Surname de Little - Meaning and Origin
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de Little: What does the surname de Little mean?
The surname "de Little" has its roots in the Old French language and is a reference to someone who is small or short in stature. The "de" in "de Little" is a typical prefix used in many French surnames to indicate "from" or "of", which might suggest a location or family significance. It's significant to remember that the size of a person during the time when surnames were initially derived was often relevant to their occupation. For instance, someone with the surname "de Little" might have been a craftsman or artisan who did detail-oriented work, or it could merely be an indication of a noticeable physical attribute.
In some instances, names were also humorously ironic, meaning a large or tall person might bear the surname "de Little". Given the many possibilities, it's challenging to define the exact meaning behind someone having the "de Little" surname without specific historical or genealogical context. Like many surnames, "de Little" could also have multiple interpretations and origins depending on the individual family lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisde Little: Where does the name de Little come from?
The surname de Little is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is popular in England. The name first appeared in the records in the region of Yorkshire during the mid-16th century. The "de" before "Little" often suggests a locational origin, but in this case, it seems to refer merely to the adjective "little". It is likely to be derived from the Old English "lytel", referring to someone who was small in stature, or possibly as a nickname for the youngest child in a family.
Nowadays, it's spread over various English-speaking countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, amongst others. However, the highest concentration remains in England. Matching with the early records, Yorkshire still seems to feature a significant number of people carrying the de Little surname today.
Variations of the surname de Little
The surname "de Little" seems to be a fairly rare surname and it's not common to find well-documented alternate spellings or variations of it. Following the typical rules of surname variant generation, possible variations might include "deLittle", "Little", "Littel", "Litle", "Lyttle", or even "DeLytel".
Moreover, "de Little" has a suggestive prefix 'de', which is commonly used in French and other romance languages, denoting "of" or "from" the named location. Thus, it could be hypothesized that this name might originally have denoted someone coming from a place called "Little" or a similar sounding location.
However, there is not enough information available to provide further surnames of the same origin without speculating. It's always recommended for individuals interested in tracing the origins or variations of their surnames to consult genealogical records or hire a professional genealogist. Additionally, conducting DNA testing or seeking out specific regional or cultural surname databases might also provide more accurate information.
Famous people with the name de Little
- Martin de Lille: Dutch composer and filmmaker.
- Gerard de Lille: Dutch politician and historian.
- Willem de Lille: Dutch illustrator and graphic designer.
- James de Lille: New Zealand fashion designer.
- Philippe de Lille: French archivist and lawyer.
- Joseph de Lille: French composer and organist.
- Wilhelmina de Lille: Dutch poet and translator.
- Pieter de Lille: Dutch lawyer and politician.
- Emanuel de Little: British politician and doctor.
- Geertruida de Lille: Dutch philanthropist and businesswoman.
- Jan de Little: Dutch politician and jurist.
- Roelof de Lille: Dutch artist, engraver and etcher.
- Michal de Lille: Dutch poet and novelist.
- Sophie de Lille: French artist, writer and poet.
- Aurthur de Lille: British zoologist and entomologist.
- Ferdinand de Lille: Belgian sculptor.
- Arnoud de Lille: Dutch poet and politician.
- Elizabeth de Lille: Belgian painter of portraits.
- Charles de Lille: Belgian composer and harmonium-player.
- Frederic de Lille: Dutch political scientist and public lawyer.