Surname Hilly - Meaning and Origin
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Hilly: What does the surname Hilly mean?
The origin of the surname Hilly is uncertain. It may be a topographic name derived from the Middle English ‘hille’, meaning ‘hill’ or ‘ridge’, and referring to someone who lived or worked on a hill or ridge, or it may be a locational name derived from any one of the various minor places called Hilly. It may have developed from the Middle English ‘hil(l)’, which referred to an eminence or hill, or Old English ‘hyll’, meaning ‘leasehold’.
In some cases, the surname may be a variant of ‘Hillyer’, which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic personal name ‘O'Maol-Mhuire’, or ‘servant of Mary’. This name may have come to England as a result of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The surname Hilly is found in many countries and records of its use date back to 1296 in Devonshire, England. Today, it is most common in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.
In general, anyone who is surnamed Hilly is believed to be tall, intelligent, and determined in their endeavors. They are passionate about life and have the potential to rise higher in their chosen profession or business. They are also believed to be cheerful, approachable, and warm-hearted.
Order DNA origin analysisHilly: Where does the name Hilly come from?
The last name Hilly can be found in many parts of the world, including Europe, the United States, and other countries around the world.
In Europe, the name Hilly is particularly common in England and Ireland. It is an anglicized version of the Irish and Scottish last name Ó hUallacháin, which means "descendant of Uallachán". It is interesting to note that the Irish version of the name is the same as the English Hilly, but with the 'H' replaced by 'Ó'.
In the United States, Hilly is not as common as it is in Europe, but there are still pockets of Hilly families scattered throughout the country. The most common states that Hilly families can be found are Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Texas. In each of these states, Hilly is the 175th-200th most common last name.
Elsewhere in the world, Hilly is the last name of various prominent individuals. In Ethiopia, for example, the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was known as Hilly Meles. In Australia, musician Seraphim Hilly is renowned for his unique playing style and vibrant compositions.
Overall, Hilly is an ancient name with a rich history and a lasting legacy, and its modern prevalence shows just how far the name has spread.
Variations of the surname Hilly
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Hilly include Hillie, Hill, Hillier, Hillye, Hillina, and Hillin. Some related surnames include Hills, Hillis, Hillian, Hillside, and Hillenburg.
The variations of Hilly and related surnames are derived from different sources, such as English, French, German, and Scandinavian countries. It is likely that the origin of the surname Hilly is from the Norman French “hil” meaning hill. This would explain why “Hill” is a common variant of the surname. In England, Early records of the surname Hilly date back to 1275 when Galfridus de Hil is mentioned in the Documents related to the Danelaw. In Scotland, the surname Henry Hilly was recorded in 1436 in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland.
In France, the surnames Hillye and Hillina developed from the Old French Hil and the Hebrew personal name Eliah. Hilinis was also noted as a surname in France as far back as 1564. Additionally, the surname Hillier is derived from the Old French ahilier, which means a gravel or stone maker.
In Germany, the surname Hill is derived from a habitational name, derived from a place near Heilbronn. Hillis and Hillside come from the German “hil” as well, which can mean either “hill” or “wooded hill." In Sweden, Hillberg is derived from the Swedish hall meaning rock and berg which is a word signifying a hill.
The name Hilly has a reliable and lengthy history of spelling variations and variants throughout Europe. It remains a popular surname in the United States, Canada, and many other countries.
Famous people with the name Hilly
- Hillary Clinton: Former United States Secretary of State, first female presidential nominee of a major political party and first female Senator from New York.
- Billy Hilly: Former American football player and coach who played college football for East Tennessee State University and the University of Minnesota.
- David Hilly: American actor who is best known for his roles in The Walking Dead and FlashForward.
- Randall Hilly: American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Alison Hilly: British model and actress who is best known for her roles in The Hunger and Red Sparrow.
- Taylor Hilly: Canadian football player who played four seasons in the Canadian Football League.
- Marcus Hilly: Retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Helen Hilly: British actress and singer who is best known for her roles in West End musicals and feature films such as Mamma Mia and The Greatest Showman.
- Emma Hilly: British singer, songwriter, and dancer who is best known for her singles “Killin’ It” and “Shallow”.
- Elton Hilly: English actor who is best known for his roles in the Harry Potter films.