Surname Colly - Meaning and Origin
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Colly: What does the surname Colly mean?
The last name Colly is a French surname originating from the Latin word "colombi," which translates to mean "dove." This surname is popular in the northern regions of France as well as the Channel Islands, including Jersey and Guernsey. The “-y” at the end of the name is a signifier which suggests the name was likely first established as a given name and then used as a surname.
The historical meaning of the dove is one of peace and love. Over time the dove has come to be a symbol of resurrection, faith, hope, and of course, love. As France is a country rich in history and Catholic faith, the significance of the last name Colly goes beyond the typical family name - it ultimately serves as an intrinsic link to an array of meaningful symbols and events.
In addition to the religious symbolism attached to the name, Colly is associated with the Lille region of north-eastern France. It has been used as both a surname and a place name in this area and is thought to mean "of Colly." This suggests the name may also have local roots, and is associated with a family that once owned a place of significant importance in the region.
In summary, the last name Colly today is symbolic of the region where it originates and the cultural and religious history that comes with the area. Furthermore, with its meaning of “dove” it also offers an eternal representation of peace, love and faith.
Order DNA origin analysisColly: Where does the name Colly come from?
The last name Colly is most commonly found in African nations today. In South Africa, Colly is a popular surname, particularly within the Afrikaans community. Census records also show the considerable presence of the last name Colly in Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria.
In South Africa, the Colly surname is linked with the Afrikaans language, a language descended from the Dutch language and developed amongst Dutch settlers in South Africa during the pre-Apartheid era. According to Afrikaans literature, individuals with the Colly surname descended from a single family which migrated from Zeeland, Netherlands during the seventeenth century.
Census records from other countries suggest that the name is simply a variant of the more commonly spelled last name Collie which is of Scottish origin. The name Collie is believed to be derived from a geographical area within Scotland although the exact origin is debated.
So while the presence of the name Colly in Scotland, or at least of its variant Collie, is well documented, its presence today is found predominately in African countries. Colly families can be found in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia where it is tied to the Afrikaans language, the Scottish language, or even as a variant of the Collie surname.
Variations of the surname Colly
The surname Colly (also spelled Collie, Coly, Coley, and occasionally Colley) is of English origin and refers to a person or family who lived in modern day Scotland and Northern England. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "MacCallaidh" which derives from the words “Mac” meaning “son” and “Callaidh” meaning “battle”. It is widely believed to have originally been used to refer to someone who was a fierce warrior or an apprentice to a warrior.
The surname Colly is also associated with other north British surnames, such as Colley, Comley, Collache and Colllis. Throughout Europe, variations on the surname exist in different spellings such as Collier, Cooley, Cole, Coel and Collyer.
In North American history, many people of Scottish or Irish heritage used variations of the original surname in the early colonial period, such as Collie, Collyer, and Colley.
In Australia, the surname Colley was used as early as the 18th century as an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname “MacCallaidh”.
The surnames Colly, Colley, Collie and Coley are also commonly used in other parts of the world, especially in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.
Thus, the surnames Colly, Colley, Collie, Coley and their various variations can be found worldwide, tracing back to their origin in Scotland and Northern England.
Famous people with the name Colly
- Band of Horses singer Ben Bridwell
- Jamaican reggae artist Garnett Silk
- England cricket player Ashley Collymore
- Former West Indies cricketer Sean Collymore
- Irish folk musician John Collin
- American architect John Collyer
- American actor Dan Colley
- Jazz musician Kyle Collyer
- English actor Clifford Collier
- Jamaican bobsled driver Devon Harris