Surname Melies - Meaning and Origin
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Melies: What does the surname Melies mean?
The last name Melies is a French last name which is derived from the Latin personal name 'Melius' which in English roughly translates to "better". This surname is likely a patronymic last name; meaning that it is derived from the given name or first name of the father.
The first record of the Melies surname dates back to 1367 in Paris where a certain Fournier de Melies was noted as a witness in court documents. This surname is particularly associated with the area of Normandy in Northern France and, later, with the city of Paris and its surrounding region.
Interestingly, the Melies surname has become famous due to the success of the French-born filmmaker George Melies who had a major influence on the development of cinema in the early twentieth century. His works included the renowned movie 'A Trip to the Moon' and 'The Conquest of the Pole'.
The Melies surname is known to be quite common in France, with several variations of the spelling such as Mellies, Mallies and Milles. It is also becoming increasingly popular in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite its increasing global presence, it continues to be heavily associated with French culture and its rich film history.
Order DNA origin analysisMelies: Where does the name Melies come from?
The surname Melies is most commonly found in France, where it originated. It is derived from a topographic name for someone who lived at the base of a hill or mountain. The name originated from the Old French words "mell," meaning soft, and “ez," meaning soils. The family name was first recorded in a small village near Nantes, France in 1230, when Adrien Meliers was mentioned in court records. From there, members of the family moved across Europe and eventually to other parts of the world.
There is an active community of people bearing the name today throughout France and other parts of Europe, including in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The name is also fairly common in the United States, where an estimated 8,000 individuals with the last name Melies were living in 2020. The highest concentration can be found in California, followed by New York and New Jersey as the next states with the most Melies.
Although the family originated in France, the name itself has deep religious roots, derived from a family that was French Huguenot Protestantism. Over the centuries, the family has established branches throughout the world with its descendants now living in countries as far reaching as Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Melies
Melies is a surname of French origin, primarily associated with French illusionist and film pioneer Georges Melies. Variants, spellings and surnames of a similar origin include Mêlies, Meliès, Meless, Meliés, Méliès, Mielies, Mieliès and Melliès.
The Mêlies and Meliès spellings, as well as the Méliès variation, are the closest to the original surname, all three with the addition of an accent over the 'e' resulting in a more distinct pronunciation.
The Meless surname is a variation of Melies without the 's' at the end, whilst the Meliés, Mielies, Mieliès and Melliès surnames offer similar variants on the original.
Whilst all of these forms are similar, their variations arise from the original French pronunciation and language. These common forms of the Melies name are mostly geographically located in France, as well as a significant number in Canada, USA, Brazil, England, Wales and Switzerland.
The Melies surname was established in France in the early 18th century where it was used to differentiate between the original branches of the Melies family. In later years, the name was adapted and used as a spelling variation from the original form.
The Melies' name is most associated with Georges Melies whose influence on the development of film as an art form is still significant today. His pioneering contribution to special effects techniques, such as Double Exposure, travelled world-wide and have become a timeless legacy for those who bear the Melies name.
Famous people with the name Melies
- Georges Méliès: French illusionist, filmmaker, and actor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for directing some of the earliest-known feature-length films, many of which incorporated visual effects that were unprecedented at the time.
- Lewis Méliès: French-American motion-picture producer, noted for his pioneering work in the early days of the motion picture industry.
- Adolphe Méliès: French actor, producer and cinematographer, and the brother of Georges Méliès.
- Guy Louis Méliès: French cartoonist, illustrator, and artistic director in the animation and film industry.
- Caroline Méliès: French film actress and costume designer, best known for her roles in several early films by her brother, Georges Méliès.
- Peter Méliès: Swedish actor, musician and writer. He is a grandson of the cinematographer and director Georges Méliès.
- Henri Méliès: French film producer and brother of Georges Méliès.
- Gabrielle Méliès: French actress and was the daughter of Georges Méliès.
- Louise Méliès: French actress and costume designer, best known for her costume designs and acting roles in early films by her brother, Georges.
- Gaston Méliès: French actor, director and producer. He is the son of Georges Méliès.