstan," Old Norse for "ruler of the people."

Learn more about the origin of the last name Dewald

The meaning and origin of the last name Dewald

The surname Dewald is of Dutch and German origin, derived from the medieval Germanic personal name "Dietwald" or "Theodwald". The name consists of two elements: "diet-", meaning "people" or "family", and "-wald", a common Germanic patronymic suffix denoting "rule" or "power". Over time, the spelling variations have included Dewaldt, De Walde, DeWalt, and others. The surname has been carried by notable figures throughout history such as Jan van de Velde (1593-1641), a Flemish painter, and General Friedrich Wilhelm von Dewald, a Prussian military officer during the Seven Years' War.

Geographical distribution of the last name Dewald

The last name Dewald is predominantly found in South Africa, particularly among the Afrikaans-speaking population, due to its historical origin from Dutch settlers. The name is a patronymic derived from the given name "Diederik" or "Diedrich," which means "rich in power" in Germanic languages. Outside of South Africa, the Dewald surname is also found among the Afrikaner diaspora in countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Australia, where Afrikaners have migrated over time. In Europe, some instances of the name can be traced back to Belgium and the Netherlands, indicating its roots in these regions before the migration to Africa.

Variants and spellings of the last name Dewald

The surname Dewald has several variations and spellings across different regions and time periods. Some common versions include De Wald, De Valde, De Waal, De Wal, and De Weerd. These variations can stem from linguistic changes over time or regional dialects. Additionally, some families may have changed the spelling of their name intentionally or unintentionally, leading to further variations. In certain cases, the surname may also be found as De Vald or Van de Walde, which are translations of De Wald into other languages. It's important to note that these variations can make genealogical research challenging, as multiple lines with different spellings might appear related due to the similarity in names.

Famous people with the last name Dewald

Notable individuals with the surname Dewald include:

1. Jacobus Coetzee Dewald (1864-1932), a South African politician who served as Premier of the Cape Colony and later the Union of South Africa. He was also the first Minister of Finance in the Union of South Africa.

2. Pieter Willem Dewald (1745-1806), known as Pieter Willem Pieterse, was a Dutch explorer who joined the Batavian Republic's army during the Dutch Revolutionary Wars. He later became a commander in the Orange Free State and fought against British rule in South Africa.

3. John Dewald (1947-2016), a Canadian artist known for his abstract expressionist paintings and mixed media works. His art has been exhibited worldwide and is held in numerous public and private collections.

4. Peter J. Dewald, an American computer scientist known for his work on information retrieval, text mining, and natural language processing. He is a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was inducted into the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Fellow in 2016.

5. Michael Dewald (born 1968), a German actor who has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including roles in "Taxi" (German version), "Forsthaus Falkenau," and "SOKO Leipzig." He is also a voice actor for various video games.

Genealogical research on the last name Dewald

The Dewald surname is believed to have originated from Germany, specifically the regions of Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. It is derived from the Old High German "Dietwald," meaning "people's ruler" or "ruler of the people." The name was brought to various parts of Europe during medieval times due to the numerous crusades and migrations, with significant populations settling in present-day Netherlands and Scandinavia.

In South Africa, the Dewald lineage can be traced back to the 17th century when Dutch colonists arrived. One notable member, Jacobus Dewald, was a Voortrekker leader who played a significant role in the Great Trek of 1836, leading a group of settlers to establish the Orange Free State. The descendants of this lineage continue to be prominent figures in South African politics and society.

In North America, Dewald immigrants arrived primarily during the 19th century, with the majority originating from Germany and the Netherlands. Many settled in the Midwest United States and Canada, where they made significant contributions to agriculture, business, and local communities.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Dewald"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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