Surname Ellis - Meaning and Origin

Evolving Understanding of My Surname 'Ellis': From Anglo-Saxon Roots to American Lands through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Upon embarking on a genealogical exploration with iGENEA DNA analysis, one stands at the juncture of modern science and history. My journey revealed the origin of my surname 'Ellis' in the Anglo-Saxon era, its significant religious connotations, and mapped the brave migrations of my Ellis ancestors.

R. Ellis

Ellis: What does the surname Ellis mean?

The surname Ellis primarily has two origins. Firstly, it is derived from the medieval personal name Elis, an Old French form of Elijah, which is a biblical name meaning 'Jehovah is God' in Hebrew.

Secondly, Ellis is also a Welsh surname. In this context, it derives from 'Elisedd', a personal name meaning 'kind' or 'benevolent' in Old Welsh. It is not uncommon for Welsh surnames to derive from personal names, as the tradition in Wales was to use a father's given name as his children's surname. Therefore, the surname Ellis in a Welsh context would historically mean 'son of Elisedd'. The name was popular among the Welsh who migrated to England and then to North America, often undergoing anglicization or simplification in the process to versions such as Ellis.

In either case, Ellis became a common familial name across England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, and was subsequently spread throughout the English-speaking world during periods of colonization and emigration. Today, Ellis is a common surname in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Ellis: Where does the name Ellis come from?

The last name Ellis is of Welsh origin. It was derived from the personal name "Elisedd," which means "kindly" or "benevolent." The name was common in the Middle Ages and often transformed into "Ellis" in English manuscripts. The first recorded spelling of the name appears in the Wiltshire Hundred Rolls of 1273 as "Elis de Trublevill," referring to Ellis of Troublesville.

The Ellis surname also has Greek origin, taken from the New Testament Greek name "Elias," the form used in the Greek text of the Hebrew name "Elijah."

In the modern world, it is common in English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. According to Forebears.io, as of 2014, the largest number of people with the Ellis surname were found in the United States, followed by England and Australia. These places still retain a significant number of people with the surname Ellis today.

Variations of the surname Ellis

The surname Ellis primarily originates from England and Wales. Variants and similar spellings of Ellis sometimes occur due to a transliteration from a different alphabet or just a typo during record transcription. These include Eilis, Eleis, Helis, Elliss, Elles, Ellies, Ells, Eles, Elys, Elis, Elice, and Ellice. Sometimes the name can also be a matronymic, derived from the female personal name Ellis, a medieval English vernacular form of Elijah.

Ellis can also be a Jewish surname of multiple origins including Ellis as an Anglicization of the Hebrew biblical name Elias or Eliyahu. Surnames that may be variants because of this include Els, Elus, Elish, Eliash, Eliasi, Elisis, and Eliis.

It's important to note that variations might have occurred due to local dialects, the literacy level of the person registering the name, and the personal preference of the individual. There are also some other surnames, like Ellison, that while similar, are not necessarily variants of Ellis but may be mistaken as such.

Famous people with the name Ellis

• Tom Ellis: British actor known for his roles in "Lucifer" and "Miranda".
• Tracee Ellis Ross: Actress famous for roles in "Girlfriends" and "Black-ish", also daughter of singer Diana Ross.
• Bret Easton Ellis: American author recognized for his novels, including “American Psycho”.
• Ruth Ellis: The last woman to be hanged in the UK.
• Dock Ellis: Former Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Perry Ellis: Famous American fashion designer.
• Tinsley Ellis: American blues and rock musician.
• Herb Ellis: Legendary jazz guitarist.
• Robert Ellis: Country music singer-songwriter.
• Alton Ellis: Jamaican singer-songwriter, one of the innovators of rocksteady music.
• Havelock Ellis: British physician, writer, and social reformer known for his studies on human sexuality.
• Aunjanue Ellis: Actress known for "Quantico" and "The Help".
• Samantha Ellis: British playwright and journalist.
• Ellis Paul: American singer-songwriter and folk musician.
• Jimmy Ellis: Heavyweight boxing champion.
• Patricia Ellis: 1930s American film actress.
• Anita Ellis: Canadian-American singer and actress.

Other surnames

EllieEllifeElligoodEllingwoodEllinwoodElliotElliottEllisonEllisseElliston