Surname Elliott - Meaning and Origin

The Unexpected Icelandic & Viking Lineage: A Surprising discovery in My Elliott Ancestry

Venturing into the past through my DNA test, I discovered unexpected lineage in my Elliott surname. Contrary to the strictly Scottish-English ancestry I had assumed, the iGENEA DNA test revealed a significant percentage of my DNA as Icelandic, unveiling a Viking connection that brings a whole new perspective to the Elliott ancestry.

V. Elliott

Elliott: What does the surname Elliott mean?

The last name Elliott is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the biblical name Elias, which is a Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah. Its roots trace back to the name “Eligius” meaning "God is Jehovah" in Hebrew. It became a popular name with the spread of Christianity, often given to children born from a family seeking God's protection. In the middle ages, it further evolved into various forms such as Elliot, Eliot, Elliott, among others. The surname had different regional forms across England, Scotland, and Ireland, and was even taken by families in France. Therefore, the last name does not denote one homogenous group of people but instead various unrelated groups who adopted or were given the name Elliott throughout history. It is now common in many English-speaking countries. The Elliotts of the Scottish borders were particularly famous as a reiver family. Notable people with this surname include poet T. S. Eliot and actress Denholm Elliott.

Elliott: Where does the name Elliott come from?

The last name Elliott is of English and Scottish origin. Its roots can be traced back to the Middle Ages, originating from a medieval personal name, "Elis" or "Elias", which in turn came from the Biblical name "Elijah". Over the centuries, the name underwent various spellings alterations influenced by regional dialects creating versions like Elliot, Eliot, and Elliott.

The Elliotts were known as a border clan residing in the Scottish-English border region during the 13th to 16th centuries. Post the Anglo-Scottish Wars, many Elliott clan members migrated to Ireland and other parts of the British empire, expanding the geographical distribution of this surname.

Today, the surname is common in English-speaking countries. It is particularly prevalent in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. According to recent census data, Elliott is an especially common surname in Northern Ireland due to the historical migrations. The Elliotts are also prevalent in Scotland, primarily in the regions of Roxburghshire and Liddesdale, their traditional clan lands.

Variations of the surname Elliott

The surname Elliott is of English and Scottish origin and is derived from an Old English personal name, Ælfweald, composed of the elements ælf "elf" and weald "ruler". Over the years, it has evolved and branched into various spellings and variants, reflecting on differing regional accents and spelling practices.

Some commonly accepted spellings and variants include: Eliot, Elliot, Elliott, Eliott, Elyot, and Ellott. Less common spellings of the surname may include Ellett, Elloit, and Ellot. Each version retains a similar pronunciation with slight regional inflections.

Elliott, being a patronymic surname, has also been adopted as a given name in English-speaking countries, both for boys and girls.

In terms of similar surnames of the same origin, there may be: Aelfwald, Alliet, Elyatt, Elwald, Elwold, Elwaldt among others. It's important to note that these surnames may be less common and not as widely recognized as the prominent Elliott variants.

Many of these variants might have emerged due to emigration over centuries where names were often spelled phonetically in the immigration records. Variations in spelling can often provide valuable clues to the origin and evolution of the surname.

Famous people with the name Elliott

• Chris Elliott: American actor and comedian known for his comedic sketches on Late Night with David Letterman.
• Missy Elliott: Grammy-winning American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer.
• Denholm Elliott: Renowned late British actor, known for his roles in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "A Room with a View".
• Abby Elliott: American actress and comedian, famous for her four seasons on Saturday Night Live.
• Bob Elliott: Late American comedian, father to Chris Elliott.
• Sam Elliott: American actor known for his deep voice and Western roles.
• Chase Elliott: American professional stock car racing driver.
• Biff Elliot: Late American actor, best known for his role in "I, the Jury".
• Wild Bill Elliott: Late American film actor, famous for his many roles in Western films.
• Patricia Elliott: Late American actress, known for her role on the soap opera "One Life to Live".
• Josh Elliott: American television journalist.
• Jane Elliot: American actress, known for her role in the soap opera "General Hospital".
• Ross Elliott: Late American television and film character actor.
• Herbert Elliott: Former Australian middle-distance runner.
• Dionne Elliott: British former professional tennis player.
• Richard Elliott: American organist.

Other surnames

Elliot