Surname Cornhill - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cornhill: What does the surname Cornhill mean?
The surname Cornhill is of English origin and is topographical, relating to a specific geographical location. It likely originated from the street name "Cornhill" in London, England. The term "Cornhill" itself combines two old English words: "corn," meaning grain, and "hyll," meaning hill. It was the place where medieval merchants met to trade corns. Therefore, the name may have been given to someone who lived by such a hill or worked on this street where grain trading took place. As surnames were often awarded based on geography, profession, or familial relation, a person bearing the surname Cornhill may likely have a historical connection to this London location or the grain trade.
Order DNA origin analysisCornhill: Where does the name Cornhill come from?
The surname Cornhill is of English origin and is believed to have geographical roots. It likely was derived from Cornhill, a street and ward in the eastern part of the City of London's financial district. The area was once known for its grain market in medieval times, which could be where the name originated.
As for its commonality, Cornhill is still mostly found in the United Kingdom today. Due to emigration over the centuries, the name has also traveled to various parts of the world including Australia, Canada, and the United States, but it remains fairly rare. The name Cornhill is not among the frequent last names globally, thus it indicates its uncommon nature. Much of the surname's distribution might be traced back to British colonial history and patterns of immigration. Like many surnames, Cornhill can provide a unique insight into a family's historical and geographical roots.
Variations of the surname Cornhill
The surname Cornhill is of English origin and it is derived from Cornhill, a place in London and Northumberland. There aren’t many recorded variants of this particular surname due to its unique location-based origin. However, it's worth noting that surnames can, over time and across regions, morph in spelling and pronunciation due to different dialects and literacy levels. Therefore, variants could potentially include "Cornhille", "Cornhilll", or "Kornhill".
It is also plausible that people from the Cornhill locations in England may have adopted other surnames representing their geographic origin. For instance, Northernhill, Southhill, Easthill, or Westhill might have been used to signify a specific location within Cornhill.
Sometimes, people may have also divided the surname into two, "Corn" and "Hill", leading to potential derivatives like "Cornfield" or "Hilltop". Yet, this is purely speculative. In reality, direct variants or different spellings of Cornhill aren't widely seen or discussed in historical archives and genealogical studies. As for derived surnames, it would take extensive genealogical research to substantiate any connection.
Famous people with the name Cornhill
- Flora Cornhill: British actress best known for appearing in the BBC sitcom “Blott on the Landscape”
- David Cornhill: Canadian entrepreneur and venture capitalist
- Henry Cornhill: English politician who served as Member of Parliament for North Wiltshire
- Lawrence Cornhill: British professional wrestler, known for his distinct Cornhill Sack tap dances
- Colin Cornhill: Professional golfer from the United Kingdom
- David Cornhill: Canadian attorney, former senior advisor and chief of staff to the leader of the opposition in Canada
- Naomi Cornhill: American singer-songwriter, winner of the Nashville Star reality singing show in 2006
- James Cornhill: British film and television actor known for his roles in “Holby City,” “The Bill,” and “Silent Witness”
- William Cornhill: American boxer and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
- Sir Robert Cornhill: English nobleman and one time Royal Governor of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador