NameCensus.

UK surname

Dewet

A surname denoting someone who lived near a wet or marshy area.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Dewet surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 162, ranked #22,512, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wokingham, Hambleton and Bracknell Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dewet is 167 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16100.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

162

2016, ranked #22,512

Peak year

2010

167 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dewet had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016, ranked #22,512.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 16 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Dewet surname distribution map

The map shows where the Dewet surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Dewet surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dewet over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 9 #31,675
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 16 #32,260
1911 historical 10 #32,609
1997 modern 53 #32,329
1998 modern 59 #32,027
1999 modern 69 #31,223
2000 modern 79 #30,249
2001 modern 64 #31,602
2002 modern 81 #30,294
2003 modern 102 #27,383
2004 modern 112 #26,159
2005 modern 125 #24,398
2006 modern 133 #23,711
2007 modern 143 #22,924
2008 modern 146 #22,822
2009 modern 150 #22,937
2010 modern 167 #21,835
2011 modern 164 #21,900
2012 modern 167 #21,598
2013 modern 156 #23,004
2014 modern 157 #23,101
2015 modern 156 #23,106
2016 modern 162 #22,512

Geography

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Where Dewets are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wokingham, Hambleton, Bracknell Forest, Hart and Watford. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wokingham 020 Wokingham
2 Hambleton 008 Hambleton
3 Bracknell Forest 012 Bracknell Forest
4 Hart 008 Hart
5 Watford 008 Watford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dewet

These lists show first names that appear often with the Dewet surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dewet

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dewet, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Dewet surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Dewet household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Dewet is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dewet is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dewet falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dewet is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Dewet, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dewet

The surname DEWET has its origins in the Netherlands, dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Dutch phrase "de wet", which translates to "the law" or "the statute". This suggests that the name may have been originally associated with individuals involved in legal professions or positions of authority related to upholding laws and regulations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the DEWET surname can be found in the Dutch province of Friesland, where it appeared in historical records from the late 1500s. It is believed that the name may have originated in this region before spreading to other parts of the Netherlands and eventually beyond.

In the 17th century, the DEWET surname gained prominence in the Dutch Cape Colony, present-day South Africa. Records indicate that several individuals bearing this name were among the early Dutch settlers in the region. One notable example is Jan de Wet, a farmer and landowner born in 1663, who played a significant role in the development of the Cape Colony's agricultural sector.

As the DEWET name spread across Europe and the colonial territories, it underwent various spelling variations, such as De Wet, DeWet, and Dewet. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and linguistic adaptations.

In the 18th century, the DEWET surname appeared in historical records in the Netherlands and South Africa. One prominent figure was Jacobus de Wet, a Dutch military officer born in 1736, who served in the Dutch East India Company and played a role in the colonization of the Cape Colony.

The 19th century saw the DEWET name gain further recognition, particularly in South Africa. Christiaan de Wet, born in 1854, was a renowned Boer military leader and statesman who played a pivotal role in the Second Boer War against British forces. His military exploits and leadership during the conflict earned him widespread admiration and a place in South African history.

Another notable figure from this period was Johannes de Wet, a Dutch-born South African politician and lawyer born in 1863. He served as the Attorney-General of the Orange Free State and played a significant role in the negotiations leading to the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910.

In the 20th century, the DEWET surname continued to be associated with notable individuals, such as Jacobus de Wet, a South African politician and lawyer born in 1912, who served as a Member of Parliament and played a prominent role in the country's legal and political spheres.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dewet families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dewet surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 1 Dewets recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fulham London in Middlesex leads with 1 Dewets recorded in 1881 and an index of 714.29x.

Place Total Index
Fulham London 1 714.29x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dewet surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Betty 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Dewet households.

Occupation Count
Hospital Nurse 1

FAQ

Dewet surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dewet surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Dewet surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dewet surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016. That gives Dewet a modern rank of #22,512.

What does the Dewet surname mean?

A surname denoting someone who lived near a wet or marshy area.

What does the Dewet map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dewet bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.