Surname Traylor - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Family Secrets: An iGENEA DNA Test Unveils The Fascinating Legacy of the Traylor Surname

A simple iGENEA DNA test gave me a peek into my ancestry. I had never thought that my surname, Traylor, could have such a rich story behind it. Intriguing, surprising, and absolutely unexpected, this journey has been an illuminating - and exciting - one.

C. Traylor

Traylor: What does the surname Traylor mean?

The surname Traylor is of English origin and is derived from the Middle English term "trel," which means a type of machine or device. Traylor was commonly used as an occupational surname for someone who built or operated a treadwheel used in agriculture, or a treadmill used by a person or animal to drive machinery. The name often referred to someone who utilized these devices for grinding grain, pumping water, or similar industries. It’s pertinent to note that the spelling of surnames evolved over time and Traylor may have variations like Treler, Traler, and others. So the Traylor surname reflects a lineage of hard-working individuals skilled in operating or creating crucial machinery, which was a vital part of medieval English communities.

Traylor: Where does the name Traylor come from?

The name Traylor is most commonly found today in the south eastern United States. States like Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi appear to have the highest concentration of people with this name. Data from the United States Census Bureau suggests that in 2019, the top five states where the name Traylor was the most common included Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

In Alabama, the name Traylor is particularly prominent in the counties of Coosa, Elmore, and Montgomery, where it is the 8th, 10th and 17th most common last name respectively. In Georgia, it is predominantly found in the counties of DeKalb, Walton, and Newton where it ranks as the 5th, 9th, and 10th most common last name, respectively. The same trend is also common in Mississippi, where the counties of Desoto, Hinds, and Harrison have the highest number of people with this surname.

In all three of these states, Traylor has been present for a large majority of their history. Records from the early 1800s show that, while the numbers may have changed slightly, Traylor has been a family name that has withstood the test of time. Consequently, Traylor is still very common in the southeastern United States today.

Variations of the surname Traylor

Traylor is a surname of British and French origins. In both countries, its spelling variants and other surnames derived from it have become common.

In Britain, variant spellings of Traylor include Traillor, Trayler, Treiler, and Trylor. In some regions, Traylor has become a nickname for the surname Taylor due to the similar pronunciation. Other British surnames that could be related to Traylor include Trol, Trill, and Trail.

In France, Traylor can be spelled Trayeur, Treilleur, Treilleux, Trielle, and Triellet. Alternatively, it may have derived from the French word for miller, indeed; in this case, surnames such as Meunier and Milleron might also be considered related.

It should also be noted that Traylor can also be a variant of the Irish surname Tralor, which is derived from the Gaelic Ó Treabhair, meaning "descendant of the leavings". This could open up the possibilities of a wider range of surnames for those of Irish origin.

In summary, the main spelling variants and surnames related to Traylor can be summarised as follows:

British: Traillor, Trayler, Treiler, Trylor (as well as Taylor, Trol, Trill, Trail)

French: Trayeur, Treilleur, Treilleux, Trielle, Triellet (as well as Meunier, Milleron)

Irish: Tralor (and Ó Treabhair)

Famous people with the name Traylor

• Kimberly Traylor: American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California.
• Kellsie Traylor: American professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association.
• Deon Traylor: Professional American football player who was drafted in the sixth round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
• Cass Traylor: American country music artist, whose musical career began in the 1990s.
• William Traylor: American sculptor who has been making metal figurative and abstract sculpture since the 1970s.
• Eden Traylor: American performer from Seattle, Washington, who is best known for her roles on television and film.
• Garon Traylor: Former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and the Seattle Seahawks.
• Tyree Traylor: Former American football defensive tackle and linebacker who played in the NFL from 1986 to 1996 for several teams.
• Robert Traylor: Former American professional basketball player who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft.
• Katrina Traylor: American television and film producer, known for her work on the 2013 documentary film "Ain't In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm".

Other surnames

Trayler

Comments or additions to the name "Traylor"

09.01.2024
Looking for the Traylor in Chester S.C.