Surname Silly - Meaning and Origin
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Silly: What does the surname Silly mean?
The last name Silly is of English origin, originating from the Olde English “sele” meaning “happiness”. Silly was given to people considered to be full of joy and cheerfulness. People who were considered “silly” were thought to have a generally high spirits; some even referring to them as “foolish”.
The surname is an example of an appellative name, which is a type of name that derives from a nickname given to a person based on an attribute or personal characteristic. Silly is one such example and other appellative names could include Brown (for a person with brown hair or skin) or White (for someone with light hair or skin).
In modern day, the last name Silly could mean someone that is persistently or unwisely cheerful. It could also connote an individual who is carefree and happy-go-lucky, always looking for the best in a situation and able to observe the beauty and joy in life.
Overall, the last name Silly can be seen as a positive reminder of the beautiful soul that each of us has to offer the world. It serves as a reminder to be happy, to stay grounded, and to be mindful of the joy and life’s beauty that exists within every moment.
Order DNA origin analysisSilly: Where does the name Silly come from?
The last name Silly is most commonly found today in France. It can also be found in Belgium, the United States, and Canada. In France it is one of the most common surnames with an estimated 38,000 people having the last name Silly.
In the United States, the most concentrated area for people with the last name Silly is in Texas with more than 3000 people having the name according to the 2000 U.S. Census. In Canada the name Silly is most common in the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick.
In general, the name Silly is associated with French people and French ancestry. There are also some people in the United States and Canada with the last name Silly who are not of French descent, either descended from immigrants from elsewhere or are Appalachian with the surname spelled Silley.
This surname likely originated from the Latin “siellius,” which is the name of a village in central France. This place name could be linked to a French word for “silly” which is “siliceux.”
The name Silly is believed to be associated with silliness and playfulness. This may be why the last name has become so popular throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Silly
The surname Silly is derived from the French word "sillé", meaning "cheerful" or "pleasant". Variants, spellings, and other surnames of Silly include Sillée, Sillay, Sillé, Silley, Sayle, Sayles, and Seale.
The earliest known record of the Silly surname is an individual named Symone Sillée who was documented in the church records in Caudebec, France in 1564. From France, the surname spread throughout Europe. The Silly name is found in England, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany.
In England, the Silly surname was primarily found in Yorkshire. Variations of the name seen include Silley, Selle, Sayle, Sayles, and Seyle. The earliest record of the Silly surname in England is an individual named William Seyle who was recorded in the Huntington court records in 1236.
In Germany, variants of the Silly surname are found in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. Variants in Germany include Sillay, Sayl, and Seil.
In the United States, the Silly surname is found in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Variations of the name found in the US include Sillie, Silley, Cillie, and Sillay.
The Silly name is also found in Canada, particularly in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Variations of the name found include Sillée, Seale, Silley, Cillie, Cellie, Cely, and Seely.
Overall, the Silly surname is common throughout France, England, Germany, the United States, and Canada. Variants of the name include Sillée, Sillay, Sillé, Silley, Sayle, Sayles, Seale, Selle, Sayl, Seil, Sillie, Cillie, Sillay, Cillie, Cellie, Cely and Seely.
Famous people with the name Silly
- Izzy Silly: Musician and actor, known for the single “Don't Believe”, as well as for his role in the movie “The Survivors”.
- Billy Silly: Pop singer and television personality, best known for hosting the popular music show “Billy's Sing-Along”.
- Sandy Silly: Actress and comedian, best known for her roles on the sitcoms “Cracked” and “Mean Street”.
- June Silly: Television actress, best known for her role as Sandy Olson on CBS's “The Edge of Night”.
- Manny Silly: Actor and musician, most famous for his role as the lead vocalist of the band “The Sillys”.
- Steve Silly: Stand-up comedian, best known for his appearances on the late night talk shows “Conan” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”.
- Kelly Silly: Prolific television actress best known for her roles in critically acclaimed series such as “Law & Order” and “ER”.
- Sandy 'Big Bird' Silly: Singer and original member of the iconic children's music group “The Sesame Street Gang”.
- Lisa Silly: Actress, best known for her roles in the horror films “Nightmare Alley” and “Chill Factor 13”.
- Max Silly: Keytar player, composer and actor, most famous for his featured role in the MTV reality series “Band vs. Brand”.