Surname Tillinghos - Meaning and Origin
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Tillinghos: What does the surname Tillinghos mean?
The last name Tillinghos is a variant of the French name Tillinghost, which is believed to be derived from the Latin word 'tillmalum', meaning 'dung-hill'. This last name is most commonly found in Southwestern Germany and Switzerland, and is likely of Germanic or French origin.
The surname is believed to have referred to those who lived in areas of agricultural production, as the word 'tillmalum' would indicate. Historically, such areas produced food staples such as corn, wheat, oats, and flax, as well as animal husbandry.
Those who bore the last name of Tillinghos would have been farmers, likely living on small plots of land, raising crops and tending to livestock. In modern times, the last name Tillinghos may still have agricultural connections, with modern bearers of the name often still employed in the agricultural industry or related fields.
Though the surname has been around for centuries, its exact origins are still unclear. Though the meaning of the last name 'Tillinghos' is likely connected to rural life and agricultural production in its origins, today those who bear it may live a variety of lifestyles, and draw meaning from its connection to the land and its traditional agricultural roots.
Order DNA origin analysisTillinghos: Where does the name Tillinghos come from?
The last name Tillinghos is most commonly found in the United States. Within North America, the highest concentration of Tillinghos is located in Texas. It is believed that the name originated among French Huguenots who were driven out of France due to persecution. Those French Huguenots eventually found their way to North America, particularly to states like Texas and Louisiana. As people migrated further from these two regions, the surname spread across the United States.
Today, it is estimated that anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands of individuals in the United States have the Tillinghos surname. The name is most likely to be found in the Southern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and especially Texas. Today many descendents of the surnames carry on the traditions and culture that the original French Huguenot families brought with them to the United States.
The name can also be found throughout the world, especially in Latin American countries such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. Though not as common outside of the United States, the name Tillinghos is a testament to the long and winding history of French Huguenots throughout the world.
Though the origin of the last name is not known for certain, what is certain is that individuals bearing the iconic name Tillinghos continue to live in the United States and across the world.
Variations of the surname Tillinghos
The surname Tillinghos is an archaic spelling of Tilling, a patronymic that originated in the south west of England. It is derived from the personal name 'Tilla', an Old English pre-seventh-century given name. Variations and spellings of this name include Tillinghast, Tillinghast, Tillings, Tillingshast, Tillingshast, Tillingshast, Tillingshot, Tilinge, Tilling and Thilling.
In the 16th century, the spelling of people's surnames changed due to the introduction of the printing press in England. At that point, literacy rates increased, making it easier for names to be recorded and distributed more widely. This lead to the capricious spellings which still exist today.
Surnames of the same origin as Tillinghos exist in other parts of England and Northern Ireland such as Till, Tilley, Tyllney, Tyll, Tillman, Tyler and Tiler. These variations are all derived from the Old English pre-seventh-century personal name Tilla, and make up an extended family tree for the Tillinghos surname.
Over the centuries, members of the Tillinghos family have left their own mark on the face of English history, from local troop leaders in the Monmouth Rebellion to public figures such as William Tillinghast, first bishop of the Episcopal Church in Rhode Island. The surname's unique blend of rich English heritage and the diverse adaptation of its spellings and Variants make it an interesting one to research and explore.
Famous people with the name Tillinghos
- Mark Tillinghast: former chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Lord Abbett & Co.
- Dave Tillinghast: former drummer of the band Asleep at the Wheel and current Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas
- Nathan Tillinghast: Canadian film and television actor
- Mike Tillinghast: professional bassist and producer
- Ed Tillinghast: retired running back for the Buffalo Bills
- Jon Tillinghast: retired professional soccer player
- William Tillinghast: American painter and sculptor
- Jean Tillinghast: award-winning journalist and author
- Karen Tillinghast: hosted and produced the television series “The Music Scene”
- Brigadier General Edwin Tillinghast: US Army officer and Medal of Honor recipient