Surname Tillinghaft - Meaning and Origin
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Tillinghaft: What does the surname Tillinghaft mean?
The last name Tillinghaft is an Anglo-Saxon patronymic surname meaning "son of Tilley". Its origin can be traced to the pre 7th century Old English personal name "Tila" or "Tillo". This name is derived from "tillen", the Old English word for "to till the ground", referring to someone who was engaged in farming, most likely as a tenant farmer.
The surname first appears in records in the late 12th century when one John Tilmege was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1195. Later records show a William Tylghaughte and a William Tylleghaughte both recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridge in 1279, and a John Tylehaghte who was an Insurance Collector in Suffolk in 1524.
The name has been in England for almost 800 years and is a proud testament to the strong history of the Anglo-Saxon people who have withstood the test of time and played a significant role in the development of both modern England and the English language. Today, the name Tillinghaft remains a strong reminder of the courage and resilience of those families who settled and built new lives in the British Isles during the Anglo-Saxon era.
Order DNA origin analysisTillinghaft: Where does the name Tillinghaft come from?
The last name Tillinghaft is most commonly found in countries in Europe with Germanic origins such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Tillinghaft is also found in smaller numbers in parts of North, Central, and South America as well as several eastern European countries.
It first appeared in Europe in the late 11th century in Baden-Württemberg, a state in southwestern Germany. The name is believed to have evolved from the German dudel-haft which refers to someone who was adept at playing music. The core of the Tillinghaft family name is believed to have derived from the Old German Tilnhaft which may be a variant spelling of tillingen or telingen, both of which refer to a type of dance popular in the area.
The name is most commonly found in regions of Southwest Germany, particularly the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate. In the Netherlands, it is most common in the provinces of North Brabant and Gelderland.
In recent years, many members of the Tillinghaft family have emigrated from the European continent, leading to a greater concentration of the name in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the name can be found in a variety of states, but is most prevalent in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Florida.
Variations of the surname Tillinghaft
Tillinghaft is a surname that originates from the East Prussian province of Lithuania. It is primarily found in Lithuania, Poland, and Germany. The spelling and variant forms of the Tillinghaft surname include Telinghausen, Tillengas, Tilingash, Tillenhaus, and Tilleyhaus.
The Lithuanian spelling of the surname is Tillingas, from the name Tillingo, which is derived from the Germanic name "Thiling" meaning strong in battle. In Poland, the name is spelled "Tillenhauf", which is derived from "til" meaning mud and "hauf", meaning wave or a hill.
In Germany, the name is spelled “Tilinghausen”, derived from “Tiling” meaning shield and “hausen” meaning house, referring to a fortified house. The spelling "Tillenhaus" is derived from the same Germanic name "Thiling" and "haus", meaning house. In some cases, the name has also been rendered as "Tilleyhaus" due to association with the name "Tilley".
In the Netherlands, the spelling of the name is "Tahlijngaas", which is derived from the Dutch word "talng" meaning mire and "gaas" meaning reed.
Tillinghaft is an uncommon surname, and it is possible that some of the variant spellings could be incorrect or have modified spellings. Despite the variation in spelling, all of these surnames are derived from Tillinghoft and are of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Tillinghaft
- Sam Tillinghast: Professional mountain biker and guide at Kingdom Trails.
- Allison Tillinghast: Award-winning American figure skater.
- Harold Tillinghast: Notable American lawyer and philanthropist.
- Rupert Tillinghast: British actor known for roles in The Bill and Casualty.
- Rupert Tillinghast Jr.: American actor and director of independent films.
- Joseph Tillinghast: Prominent businessman and entrepreneur.
- Jack Tillinghast: Professional football coach and the winningest head coach in the American Indoor Football League.
- John Tillinghast: Famed American architect and urban designer.
- Winthrop Tillinghast: Notable colonial American politician and judge.
- Abi Tillinghast: Activist and public figure in the LGBTQ+ community.