Surname Velie - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Velie: What does the surname Velie mean?
The last name Velie does not have a specific meaning attached to it in many cultures, as its origin is relatively obscure. However, it's categorized under rare and unique surnames. It seems to be of Dutch origin, as it is most prevalent in the United States and Netherlands. Some believe it's derived from a locational or occupational name, yet the specifics are not well-documented. Unfortunately, unlike many surnames that have their roots in specific occupations, geographical locations, or ancestor's names, the origin and literal meaning of the surname Velie is not clearly defined. Surnames' meanings often change over centuries, becoming distorted or forgotten, and Velie might be one such case. Thus, it would be speculative to assign a particular meaning without documented historical evidence. It's also possible that the surname has individual significance to different branches of the Velie family, based on their personal family history and lineage. Research into family heraldry or genealogy might potentially provide more insight into the individual meaning of the Velie surname.
Order DNA origin analysisVelie: Where does the name Velie come from?
The last name Velie is most common today in the United States, although it is also found in other countries with significant American diaspora, such as Canada and the United Kingdom. The name is of French origins, deriving from the Old French word "viel" meaning "worthiness" and is thought to have been brought to the US by immigrants from France in the late 1600s.
In the United States, the most frequent locations of theVelie name are Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Texas, and Ohio. In Pennsylvania and New York, it has been recorded as far back as the early 1850s.
Michigan is the state with the most Velies today, making up almost a quarter of the total population. California holds the second highest number, followed by Texas, Ohio, and Illinois. The states with the lowest concentration of the name are Alaska, Hawaii, and Wyoming.
Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom have their own sizable populations of Velies, primarily with roots in later waves of immigration coming from the US. Canada is home to the fourth largest concentration of Velies – many of whom live in Toronto.
The name is relatively rare, making up just 0.002% of the population of the United States, and even less in other countries. Nevertheless, it is possible to trace the Velie name and its owners across the telecoms of the last 400 years.
Variations of the surname Velie
The surname Velie, also spelled Valie, Vely, Velly, and Veley, is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic word "mac an bheilidh" and is a patronymic name, meaning "son of the bard".
The surname is found primarily in Scotland, where it is recorded across much of the country, especially in Perthshire and East Lothian. In Scotland, some bearers of the surname have changed the spelling of the name from Velie to Veley in recent generations.
The surname is also found in Ireland, particularly in Counties Donegal and Monaghan. Those with the surname often spell it Veely, although variants Vely, Velly, and Valie are also found.
A few families with the surname can be found in South Africa, where they may have emigrated from Scotland or Ireland in the mid-19th century. Those with the surname in South Africa often spell it Veley, using the Scottish spelling.
Variants of the surname Velie include Valie, Vely, Velly, Veley, and Veely. Surnames of the same origin include MacBheilidh, MacBeil, MacBeath, and MacBeathad, among others.
Famous people with the name Velie
- Eleanor Velie: Eleanor was an American tennis player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.
- William Cyril Velie: William was an American author, professor and ornithologist.
- Julin Velie: Julin was an American tug-of-war competitor at the 1904 Summer Olympics.
- Harold Velie: Harold was an American lawyer and writer, and a Harvard Law School graduate.
- Abraham Velie: Abraham was an American politician, and a founder of the Illinois Republican Party.
- Mabel Swope Velie: Mabel was an American socialite, philanthropist and member of the Velie family automotive dynasty.
- John Franklin Velie: John was an American evangelist, pastor and member of the Church of the Nazarene.
- Henry Velie: Henry was an American industrialist and founder of the Velie Motor Corporation.
- Elmer Velie: Elmer was an American lawyer and editor.
- LeRoy Mark Velie: LeRoy was an American investment banker and businessman who served as the president and chairman of the New York Stock Exchange.