Surname Celliers - Meaning and Origin

Celliers: What does the surname Celliers mean?

The last name Celliers is of French origin and is predominantly found in regions of Europe particularly in France and Belgium. The meaning of 'Celliers' can be traced back to the Old French term 'Cellier' which refers to a storeroom or cellar, specifically used for the storage of wine. Hence, the surname might have been originally used to denote someone who worked in a wine cellar or owned a wine storage. Like many surnames, it may also indicate the place of residence or occupation of the initial bearers, suggesting they might have lived near or worked in a Cellier. Another possible derivation could be from places named Celliers in France. Please note that surname origins can vary even within the same name and the meaning suggested is a general interpretation.

Celliers: Where does the name Celliers come from?

The surname Celliers primarily originates from France. It is derived from the Old French term “cellier”, meaning a cellar or store room. It was often used as an occupational name for a person who was in charge of the food storage cellar or more likely, the wine cellar, in a large house or a monastery. Today, the surname Celliers is more commonly found in South Africa due to historic French Huguenot migration to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many Huguenots fled from France due to religious persecution and settled in different parts around the world, including South Africa, where they significantly contributed to the development of wine-making in the region. As a result, the name Celliers also holds significant connections to the wine industry. So, while the surname is of French origin, it is more predominantly found in South Africa in the present day.

Variations of the surname Celliers

The surname Celliers seems to have French origins, related to the French word "cellier" meaning a store room or cellar. It could be referring to a person's occupation or could have been bestowed as a nickname to someone in charge of the wine cellars. Family names often changed over the centuries as languages evolved and people moved to different regions, evolving differently in different places. Alternate spellings could include Cellier, Celliers, Cellière, Cellières, Cellerier, and Celleriers.

This surname also has Dutch variations, as it is prevalent in South Africa due to Dutch colonization. The name Celliers might have been spelled as Cilliers, a popular Afrikaans surname.

Events like emigration often caused surnames to change as people firmly established themselves in a new country they might have Anglicized their surnames, leading to further variations. For example, the name could be adapted to English as Cellar or Cellars.

However, please note that these are educated guesses based on knowledge of surname origins and their common changes across regions and times. The exact variations and origins would require more in-depth genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Celliers

• François Cellier: A British conductor and composer, predominantly associated with comic opera.
• Jean-Pierre Cellier: A French Organist who graduated from the Paris Conservatory and served as an organ professor at the Orleans Conservatory.
• Frans Celliers: A South African actor who was a significant personality in Afrikaans theater.
• André Cellier: A French organist, composer, and teacher.
• Jacques-Alain Cellier: A French international rugby union player who represented his country in several international matches.
• Christiaan Celliers: A South African athlete who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.
• Marie-Claude Cellier: An astronomer associated with Paris Observatory.
• Rupert Celliers: A South African rugby player who played for the Western Province rugby team.
• Stephanus Petrus Celliers: A South African athlete who competed in various international competitions, including the Olympic Games.

Other surnames

CellieCellier