Bevan
A Welsh surname meaning “son of Evan,” Evan being the Welsh form of John.
The #8,045 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 75,048 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Bevan is usually explained as a Welsh patronymic from ap Evan or ab Evan, meaning “son of Evan.” Evan is the Welsh form of John, ultimately from Hebrew Yochanan, “God is gracious.” Some 19th-century writers also suggested alternative continental or local-name explanations, but the Welsh patronymic is the standard and best-supported origin.
History
The name is especially associated with Wales and Welsh-speaking families, and related forms such as Beavan, Beaven, Bevin, and Bevans appear in historical records. Older surname books repeatedly treat it as one of the many Welsh “ap/ab” surnames that fused with the following personal name over time. It has remained in use in Britain and in countries with Welsh migration, including the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
This surname belongs to the same broad family of Welsh surnames as Bowen and Price, which also grew out of the old ap/ab naming system.
From the historical record
“-Bapt ab-EvBO (Welsh), i.e. 'the son of Evan'; v. Bevan and Bevans. Similarly Evan and Evans are found as Heaven and Heavens, q.v. 1676. Maltbew Dtnia and Hannah BeavEn : Uairiajte Lie. (Facaltr Office),”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances