Dennis Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Dennis come from? What does the surname Dennis mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Dennis and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Denis, Dec, Denes, Dennett, Dennison, Denny, Dinges, Dings, Dinis, Diniz, Dinse, Dionisio, Divis, Donis, Dye, Dyett
Surname Dennis Origin: What does the last name Dennis mean?
The surname Dennis originates from the Greco-Roman name Dionysius, associated with the Greek god of wine, Dionysus. The name is believed to come from the Greek words "Dios" meaning "of Zeus" and "Nysos" or "Nysa," where the god was raised. Dionysus was not only the god of wine but also represented civilization, agriculture, and the arts. The surname Dennis has a long history, with variations like Denis, Denys, and Dion found in English, Irish, Danish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, and other cultures.
According to YourRoots data, the Dennis surname has been present in the United Kingdom since the 12th century, with significant records in England. The surname experienced a surge in the United States from the 16th century onward, surpassing the UK in terms of volume. Today, the Dennis surname is widespread globally, appearing in countries like Canada, Australia, Germany, and Ireland. The surname's evolution reflects its deep roots in history and its continued presence in diverse regions and cultures.
Dennis Last Name History: Where did the last name Dennis come from?
Origin of Dennis Surname: Where does the last name Dennis originate from?
Our YourRoots data shows that the surname Dennis first appeared in the historical records of the United Kingdom, specifically England, around the early 12th century. Please note that this data only reflects the exact spelling "Dennis" as found in the YourRoots database, and does not take into account other potential sources or surname variations.
History of the Last Name Dennis: What does the Dennis surname history look like in the early days?
The Dennis surname has a strong association with the United Kingdom from the 12th through the 15th century, as reflected in the YourRoots database. However, a substantial increase in the volume of Dennis surname records is observed in the United States from the 16th century onwards, indicating a shift in the surname's prevalence.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Dennis surname today?
From the 16th century onwards, according to YourRoots data, the Dennis surname saw a significant growth in the United States, surpassing the United Kingdom in volume of records. This trend continued into the subsequent centuries. Today, the Dennis surname is not only prevalent in the United States, but can also be found across various regions worldwide. The Dennis surname appears in many countries, including, but not limited to, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, France, and Ireland.
Explore Dennis last name heritage and Dennis surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Dennis Surame?
Sandy Dennis
Sandra Dale Dennis (Apr 27, 1937 - Mar 2, 1992) was an American actress known for her Academy Award-winning role in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" She also had a successful stage career, winning Tony Awards for her performances in "A Thousand Clowns" and "Any Wednesday."
Gabrielle Dennis
Gabrielle Dennis (born Oct 19, 1978) is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her roles in "A Black Lady Sketch Show," "The Game," "Rosewood," "Insecure," and "Luke Cage." Dennis also portrayed Whitney Houston in the BET miniseries "The Bobby Brown Story."
Cathy Dennis
Catherine Roseanne Dennis (Mar 25, 1969 - ) is a British singer, songwriter, and record producer known for her solo hits like "Touch Me (All Night Long)". She later found success as a songwriter, co-creating hits for artists like Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears, winning multiple awards for her work.
Kenrick Dennis
Kenrick Alexander Dennis (7 Nov 1966 – 22 Jan 2003) was a talented international cricketer from Jamaica who represented the American national team. Known for his right-arm pace bowling, Dennis played in the 1997 ICC Trophy and had a successful career in both domestic and international cricket.
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