Billingsly Surname

Introduction

The surname Billingsly is a relatively rare surname, with the highest incidence in the United States. It has also been found in countries such as Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, England, and Saudi Arabia. In this article, we will explore the origins, meaning, and distribution of the surname Billingsly across different regions.

Origins

The surname Billingsly is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Bille," which means "sword" or "blade," combined with the suffix "-ing," indicating "son of." The addition of the suffix "-ly" creates a locational or topographical surname, meaning "from Billingsley," a village in Shropshire, England.

Early Records

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Billingsly dates back to the 12th century in England. The name was originally spelled as "Belingesleia" in the Domesday Book of 1086, referring to the village of Billingsley in Shropshire. Over time, the spelling evolved to its current form, Billingsly.

Meaning

Given its origins, the surname Billingsly can be interpreted as "son of Bille from Billingsley." The name may have been bestowed upon individuals whose ancestors hailed from or held land in the village of Billingsley. Alternatively, it could have been used to denote a familial connection to someone named Bille.

Variant Spellings

Like many surnames, Billingsly has undergone various spellings and variations over the centuries. Some alternative spellings include Billingsley, Billingslea, Billingslye, and Billinsley. These variations may have arisen due to phonetic changes, dialectal influences, or clerical errors in record-keeping.

Distribution

As mentioned earlier, the surname Billingsly is most prevalent in the United States, with a significant incidence of 757 individuals bearing the name. However, it has also been recorded in other countries, albeit in much smaller numbers. In Australia, there are 8 individuals with the surname Billingsly, while Bulgaria, Canada, England, and Saudi Arabia each have 1 individual carrying the name.

United States

The United States has the highest concentration of individuals with the surname Billingsly. The name is most commonly found in states such as Texas, California, and Florida. It is believed that the migration of English settlers to America contributed to the spread of the surname across different regions of the country.

Australia

In Australia, the surname Billingsly is relatively rare, with only 8 individuals bearing the name. The presence of the surname in Australia may be attributed to migration patterns from the United Kingdom, where the name has its origins. The small number of individuals with the surname suggests that it is not widely distributed in the country.

Other Countries

In Bulgaria, Canada, England, and Saudi Arabia, the surname Billingsly is exceptionally rare, with only 1 individual carrying the name in each country. The presence of the surname in these countries may be due to immigration, historical ties to England, or other factors that facilitated the spread of the name beyond its original homeland.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the surname Billingsly has a rich history and interesting distribution across different regions. Its origins in England, as well as its presence in countries such as the United States, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, England, and Saudi Arabia, highlight the diverse and widespread nature of this surname. Further research into the genealogy and ancestry of individuals with the surname Billingsly may shed more light on its significance and variations over time.

The surname Billingsly in the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it can be done to find African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The exact same takes place in the case of Billingsly, which as you are able to corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname that may be found in the majority of the countries of the globe. In the same manner you will find nations in which certainly the thickness of people using the surname Billingsly is more than in other countries.

The map of this Billingsly surname

1. United States (757)
2. Australia (8)
3. Bulgaria (1)
4. Canada (1)
5. England (1)
6. Saudi Arabia (1)