Surname Mellis - Meaning and Origin
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Mellis: What does the surname Mellis mean?
The last name Mellis is of English (Norman) origin. It was derived from the French “Mareschal,” which is derived from the Old French “maistre,” meaning “master” or “lord” or “leader.” In England there was a family of Mareschall or Marshalls that had their origins in Normandy in the 11th century, and as they migrated to England in subsequent centuries, they adopted the name Mellis, a variation of Mareschal or Marshall.
The Mellis family name was associated with the Norman undesirable classes throughout the Middle Ages and the early modern period. In England, these people would have been regarded as rogues, vagabonds, and common criminals. It is possible that some members of the Mellis family adopted the name to give a less disreputable impression as they moved into the upper classes.
The name Mellis is often thought to mean “a peaceful one” or “mellow,” this is thought to be derived from the Old English “melu,” which means “to mellow.” However, due to the Norman association with the family, it is more likely that it was derived from the Old French “mareschal.” In any case, it means “master” or “leader.”
Today the name Mellis is quite common throughout England and other parts of the world. People with the last name Mellis can be found on every continent. Many of the Mellis family in England are proud of their heritage and can trace their ancestry to the Norman Mareschall family.
Order DNA origin analysisMellis: Where does the name Mellis come from?
The last name Mellis is a common surname found throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and other parts of the world.
In the United Kingdom, Mellis is most common in England, particularly in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, near the East Anglian coast. However, this name is also seen in the Midlands, Northumberland, and Scotland. In Ireland, the surname is mainly seen in the counties of Donegal and Mayo.
In the United States, the most notable concentrations of Mellis surname owners are in the Midwest. More precisely, the states that are home to the largest numbers of Mellis are Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Other states where the surname has seen some growth include North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Michigan.
Outside of the United Kingdom and the United States, a significant number of Mellis are found in the countries of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. But the surname is not only limited to English-speaking countries, as it can also be found in parts of continental Europe, including Austria, Hungary, and France.
Overall, the surname of Mellis has experienced a great deal of growth since its first recorded use in the mid-1200s. Today, this popular name can be found in many parts of the world, though it remains most prevalent in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Variations of the surname Mellis
Mellis is an anglicized spelling of the Gaelic surname MacMhaoils, which originates from the Irish/Scottish Lowlands. Variants and spellings for MacMhaois include MacMail, MacMeil, MacMeal, MacMhyll, MacMhoyl and MacMhoyle, MacMael, MacMillan, MacMillen, MacMyll, MacMylles, MacMyle and MacMylle.
Historically, the Gaelic form of the surname was associated with the MacDonald clan of the Western Isles of Scotland, and with the title MacMhaois of Galloway (or Clanship of Galloway in the past). Members of the clan were known for their brassiness, strength and courage in battle. They would often fight in Highland clans, such as the MacDonalds of Clanranald and Glencoe, to prove their loyalty.
The surname Mellis is also found, albeit in much smaller numbers, in Norway and Sweden, where it originated from the Danish form: "Mæløs". In this form, the surname is often found as "Meløys" and/or "Mellis".
Variants of the surname Mellis, which include spellings such as Mills, Melles, Millis, Mells and Mels, can be found around Europe in countries such as England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain and Italy.
In the United States, the surname has also been Americanized into the spellings Mellis, Mells and Mills. This is likely due to the large number of European immigrants who made America their home in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Famous people with the name Mellis
- Michaela Mellis: actress, director, and producer
- Stuart Mellis: Australian football coach
- Sam Mellish: professional soccer midfielder
- Tony Mellis: former professional tennis player
- Sarah Mellis: American author
- Tomás Mellis: Argentinian film editor and screenwriter
- Naomi Mellis: Danish figure skater
- Jørgen Mellis: Norwegian financial consultant
- Miguel Mellis: Uruguayan storyboard artist
- Karl Mellis: German footballer
- Martin Mellis: Scottish tennis player
- Trine Mellis: Danish professional golfer
- Simon Mellis: British musician and producer
- Suzy Mellis: French actress
- Dara Mellis: American journalist
- Uschi Mellis: German artist
- Richard Mellis: British academic
- Lori Mellis: American swimmer
- Bjørn Mellis: Norwegian alpine skier
- Douglas Mellis: English actor