Surname Stiller - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Tracing the Stiller Surname: A Personal Insight into My Jewish Heritage Through iGENEA DNA Test
What does the surname 'Stiller' indicate about my heritage? With the help of the state-of-the-art genetic analysis done by iGENEA DNA test, I had a fascinating revelation about my roots and interconnectedness with the sprawling branches of the Stiller family tree. The abundance of evidence points towards the concentration in Central European Jewish communities, opening up a fascinating chapter of my ancestral past.
A. Stiller
read moreStiller: What does the surname Stiller mean?
The surname Stiller is of German origin and it is derived from the Middle High German verb 'stillen', which means 'to calm' or 'to pacify'. This name was likely used as a nickname for a calm, quiet or peaceful person. Over time, this nickname could have evolved into a surname and passed down through generations. The surname Stiller is quite common in Germany and also observed in other countries, especially those with German-speaking communities. Notable people with this surname include Ben Stiller, a famous American actor, and Jerry Stiller, his father and also a well-known actor and comedian. However, it is important to note that the specific meaning of a surname often depends on its historical and family context, and may not always directly correspond to the general meaning of the word from which it is derived.
Order DNA origin analysisStiller: Where does the name Stiller come from?
The last name Stiller is a surname of German or Jewish origin. Today, it is especially common in Germany and other parts of central Europe, with the highest concentration of the surname being in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It can also be found in other countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Additionally, many German Jewish immigrants who settled mainly in the United States during the 19th and early 20th century brought the Stiller surname to the country. As a result, Stiller is also common in the United States, appearing in states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Beyond Europe and the United States, Stiller is an uncommon last name in other parts of the world. However, the name has been adopted by some Jews in South American countries like Argentina and Brazil, as well as by some communities in the Middle East and East Asia. As a global phenomenon, some notable people have adopted the Stiller family name, including comedian and actor Ben Stiller, American writer Robert Stiller, and Yiddish singer and composer Gershon Sirota.
Variations of the surname Stiller
The surname Stiller is an old occupational name which originates from many countries in Europe. Variants of the surname include Styllar, Stillar, Stillars, Stirler, Stillers, Stilas, Stillman, Stillergun and Stille. In addition, Dutch variants of the surname are Stijl, Stille and Staller, while German variants are Stiller, Styller and Stille.
The original meaning of the surname Stiller was derived from the old German and Dutch words ‘stillen’ or ‘stille’, which meant ‘to be quiet’ or ‘to remain silent’. This was an occupational reference to people who worked in professions which required them to be quiet. Examples of such professions include bell-ringers and watchmen.
Over time, the surname Stiller has been carried forward through the generations with slight changes in its spelling due to regional dialects and the phonetics of different languages. For example, in Scotland it was spelled as Styller, and in Hungary it is often found as Stillersz, Sztiler and Sztillersz.
In France, there are several variant spellings which include Stillere, Stillier, Stilleur and Estille, while in Scotland spellings such as Stellar and Stellour are more common. Furthermore, in England the variants Stillor and Stillman are used.
In conclusion, the Stiller surname has a long and varied history across Europe. It has evolved and grown over the centuries and now there are many different spellings and variants of the name.
Famous people with the name Stiller
- Ben Stiller: American actor and comedian
- Jerry Stiller: American actor and comedian
- Robert Stiller: Founder of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
- Mel Stiller: American stage, film and television actor
- Christian Stiller: German actor
- Brian Stiller: Canadian evangelist and theologian
- Sybill Stiller: American soprano and voice teacher
- Len Stiller: Canadian radio personality
- Sienna Stiller: American actress
- Daniel Stiller: American screenwriter
- Leon Stiller: American poet
- Erika Stiller: German singer and songwriter
- Werner Stiller: German mathematician
- Paul Stiller: German journalist and politician
- Max Stiller: German World War I pilot
- Ernest Stiller: Romanian-Austrian playwright and composer
- Friedrich Stiller: German early film director, producer and actor
- Ljudmila Stiller: Soviet Russian actress
- William Stiller: British engraver and medallist
- Henry Stiller: American swimmer and Olympic gold medalist