Surname Devilly - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Devilly: What does the surname Devilly mean?
The last name Devilly is of French origin and is derived from the word "devil". It is believed to have been initially used to denote someone who was believed to have powers like those of the devil, either through mysticism or supernatural ability.
Devilly is a common French surname, with the first recorded instance appearing in the 13th century. It has been used in various forms, with the spelling changing over time to Devillé, Deville, Devillie and many other versions.
The name could also have come from a physical attribute or profession. It could be a variation on the word "devin" meaning "diviner" or "foreseer". A diviner was someone in the Medieval times believed to have the ability to read the future or divine events. Alternatively, it could refer to someone who was a lawyer - a "devil's advocate", a person appointed to challenge the truth of the matter in volatile court disputes.
In any case, the surname is thought to refer to a person with special powers or abilities. In some cases, the association with the devil could imply supernatural powers, but in many cases, it simply meant someone with exceptional talent, drive and ambition.
Order DNA origin analysisDevilly: Where does the name Devilly come from?
The last name Devilly is generally believed to have ancient French roots, and it is still quite common in parts of France today. Primarily, it is found in the region of Brittany in northwestern France, as this is the area with which the name is most closely associated. The prevalence of the name in Brittany has led to its adoption by the wider French-speaking world, meaning that it can also be found in parts of the neighbouring countries of Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec.
In the United States, the name can most commonly be found in places with large French diasporas such as Maine, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. It is also common amongst Canadians of French descent as well as other parts of the French-speaking world such as Lebanon, Algeria, and Mauritius.
Although the spelling of the name cannot necessarily be said to be quite standardised, its pronunciation has generally converged towards the French version of “dave-lee” in modern times. Given its ancient French roots and the prevalence of its variants across all of the Francophone countries, it is likely that the last name Devilly will remain a part of the French-speaking landscape for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Devilly
Devilly is a patronymic French surname that has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin throughout the world. The most common variant of Devilly is the Deville surname. It can also be spelled several different ways, including "DeVille," "Devillas," "Devillez," and "Devillees." In some cases, the spelling is hyphenated to form "De-Villey" or "Devill-ey."
In Spanish and Portuguese, the surname is written as "De Ville" or "Devilla," and in Italian, it is sometimes spelled "D'Villa." In Italy, the surname can also be written as "Deville," and in Germany, it is sometimes written as "de Vill."
In France, there are several other variants of Devilly, including "des Ville," "De Villat," and "de Villet." These surnames are all derived from the same root and have the same meaning. The French version can also be found in other countries, such as Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Devilly surname is also found in other parts of the world, including Quebec in Canada and Ireland. In Quebec, the surname is written as "de Villiers," in Ireland it is sometimes spelled "Devillier," and in Scotland, it is sometimes spelled "Devilly."
No matter how it is written, Devilly is a French surname derived from the Latin word for "town," which is villus. The others variants and spellings of the surname all also derive from the same root, meaning "of the town" in some form. The Devilly surname is found in many places throughout the world, with various spellings and variants, all of which are from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Devilly
- Peter Devilly: Australian comedian, stand-up artist, writer, producer and broadcaster
- Nick Devilly: Australian actor, appearing in film and television
- Robert Devilly: Australian jazz harmonica player and vocalist
- Liz Devilly: Irish stage and film actress
- Malcolm Devilly: Australian radio broadcaster and antiques collector
- James Devilly: Irish retired footballer
- Kevin Devilly: Irish medical doctor, international rugby player, and philanthropist
- Laura Devilly: Irish journalist and presenter
- Michael Devilly: Irish Gaelic football legend
- Chris Devilly: Australian Paralympic swimmer, footballer and athlete