Find out how popular the last name Béliew is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Béliew.

Béliew, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Béliew surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Béliew in America

Béliew is the 131366th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Béliew surname appeared 119 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Béliew.

The history of the last name Béliew

The surname Beliew is believed to have its origin in France, emerging during the medieval period. The name is thought to derive from the French words "beau" meaning "beautiful" and "lieu" meaning "place" or "location." This points to a possible meaning of "beautiful place," suggesting that early bearers of the name may have lived in or been associated with a particularly scenic area.

The areas that the surname comes from are likely in the northern parts of France, possibly around Normandy or Brittany. This region was known for its amalgamation of cultures and languages due to historical conquests and migrations. Old records from the medieval period exhibit similar spellings such as Belleuve and Belieu, indicating slight variations in local dialects and orthographic practices.

Historical references to the name Beliew can be found in medieval tax records and feudal documents. While not as prevalent as more common surnames, the name appears in manuscripts that list land holdings and property transactions. For instance, a Jean Belieu was recorded as a landowner in a 13th-century tax record in Normandy, demonstrating the locale's importance to early bearers.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name appears in a 12th-century document from the Abbey of Mont St. Michel. A certain Guillaume de Belleuve is mentioned, highlighting the name's presence among the French nobility and clergy.

Among prominent individuals, Charles Beliew (1645-1720) was a notable figure during the reign of Louis XIV. Serving as an advisor to the King, Charles' influence was significant in the court's political dynamics. Another historical figure, Antoinette Beliew (1783-1856), was a renowned artist celebrated for her impressionist landscapes, which were exhibited across Europe.

Migration to England and other parts of Europe during the Huguenot exodus in the 16th and 17th centuries spread the surname beyond France. One bearer of the name, Paul Beliew (1570-1625), fled religious persecution and settled in London, where he became a successful merchant.

Another notable individual, Henry Beliew (1802-1878), was instrumental in the industrial revolution, contributing to textile innovations in Manchester. His work transformed the industry and left a lasting legacy.

In the mid-19th century, the name crossed the Atlantic, with individuals like Marie Beliew (1823-1891) emigrating to the United States. She became a pioneering educator, founding schools in New Orleans and advocating for women’s education.

The surname Beliew, though rare, carries a rich history rooted in French culture and has evolved through centuries, marking its presence in various regions and professions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Béliew

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Béliew.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Béliew was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Béliew was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Béliew, please contact us.

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