Surname Travis - Meaning and Origin

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Z. Travis

Travis: What does the surname Travis mean?

The surname Travis is of French and English origin and is derived from the word "traverser" or "to cross" in French. This was used as nickname in medieval times for someone who lived near a bridge or a ford, or someone who worked as a toll collector on a bridge. This was often changed to "Travers" in English. Over time due to dialect and pronunciation changes, it was eventually changed to "Travis". Thus, the last name generally means a "collector of tolls", "bridge dweller", or "one who crosses". It's important to note that name etymology can be complex and is often subject to debate among scholars, and this interpretation is only one of many.

Travis: Where does the name Travis come from?

The last name Travis is most common today in the United States of America, particularly in Texas and certain areas in the South. It is thought to have originated in England, likely from a French surname. It could be derived from various French words such as 'traverser', which means 'to cross', and 'trevis', which means 'to twist'. In the United States, the Travis surname first became prominent in Virginia and North Carolina during the Colonial period. By the time of the American Revolution, Travis surnames had been found in neighboring states including Georgia and Tennessee.

By the mid 19th century the Travis surname had spread across the South, reaching across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. According to the U.S. census of 2000, the last name Travis was the 64th most common last name in the United States, Ultimately one out of every 374 Americans will have the last name Travis.  In modern day Travis surnames are found scattered across the United States with the highest concentrations found in Texas, followed by Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. The Travis name also has a global presence in Canada, Ireland, Japan, and the United Kingdom with varying levels in each country.

Variations of the surname Travis

Travis is a popular surname of English origin that is also quite common in the United States. The variant spellings of the name Travis include Travers, Traviss, Traves, Travys, and Trauves. Other surnames that are biologically of the same origin as Travis include Traviss, Trevis, Travers, Traverse, Trauves, Traves, Travys, Trabus, and Trafuss.

Traviss is a variant of Travis that is more common in America than elsewhere; it is likely derived from an early American pronunciation of the name. Trevis is a more modern variant of the name; this spelling is believed to have first appeared in England in the 1700’s. Travers is another variant of the surname that is most common in English-speaking countries.

The spelling Traverse is a variant that originated in France, and is likely derived from an early French pronunciation of the name. It is more common in French-speaking countries, such as France, Canada, and Haiti. The variant Trauves is a surname that is encountered primarily in France and Germany, and is believed to have been derived from a Dutch pronunciation of the name.

The variant Travys is much less common, and is believed to have first appeared in the mid 1800’s in the United States. Trabus and Trafuss are both derived from an early German pronunciation of Travis. Both of these surnames are encountered sporadically in German-speaking countries and in the United States.

Famous people with the name Travis

• Scott Travis: American musician and former drummer for Judas Priest.
• Randy Travis: Country music singer-songwriter.
• Valerie Travis: American theatre director, actor, and producer.
• Margaret Travis: English actress.
• Jace Travis: American writer and director.
• Laura Travis: American environmental scientist.
• Mark Travis: American builder, entrepreneur, and radio host.
• Clint Travis: Australian media executive and producer.
• Michael Travis: American psychotherapist and author.
• Chris Travis: American rapper and musician.
• Charles Travis: American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
• Kyle Travis: English television presenter and actor.
• Miles Travis: American musician and songwriter.
• Aneesh Travis: Indian film director, writer, and producer.
• Wesley Travis: American professional wrestler.
• Steve Travis: American actor and film producer.
• Jarrod Travis: Australian football player.
• Jakob Travis: American singer-songwriter.
• Denny Travis: American football player and coach.
• Tara Travis: Canadian film, television, and stage actress.

Other surnames

Traviss