Surname Tolliver - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Journey and Roots of Surname Tolliver With iGENEA's Advanced DNA Test

Taking the journey back in time with iGENEA's DNA test has enabled me to piece together the origin and journey of the Tolliver surname across centuries. Leveraging advanced DNA testing methods, I discovered links to areas in Northern Europe. As a result, the mystery behind the Tolliver surname has evolved into a rich tapestry of ancestral roots and journey.

H. Tolliver

Tolliver: What does the surname Tolliver mean?

The surname Tolliver is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the personal name "Toliver", which itself is thought to have originated from "Toll", an ancient Germanic personal name. Over the years, "Toliver" evolved into "Tolliver." The meanings behind these early names are disputed but one theory suggests that "Toll" might be related to the Middle High German word "tol," meaning "foolish," or "crazy." These personal names were often a form of endearment or had some characteristic trait of the original bearer. Over time, they transformed into surnames - a practice that began in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. So, a direct interpretation may suggest someone fun, unorthodox, or full of life. However, as with many surnames, the meaning of "Tolliver" has become obscured over centuries. Nowadays, it is important to note that the modern meaning of a surname often has very little to do with its original metaphorical sense. The surname is quite uncommon today, with the largest population of Tollivers found in the United States.

Tolliver: Where does the name Tolliver come from?

The last name Tolliver is a fairly common name across the United States, though it is particularly concentrated in the South. It has its origins in England and Wales and is thought to have been brought to America in the 1700s and 1800s by descendants of English and Welsh Tollivers. It is most common now in states like Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Florida. The last name Tolliver is especially popular in the Eastern part of these states, but it is still fairly prominent in the Midwest and other areas as well.

In terms of numbers, according to the 2020 US Census, approximately 51,000 people shared the last name Tolliver, ranking it 1,515th most common in the United States. This is an incredibly modest number considering the United States has over 200 million citizens, but it is still considerable enough to suggest that the name has spread widely across the nation.

The Tolliver surname is associated with many prominent individuals in American history, including prominent literary figures as well as influential politicians. This is thanks in part to prominent people like David Tolliver, the Georgia politician who introduced the state’s first anti-lynching law, and his many descendants. This makes the Tolliver last name an interesting historical marker as well as a common sight today.

Variations of the surname Tolliver

The surname Tolliver is of English origin and can be spelt a few different ways, including Toliver, Tollever, and Toliver. It is also found in Ireland, spelled Tolly, Tally, and Tailor. The name was originally given to one who was from a place called Tolliver or Tollever, which is managed by a toll keeper for a bridge.

In America, the spelling of Tolliver seems to be the most popular and common, with Toliver, Tally, Talliver, Tollever, Toliver, and indeed all variations turning up in the census records at various points.

Variants can occur in different parts of the world as well, such as the Dutch Tolliefer, the Polish Kalwa, and the German Toliver.

One possible origin of the name is from Old Norse, where the word Tollr meant the same as in English, i.e. a toll collector. It may also have developed from a Norman name, of which Tolley and arrange of similar spellings exist.

The surname is also related to varieties such as Toller, Tollestrup, Tolleson, Tollner, Tolland, Tollefsen, as well as many other names which are derived from toll gatherers and collectors.

Therefore, the bottom line is that Tolliver is an English, Dutch, Polish, and German surname, and many other spellings exist, including Toliver, Tollever, Tollefsen, Tally, Talliver, Tolner, Tollestrup, Toller, Tolland, Tailor, and Kalwa.

Famous people with the name Tolliver

• Bobby Tolliver: former NFL cornerback
• Earl "Tollie" Tolliver: painter and professional basketball player
• Tyree Tolliver: former college basketball player
• Lawrence Anthony "Tadd" Tolliver: former professional basketball player
• LaQuinton Tolliver: NFL cornerback
• Terence Tolliver: professional basketball player
• Chris Tolliver: Major League Baseball player
• Elizabeth Tolliver: former fisherwoman and boat builder
• Alvin Tolliver: former professional basketball player
• Terry Tolliver: former professional football player

Other surnames

Tollivar