Talk:Lewis (surname)

Fair use rationale for Image:Lewiscoa.jpg

Image:Lewiscoa.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to ensure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you. BetacommandBot (talk) 22:44, 13 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Although I can not say that the image is fair use, I do want to say that the image is probably used improperly here. I assume that, like all heraldry, the image here applies only to a specific family somewhere in the United Kingdom, and that the majority of people on the list provided are not actually in that family. I was kind of surprised to find it here on Wikipedia, it makes the page look like one of those cheap genealogical scams. 69.95.234.16 (talk) 02:46, 28 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed. Until we find out whose coat of arms that is, I don't think it ought to go in an infobox in that way. Especially since we know that the name is used in multiple countries, and has been used as an Anglicised form of different surnames in the Welsh, and Gaelic languages. I have a feeling the editor who upped the pic was under the impression that every Lewis could claim that coat of arms as their own.--Brianann MacAmhlaidh (talk) 05:04, 10 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Undoing until there is a proper discussion, a one-off comment is not grounds for image removal. Also, we don't go on "feelings" of other users' rationales.--Chris (クリス • フィッチ) (talk) 06:33, 10 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Hang on. Think about it for a minute. Anyone can remove any word, any letter, any image they want. That's Wikipedia. There doesn't need to be any discussion. You haven't made one counter-point. No one has. The point is the image does not represent the surname. Coats of arms belong to individuals, not surnames. This surname spans numerous countries, encompasses etymologically unconnected surnames from other languages, and is borne by countless unrelated families. One random coat of arms, from who-knows-where, does not represent this surname. Then there's the fair use criteria, but that's another issue.--Brianann MacAmhlaidh (talk) 06:47, 10 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Germanic

Please can someone edit (authoritatively) the Lewis family name Wikipedia page by removing the initial references to Germanic origins, which are largely specious, irrelevant and very misleading. Lewis does not typically equal Louis! The overwhelming majority of Lewis folk in the English-speaking world are of Celtic, not Germanic, origin; and the family name Lewis is usually held to be of Welsh origin in Britain, deriving from, inter alia, Llywelyn or Llewellyn, meaning "leader", "lion", or "shining one". It is also worth noting that the heraldic family crest on the Wikipedia page is of Welsh origin (and is not the only British Lewis coat of arms). Another point to bear in mind for further editing is that the Lewis family has figured prominently in American history - the Lewis, Adams, Jefferson, and Washington families were very close to one another. Some of the Lewis family history could hence be profitably included. Lewlaw24 (talk) 20:27, 14 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

You are wrong. Most reputable sources note that it is mostly from a Germanic name brought by Normans. Llewelyn was sometimes Anglicized as Lewis, but not all Lewises are Llwelyns. Nakamura Mondo (talk) 10:35, 12 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Whoever edited this page must REALLY want to substantiate some Germanic identify they cling to. Lewis is Celtic. This is well established. I know this page has been edited to reflect that but apparently Heir Lewis is desperate to prove his German bona fides and has reverted it. I sincerely hope no school children doing research on their Lewis family name are using this page as a source! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.29.40.12 (talk) 16:12, 12 June 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Isle of Lewis

The Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides really needs mention here, and some explanation of its origin (from the wiki page: "The Scottish Gaelic name Leòdhas may be derived from Norse Ljoðahús ('song house')" ), and has that resulted in a location based use of the Lewis surname? 2001:56A:F0E9:9B00:31E3:1B7E:BFFA:FA49 (talk) 20:18, 13 July 2022 (UTC)JustSomeWikiReader[reply]