Surname Silas - Meaning and Origin

Reframing Identity and Surname Significance Through an iGENEA DNA Test

Unlocking personal history with an iGENEA DNA test turned out to be an enlightening experience, inducing a profound effect on my respect and perception of my surname, Silas, and my family's identity. The knowledge gained has allowed me to grasp the expanse and the influence of my roots in a broader historical and cultural context.

L. Silas

Silas: What does the surname Silas mean?

The origin of the last name Silas is from the Hebrew name Shalom, which means "peace." Silas is a common name both in the Jewish and the Christian cultures. In the Bible, Silas is a companion of Paul on his journey, and his name was changed from Saul.

Silas has a variety of meanings and is a popular choice for a baby name. It can have different meanings such as “peaceful”, “God is my oath”, “God is my judge”, or “God's revenge”. In Christianity, Silas symbolizes faithfulness, loyalty, and obedience, particularly in following God’s will.

Silas is also historically significant in many other cultures and beliefs such as Buddhism, Wicca, and Hinduism. As an ancient name, it has been around for centuries and continues to be a popular choice for a baby name across many cultures.

Overall, the simple but strong name Silas is a meaningful name with a long and interesting history. It has many different interpretations and carries weight in different cultures and beliefs, proving its versatility and relevance. It is the perfect choice for a baby name for those looking to bestow an unwavering sense of peace, faith, and loyalty.

Silas: Where does the name Silas come from?

The last name Silas is an ancient British surname, and is still present in Britain today. Records have shown it to be most common in the south-west of England, with its highest concentrations in Devon and Cornwall.

The origin story of the name Silas is unclear, but it is thought to have derived from the Old French seigneurial title "de Sylais," as well as the Latin personal name Silas, which was popular among early Christians.

It is also a common surname in the United States, particularly in the Southern Comfort States. Records show its presence in the states of Tennessee, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. In the 2000 U.S. Census, Silas was the 599th most common surname in America.

Silas is also a widely known surname in Canada, where it ranks 829th in terms of the population. Many Canadian Silases are found in the Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, with the largest concentration of Silases residing in Nova Scotia.

The last name Silas is also observed in some other parts of the world, mostly in certain areas of the Caribbean. The most notable example is St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where Silas is the 20th most common surname. Other places where Silas is relatively popular include the Falkland Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Scotland.

Today, Silas is a surname with a wide geographical distribution. It is particularly popular in the British Isles, the United States, Canada, and certain parts of the Caribbean.

Variations of the surname Silas

The surname Silas has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The most common forms of the surname are Silva, Silvas, Silveira, Silvério, and Silviera. These variations primarily originate from the Portuguese, Galician, and Catalan languages.

The surname Silva may be derived from the Latin word silva, meaning forest, or more specifically, a wooded glen; Silva could also have been derived from SILVANVS, a Roman family name.

Silvas is a derivative form of Silva, derived from the Portuguese language.

Silveira, a variation originating from Galicia, is derived from the Galician word silveira, meaning grove, or a small wood.

Silvério and Silviera are derived from the Portuguese word silves, meaning a copse or, as with Silva, a forest.

The surname Silas is seldom encountered outside the United States, but it is likely a form of the Portuguese Silva, primarily used as a first name.

In the United States, the surname Silas may have derived from a combination of Silva and the common surname Ellis, therefore meaning "son of Ellis from the forest". It could also be derived from a combination of the surnames Silva and Miles, meaning "son of Miles from the forest".

In addition to the above, there are other variants of the surname Silas such as Silaso, Silasz, Silaschek, Silaschevsky, and Silaski. However, these are less common variations.

Famous people with the name Silas

• Naviyd Ely Raymond: American child actor and singer best known for appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Lifetime's You's spin-off show, Dream Star.
• Frank Silas: American actor and comedian who has appeared in numerous films and television shows, such as The Hills Have Eyes (2005) and Alvin and the Chipmunks.
• Kayleigh Silas: Daughter of actress and author, Marlee Matlin.
• Kim Silas: Singer-songwriter and producer from Canada, known for her soulful, folk-rock style.
• Dennis Silas: American actor and stuntman, who starred in hit movies such as Get Shorty, Dante's Inferno and The Terminator.
• Phil Silas: Musician and affectionately called "The Bassman from the Bay" for making unforgettable riffs and taking bass playing to a whole new level.
• Fanny Silas: French athlete, who competed in the 100 meters, 200 meter, and 400 meter sprints at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
• Alphonse Silas: French football player who spent his entire career playing for French Ligue 1 teams, mainly Olympique de Marseille.
• Andres Silas: Cuban professional boxer, best known for competing for the WBA Latin light middleweight title and the WBA Fedelatin middleweight title.
• Judah Silas: American actor, best known for roles in the films Step Up and Zoom.

Other surnames

Silar