Lewis Cemetery Records
Search burial records, grave locations, and genealogy data for the Lewis family name across all 50 states.
🏺 Origin of the Lewis Surname
Lewis is a Welsh and English surname derived from the given name Lewis or Luis, which came from the Old High German "Hlodwig" (Clovis/Ludwig/Louis — fame + battle). In Wales, where the given name Llywelyn was Latinized and then anglicized to Lewis, it became a very common surname. Lewis is disproportionately common in Wales and among Welsh-heritage Americans.
🇺🇸 Lewis Families in American History
Lewis families came to America primarily from Wales and England. Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is the most famous American Lewis. The surname is found across all regions but with particular concentration in Appalachian states due to Welsh Scots-Irish heritage. Lewis is also common among African Americans.
Where Lewis Families Are Concentrated
| State | Notes |
|---|---|
| Virginia | Meriwether Lewis born in Albemarle County; strong colonial heritage |
| Tennessee | Lewis County named for Meriwether Lewis; strong Appalachian heritage |
| West Virginia | Lewis County established 1816; strong Welsh-Appalachian heritage |
| Pennsylvania | Welsh Lewis families in eastern Pennsylvania Welsh Tract |
| North Carolina | Deep colonial heritage; strong African American Lewis population |
Famous Americans Named Lewis
Explorer (Lewis & Clark); buried at Lewis Monument, Natchez Trace, TN
Labor leader, United Mine Workers president; buried in Springfield, IL
First American to win Nobel Prize in Literature; buried in Sauk Centre, MN
First professionally successful African American sculptor; buried in London
Sample Lewis Burial Records
| Name | Birth | Death | Cemetery | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John L. Lewis | 1880 | 1969 | Springdale Cemetery | IL |
Search Tips for Lewis Family Records
Meriwether Lewis burial: the gravesite on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tennessee is well-documented
Welsh Lewis families: Baptist chapel records in Pennsylvania and Ohio are the best primary sources
Lewis County records exist in both Virginia (now WV) and Tennessee — search both for Appalachian Lewis families
John L. Lewis (UMW): Springfield, Illinois and labor archives contain extensive family records
African American Lewis families: Tennessee and Virginia Freedmen's Bureau and Baptist church records key
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewis primarily Welsh or English?
Lewis is more concentrated in Wales proportionally than in England, though it is common in both. The Welsh form derives from Llywelyn (anglicized through Latin Lewis); the English form is a direct adoption of the French/Norman given name Louis. In America, both English and Welsh origins are common.
How do I find Meriwether Lewis's family records in Virginia?
Albemarle County, Virginia has excellent records of the Lewis family. The Lewis family plantation (Locust Hill) records, Albemarle County court records, and Virginia Historical Society archives all contain documentation. The Lewis family is well-studied.
Are there variant spellings of Lewis?
Llewellyn/Llywelyn are the Welsh given names that became Lewis as a surname. Some families retained the Llewelyn spelling; others anglicized completely to Lewis. Louis (the French form) occasionally appears as an alternate in early records.
Can I find Edmonia Lewis family records in America?
Yes. Edmonia Lewis was born in New York to an Ojibwe mother and African American father. Records are sparse — she is documented primarily through her artistic career records (Rome, Boston, Chicago). Her family background is discussed in various African American and Native American genealogical resources.
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