Surname Tilly - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Tilly: What does the surname Tilly mean?
The surname Tilly is of French origin and is derived from the Old French word "tilleul," which means "linden tree." The name translated to "at the linden tree" was often given to a person who lived near a linden, or basswood tree. It is a classic example of a topographic surname, a type of surname that was given to someone who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.
The family name Tilly was first found in Languedoc, southern France, where the ancestral residence of the family is thought to be. Many historical figures from different countries bear this name, such as Jean Tilly, a French field marshal in the 17th century, and Jennifer Tilly, an American actress and poker player. Therefore, carrying valuable regional and historical connotations, the surname Tilly highlights an intrinsic connection with nature and location.
Order DNA origin analysisTilly: Where does the name Tilly come from?
The last name Tilly is common in France, Belgium, and certain parts of the United States, particularly in the Midwest.
In France, the name is derived from the medieval given name Thierry, and is recorded in most French provinces. It is most likely of Norman extraction, and first gained prominence during the reign of Charlemagne. The last name has also been prominent in the region of Lorraine, France, for centuries.
In Belgium, the name is thought to have been introduced early on by Norman and Flemish settlers. Many Belgian Tillys feature the title ‘de Tilly’ or 'van Tilly'.
In the United States, the Tilly name is common in the Midwest. The first American immigrant bearing the Tilly name was John Tilly, who landed in Philadelphia in 1737. Later, William J. Tilly is thought to have migrated from Germany in 1844 and settled in pristine Wisconsin, founding the town of Tilly, Wisconsin. Since then, the name has grown in popularity throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Indiana.
Today, there are over 3,000 people in the United States with the Tilly surname, and over 500 people in France.
Variations of the surname Tilly
The surname Tilly is an English and French patronymic surname originating from the Norman-French personal name Thiebault, derived from the Germanic name Theodobaldus. It was an occasional name within England, brought in by the Normans in the 11th century.
Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin include Till, Tillie, Tillay, Tillay, Tilley, Tillyer, Tilmer, Tyllye, Tylly, Thilly, and Thiillay.
Tilly can be a nickname or a derived surname. In some cases, it emerged as a reductions of the surname Matilda, which has a Germanic origin. As a result, the surname Matilda can be an origin of the surname Tilly.
The surname Tillie also has an etymological origin from the French and German Theobald. It was sometimes used as a nickname for a person who was brave, bold, or wise. Tillie can also occasionally have an Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Tuillidhe (descendents of Tuilleadh).
In Scotland, the surname Tilly is derived from the given name Tulley, which is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic name Houltach. This name derived from the Old Norse personal name Hjalti, meaning "helmet".
The surname Tilly may also appear as a habitational name from places named Tilley, located in Wiltshire, West Sussex, and Devon. This place-name could either originate from the Old English word tille, or more likely, from a family called Tille.
Famous people with the name Tilly
- Meg Tilly: actress, author, and dancer
- Jennifer Tilly: actress and poker player
- Stephen Tilly: actor
- Richard Tilly: German historian
- Sir John Tilly: British soldier
- Julien Tilly: French engineer
- Joe Tilly: activist, professor, and athlete
- Rick Tilly: baseball player
- Sir John Tilly-Beddoes: British civil servant
- Anne Bancroft Tilly: actress, producer, and public relations professional