Surname Selph - Meaning and Origin
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Selph: What does the surname Selph mean?
The surname Selph is of English origin, derived from the Old English pre 7th Century "sylf," which means "self," and initially it was used as a nickname for a self-centered or selfish person. While the name has retained its spelling in modern times, its original meaning has evolved over centuries. Surnames like Selph were developed in medieval England to distinguish individuals for taxation purposes. Over time, these surnames became hereditary and started to be used by successive generations. It's important to note that individuals bearing the Selph surname can have variant spellings including Self, Selve, and Selves. There may not be one universally accepted meaning or origin of the Selph surname, as the evolution of surnames is a complex process influenced by local languages, dialects, and societal structures.
Order DNA origin analysisSelph: Where does the name Selph come from?
The surname Selph is believed to have originated primarily in the United Kingdom, although it can also be found in the United States. In the UK, the most common areas are in the North East, from where the name most likely originated. Specifically, this appears to be from Northumberland, and parts of Durham and Yorkshire. The name Selph, is thought to have differences in spelling, the most notable of which are Selfe and Elfe.
In the United States, Selph can be found in several states, particularly the Southern States. The most common states for the surname are Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi.
The Selph surname is considered to be a rare one, especially compared to other surnames in the UK and US. Over the last 100 years, the name has primarily stayed in the same areas as identified above. However, the numbers of Selph families have slightly decreased over the last century due to migration, marriage or death.
Due to the rare nature of the surname, today the majority of the Selph families can be found in the United Kingdom, with some residing in the United States. Most of these families can trace their ancestry back to the original North Eastern region of England, where the Selph surname first developed.
Variations of the surname Selph
The surname Selph is of French origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Selph is a spelling variation of SELLE, which is the French word for saddle or leather seat. Selph is also a variant of the French surname SOULPHE,which derived from the Old French word “soule”, which means “sole”. Other related surnames include SELP, SELFS, SELFF, SOULPEE, and SELFE. Another variant of the surname is SELLIFF, which has its origins in the Old English words “sell” and “leof”.
The French-based surnames tend to be spelled SELPH or SELP, while the English-based names are spelled SELFE, SELFF, or SELFS. Some other variations of the name include SELLIFFE, SELLIV, SELV, SELVY, SELVEY, and SELEVY.
The Selph surname is widely spread and found in various parts of the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Ireland, and Australia.
In the United States Selphs is the 11,089th most common surname with approximately 1,656 holders of the name. In France, the name is found in Normandy where it originated, Paris, and parts of the Atlantic. In the United Kingdom, the most common spelling is Self.
Given its wide dispersal, there are many spellings and genealogies of the surname Selph, making it easy to find the correct variant for your family.
Famous people with the name Selph
- Richard Selph: He is an American restaurateur and former two-term mayor of Middleburg, Virginia.
- Jacob Selph: He is an American professional baseball catcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Katie Selph: She is an American Catholic writer and pro-life advocate.
- Linda Selph: She is an American playwright, screenwriter, actor and professor, most notable for her work in television.
- Zach Selph: He is an American politician and the former mayor of Medford, Oregon.
- Christopher Selph: He is an American film and television actor.
- Keith Selph: He is an American jazz musician and composer.
- Julie Selph: She is an American poet, playwright, and singer.
- Jessica Selph: She is an American contemporary artist living and working in the Atlanta, Georgia area.
- Zachary Selph: He is an American professional basketball players for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).