Surname Doolittle - Meaning and Origin
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A Deep Dive into Ancestry: iGENEA DNA Test's Insights into the Doolittle Lineage
Seeking to investigate my ancestral origins particularly related to the surname Doolittle, I decided to undergo a DNA test with iGENEA. The testing process used both Y-DNA and mtDNA to explore my paternal and maternal lineages, and the results were meticulously detailed and convincingly accurate. Examining these results offered me profound insights into the ancient roots and migratory patterns of the Doolittle lineage, providing a clearer understanding of my genetic inheritance.
M. Doolittle
read moreDoolittle: What does the surname Doolittle mean?
The surname Doolittle originates from the Old English language and is derived from the nickname "dolittle", which implies a lazy person or a layabout. In Old English "do" means to make or create, and "little" means very small in size, amount, or degree. Hence, it signifies someone who does very little work or is often idle. This was probably used humorously or ironically for an active, busy person, as many traditional English surnames originally functioned as ironic or joking nicknames. However, it can't be affirmed with certainty because surnames had diverse origins and were formed from various elements including trades, personal characteristics, or geographical features. Today, the surname is mostly found in North America and the United Kingdom. Notable people with the surname include Hilda Doolittle, an American poet and novelist; Alfred Doolittle, a character in George Bernard Shaw's play 'Pygmalion'; and Eliza Doolittle, a pop artist from the UK.
Order DNA origin analysisDoolittle: Where does the name Doolittle come from?
The surname Doolittle originated in England, specifically from the East Anglia region. It is believed to be derived from the medieval nickname "Dwellynglitill" which further splits into "Dwelling" and "Little", possibly referring to someone living in a small dwelling or house. The surname has been present from the 13th century onwards, with the first recorded spelling being that of Nicholas Dwellinglitill in 1248 in the "Assize Court Rolls of Lancashire."
Today, Doolittle is relatively rare, however, it is most common in the United States. According to Forebears, in 2014, the United States had the highest concentration of people with the Doolittle surname, with over 5000 instances. It ranked the 6673rd most common surname in the country. In the UK, its country of origin, it is significantly rarer, ranking as the 47268th most common surname with only 493 instances. Apart from these two countries, the Doolittle surname is also present, albeit in significantly fewer numbers, in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Doolittle
The surname Doolittle is of English origin and primarily derived from a nickname for someone considered lazy or unproductive, from the Middle English "do littel." It has faced many alterations in spelling throughout history due to its phonetic nature. Variants and alternate spellings of the name include Dolittle, Doelittle, Doe-Little, Doolitle, Dulittell, Doolitell, Doo-Little, Dewlittle, Dolittel, and Dualitell.
This surname has been documented in England since the 13th century and was brought to America in the early days of European colonization. It's important to note that many English surnames were often altered when the family emigrated to other countries, especially in America where officials often recorded the name as they heard it spoken.
Surnames from the same origin are often derived from nicknames, occupations, or descriptions, much like Doolittle. They typically reflect the language and culture of the country of origin. In the case of Doolittle, other surnames of similar Middle English origin include Little, Big, Long, Short, and so forth.
Famous people with the name Doolittle
- Hilda Doolittle: Known by her pen name H. D., Hilda Doolittle was a famous American poet, novelist, and memoirist.
- Eliza Doolittle: British songwriter and pop singer, known for her hits like "Pack Up" and "Skinny Genes.”
- Sean Doolittle: A professional American baseball player, best known as a pitcher for the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball.
- Jimmy Doolittle: American military general and aviation pioneer, known for conducting the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo during World War II.
- Nora Ephron Doolittle: Renowned American journalist, playwright, screenwriter, and filmmaker.
- Martha Doolittle: An American soprano and voice teacher.
- Alfred Doolittle: A fictional character in the musical My Fair Lady.
- Frank Doolittle: An American football player and coach during the early 20th century.
- Amity Doolittle: An environmental anthropologist and lecturer at Yale University.
- Joseph Doolittle: An American silversmith and pewterer in the 18th century.
- David Doolittle: A notable American artist known for his landscape and bird paintings. Please note that some of these individuals may be minor celebrities or have long since passed away.