Surname Sydow - Meaning and Origin
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Sydow: What does the surname Sydow mean?
Sydow is a surname of Germanic, Swedish and Danish origin. Its meaning is derived from the Old Norse words "síðr," meaning "side" or "shore," and "vangr," meaning "field," suggesting that Sydow was likely a toponymic surname given to a family who originally lived near a field near a shore.
As an occupational surname, Sydow may also indicate ancestors whose livelihood was connected to the sea, such as fishermen, sailors or traders. In some cases, the affiliation may have been to the shipbuilding industry, or even to a specific craft known as "síðkaupa" (side-boat) that was developed to navigate shallow waters.
The earliest documented use of the surname is from the 16th century, when it appeared in records of a man named Oluff Swydow in Hesse, Germany. It later spread to other parts of Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and even to modern-day Poland and Norway, suggesting that the surname may have come from a multi-national source or a migration of people.
Despite its Scandinavian and Germanic roots, the surname Sydow is an internationally recognizable name today, thanks to the late German-Swedish actor, Max von Sydow. Max's career, spanning seven decades, saw him appear in films like The Exorcist, Seven Keys to Baldpate, and more recently, Game of Thrones.
Order DNA origin analysisSydow: Where does the name Sydow come from?
The last name Sydow is common today in parts of Germany, especially in the region of Hamburg. The name is also found in Sweden, Norway, Austria, and other parts of Europe.
Sydow is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the given name of a father, usually the father’s given name plus an ending such as -son or -dottir. In the case of Sydow, it is derived from the given name Syed, which was popular among medieval Germanic settlers. It is possible that it is also derived from the given name Sidvin, a variation of Sigvin, which is an Old Norse male name.
In the US, Sydow can be particularly common in areas with high populations of German-speaking Lutheran immigrants, who originally settled in the midwest during the 19th century. For instance, there is notable concentration of Sydows in Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota.
In Canada, Sydow is quite uncommon but is still represented in Alberta and Ontario, two provinces where significant Swedish immigration took place during the 19th century.
Overall, the surname Sydow is most common today in European countries, especially in German-speaking areas in the north. It is also found in the US and Canada among descendant of German, Nordic and Scandinavian settlers.
Variations of the surname Sydow
The surname Sydow has a range of spellings and surnames that can differ in various languages.
The most common spelling of the surname is ‘Sydow’. In English this spelling can also be found as ‘Sidow’. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, ‘Sydow’ is almost always spelled as ‘Siedow’ and in Danish and Norwegian, ‘Sydow’ is spelled as ‘Syedow’ or ‘Syedov’. In Swedish, the most common spelling of ‘Sydow’ is ‘Sidoff’.
The surname ‘Sydow’ also has several variants which display distinct spellings. In the Netherlands, a variant of ‘Sydow’ is ‘Sijdow’ and in German-speaking countries, ‘Siedow’ can also be seen as ‘Sedow’ or ‘Seidow’. In France and Spanish-speaking countries, the variants ‘Sydeau’ and ‘Sidedo’ are common.
Additionally, there are many surnames related to, or derived from, ‘Sydow’. This includes ‘Siedau’ and ‘Sida’ in German-speaking countries; ‘Siow’, ‘Sion’ and ‘Siyon’ in Hebrew; and ‘Side’ and ‘Sidoff’ in Sweden.
Overall, ‘Sydow’ is a widely used surname and its various spelling variants exist in multiple languages and countries. Upon researching the surname, one is likely to find a range of related spellings and surnames, all of which originate from the same source.
Famous people with the name Sydow
- Max von Sydow: An acclaimed Swedish actor and cultural icon, Max von Sydow has appeared in over 150 films and television shows, making him one of the most recognizable names in international cinema. His most well-known roles include Father Merrin in The Exorcist, Ming The Merciless in the Flash Gordon film, Leland Gaunt in Needful Things, and the Lor San Tekka in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
- Mikael Sydow: A Swedish film producer, Mikael Sydow has produced several award-winning and critically acclaimed films, including The cuckoo, The girl with the dragon tattoo and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He has also served as an executive producer on some of the biggest box office successes in Swedish film history.
- Stellan Skarsgård: An internationally acclaimed actor, Stellan Skarsgård is the son of Max von Sydow. He has starred in acclaimed films such as Amistad, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Jungle Book and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
- Alexander Sydow: A Swedish actor and director, Alexander Sydow, is the grandson of Max von Sydow. He is best known for his role as Simon in the acclaimed Swedish drama, Isprinsessan.
- Liv Ullmann: A Norwegian-Swedish actress and director, Liv Ullmann is best known for her collaborations with Ingmar Bergman in such films as Persona and Shame. She is the former wife of Max von Sydow.