Lewis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales-Alt
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Lewis

What does the name Lewis mean?

The roots of the Celtic name of Lewis lie amid the rugged landscape of Wales. This old, proud name is from the personal name Lewis, an Anglicized form of the Welsh name Llewellyn. This name is often explained as meaning "lion-like," but is in fact probably derived from the Welsh word "llyw," which means "leader." Alternatively, the name Lewis is also an Anglo-French form of the Old Frankish name Hludwig, which means "loud battle."

Early Origins of the Lewis family

The surname Lewis was first found in Glamorganshire (Welsh: Sir Forgannwg), a region of South Wales, anciently part of the Welsh kingdom of Glywysing, where the family held a seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Lewis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lewis research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1890 is included under the topic Early Lewis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lewis Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lewis, Lewiss, Lewess, Lews, Llewys, Llewis, Lewwis, Llewess and many more.

Early Notables of the Lewis family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

Lewis of Glamorgan...
Also of note was Francis Lewis of New York, signer of the American Declaration of Independence...

Lewis World Ranking

In the United States, the name Lewis is the 23^rd most popular surname with an estimated 562,062 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Lewis is ranked the 61^st most popular surname with an estimated 35,038 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Lewis is the 899^th popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Lewis as 64^th with 412 people. 4 Australia ranks Lewis as 47^th with 40,743 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Lewis as 70^th with 4,848 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Lewis as 22^nd with 116,009 people. 7 South Africa ranks Lewis as 337^th with 20,102 people. 8

Migration of the Lewis family to Ireland

Some of the Lewis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lewis migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lewis Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Roger Lewis, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 9
Thomas Lewis, who landed in New Hampshire in 1630 9
William Lewis, who landed in New England in 1630 9
George Lewis, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1630 9
Mrs. Felix Lewis, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon" 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lewis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Francis Lewis, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 9
Xto Lewis, who landed in Virginia in 1706 9
Ellis Lewis, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1708 9
Ellis Lewis, who settled in Kennett, Pennsylvania in 1708
Jone Lewis, who arrived in Virginia in 1719 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lewis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ruhard Lewis, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1802 9
Susan Lewis, aged 36, who landed in Delaware in 1803 9
Andw Lewis, aged 20, who landed in Delaware in 1803 9
Fanny Lewis, aged 70, who landed in Delaware in 1803 9
Fanny, Lewis Jr., aged 15, who landed in Delaware in 1803 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lewis Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

William J Lewis, who arrived in Arkansas in 1901 9
Harold S Lewis, who landed in Colorado in 1903 9
Nathaniel Lewis, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1905 9
Leonard Gaetz Lewis, who arrived in Alabama in 1913 9

Lewis migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lewis Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

David Lewis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
John Lewis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Thomas Lewis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Martha Lewis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Lewis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lewis Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Isaac Lewis, who arrived in Canada in 1828
Eleazar Lewis, who arrived in Canada in 1829
Elizabeth Lewis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1832
Joseph Lewis, aged 27, a chordwinder, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Alchymist" from Falmouth, Cornwall, England
John Lewis, aged 25, a currier, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Hibernia" from Kinsale, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lewis migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lewis Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. John Lewis, (Sinderbury), (b. 1771), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Miss Elizabeth Lewis, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Lewis Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Lewis, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. William Lewis, British convict who was convicted in Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Margaret Lewis, British Convict who was convicted in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. John Lewis, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
William Lewis, English convict from Shropshire, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lewis migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Lewis Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Francis Charles Lewis, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
J Lewis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Oriental
John Henry Lewis, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Benjamin Lewis, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
David Lewis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Oriental
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lewis migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Lewis Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Richard Lewis, who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, he died in Bermuda 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Lewis (post 1700) +

John Llewellyn Lewis (1880-1969), American Labour leader and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Jerry Lewis (1926-2017), born Joseph or Jerome Levitch, an American actor, comedian, singer, film producer, film director, screenwriter, and humanitarian, famous for his partnership with Dean Martin and later his live Labor Day weekend broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for 44 years, known as The King of Comedy
Sir William Arthur Lewis (1915-1991), Saint Lucian economist, winner of the 1979 Nobel Prize in Economics becoming the first Black person to win a Nobel Prize in a category other than peace
John Robert Lewis (1940-2020), American civil rights leader and politician, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-2022), American famous musician from Louisiana, one of the ten charter members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, remembered for "Great Balls of Fire", "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On", "High School Confidential" and many more
Paul Lewis (1932-2025), American NASCAR Grand National Series race car driver whose career spanned from 1960 to 1968
Dr. Gordon Lewis (1916-1965), American dentist who died in the 1965 Douglas DC-3 crash with Marion Probert
Patsy Lewis (1947-2024), American soul singer and backing vocalist from the 1960s
Darren Lewis (1968-2024), nicknamed "Tank", American former professional football player
Adam Lewis (1979-2024), American musician
... (Another 92 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Lewis family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. James Charles Lewis (1959-1979), New Zealander Fight Steward, from Auckland, New Zealand working aboard the Air New Zealand sightseeing Flight 901 when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 19

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Charles Lewis (d. 1914), British Chief 3rd Class Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
Mr. John Lewis, British Assistant Cook from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Henry Lewis (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20

Grover Shoe factory

Mr. Barnabas Lewis, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; he died 21
Mr. Warren Lewis, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; he survived after being blown through a window 21

Hillsborough disaster

Carl David Lewis (1970-1989), English football supporter who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 22

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Leslie Raymond Lewis (1917-1941), Australian Acting Leading Seaman from Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23
Mr. Desmond Henry Lewis (1915-1941), Australian Bandsman from Milsons Point, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23
Mr. Ambrose Henry Lewis (1901-1941), Australian Stoker Petty Officer from Moore Park, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23

HMS Cornwall

Joseph Lewis (d. 1942), British Supply Chief Petty Officer aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 24

HMS Hood

Mr. Thomas Lewis (b. 1915), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Seaham Harbour, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
Mr. Michael E Lewis (b. 1906), English Stoker Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Fulham, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
Mr. Edward P S Lewis (b. 1911), Scottish Lieutenant serving for the Royal Navy from Scotland, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
Mr. Alfred G Lewis (b. 1915), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Southampton, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Ronald John Lewis, British Canteen Assistant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26

HMS Repulse

Mr. Edward G Lewis, British Yeoman of Signals, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
Mr. Edward A Lewis, British Stoker Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27

HMS Royal Oak

Donald James Lewis (1922-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
Clifford Ernest Lewis (1920-1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28

Mount Mulligan Mine

Oliver Lewis, (J. Lawson), Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. Joseph Lewis (b. 1853), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 29
Mr. William Lewis (b. 1840), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 29
Mr. Joseph Lewis (b. 1862), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 29
Mr. John Lewis (b. 1847), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 29
Mr. William Lewis (b. 1852), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 29
... (Another 3 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Joseph Lewis, English Trimmer from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 30
Mr. F. Lewis, English Fireman from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 30
Mr. Fred Lewis, English Second Waiter from Bolton, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 30
Mr. John Idwal Lewis, English Senior Third Officer from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 30
Mr. Isaac John Lewis, American 2nd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 31
... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

RMS Titanic

Mr. Arthur Ernest Lewis, aged 27, English Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 15 32

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Charles Gordon Lewis (b. 1892), Welsh coal miner from Pengam, Rhymney Valley, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 33
Mr. Daniel Lewis (b. 1862), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 33
Mr. David John Lewis (b. 1889), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 33
Mr. Edward Morgan Lewis (b. 1862), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 33
Mr. Edward Richard Lewis (b. 1863), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 33
... (Another 9 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

SS Alcoa Puritan

J.R. Lewis, American Boatswain from New Orleans, Louisiana, who was working aboard the SS Alcoa Puritan (1942) traveling from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Mobile, Alabama when it was torpedoed by U-boat U-507; he survived the sinking 34

USS Arizona

Mr. William E. Lewis, American Lieutenant Junior Grade (Medical Corps) working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 35
Mr. Wayne Alman Lewis, American Carpenter's Mate Third Class from South Carolina, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 35

USS Indianapolis

James Robert Lewis, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 36
John Robert Lewis, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 36

Vimy Ridge

Henry Francis Lewis (1884-1917), Canadian financial broker, Lieutenant in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge April 1917

Sources +

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