The surname Lillie is of English and Scottish origin, derived from the medieval female given name "Lily" or "Lillie." The name itself is a diminutive form of the flower name "lily," which has long been a symbol of purity and virtue. It was common in the Middle Ages for personal names to be derived from nature, and the popularity of floral names like Lily or Rose reflected the importance of the natural world in people's lives.
The surname Lillie first appears in written records in England and Scotland in the 13th and 14th centuries. One of the earliest instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which list a William Lillie in Oxfordshire. In Scotland, the name appears in the 1296 Ragman Rolls, with a reference to a Johan Lillie in Berwickshire.
According to data from various countries, the surname Lillie is most commonly found in the United States, with an incidence of 5625. This is followed by England (1027), Canada (512), Australia (375), and Denmark (278). In Scotland, the incidence of the surname is 191, while in South Africa it is 149. The surname is less common in countries like France, Italy, Mexico, and China, where the incidence is only 1 or 2.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Lillie. One such figure is Lillie Langtry, a famous British actress and socialite who was known for her beauty and charm in the late 19th century. Another prominent Lillie is Lily Labeau, an American adult film actress who gained recognition in the industry for her performances.
Like many surnames, the name Lillie has undergone various spellings and adaptations over the centuries. Some common variant spellings include Lilly, Liley, and Lill. These changes in spelling can often be attributed to the phonetic nature of language and the differing dialects and accents of different regions.
Today, the surname Lillie continues to be found in various countries around the world, with a significant presence in English-speaking nations. In the United States, the name remains popular, particularly in states with large populations like California, Texas, and New York. In the United Kingdom, the surname is most common in England and Scotland, reflecting its historical origins in those regions.
Given its origins as a diminutive form of the name Lily, the surname Lillie is associated with the qualities of the flower itself. The lily has long been a symbol of purity, beauty, and innocence, and these attributes may have been conferred upon individuals bearing the surname. In many cultures, the lily is also seen as a symbol of renewal and rebirth, suggesting that those with the surname Lillie may have a connection to themes of growth and transformation.
The surname Lillie has a rich history and a wide distribution around the world, with a strong presence in English-speaking countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. The name is associated with the qualities of the lily flower, symbolizing purity and beauty. Throughout history, there have been notable individuals with the surname Lillie, indicating the enduring significance of this name.
Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is possible to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Equivalent happens in the case of Lillie, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said that it's a surname that may be found in the majority of the countries of this globe. Just as you will find nations in which certainly the thickness of people using the surname Lillie is greater than in other countries.
The chance of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Lillie in the world, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves regarding the map, for a tangible country, we are able to understand tangible number of individuals with all the surname Lillie, to acquire in this way the particular information of all the Lillie that one may presently find in that country. All this also assists us to know not only in which the surname Lillie originates from, but also in what way the folks that are initially an element of the family that bears the surname Lillie have moved and moved. In the same way, you are able to see by which places they will have settled and developed, which is the reason why if Lillie is our surname, it seems interesting to which other countries associated with world it's possible any particular one of our ancestors once relocated to.