Surname Ellison - Meaning and Origin

“Mapping the Ellison Heritage: Intriguing Insights from the iGENEA DNA Test”

The iGENEA DNA test promised to deepen my understanding of my family's history, allowing me to peer into the intricate fabric of my Ellison ancestry. Unexpected revelations traced my line far and wide, from Scotland to Scandinavia, and opened not just a new chapter, but an entirely new book to be explored and understood.

W. Ellison

Ellison: What does the surname Ellison mean?

The surname Ellison has English origins and is derived from the Hebrew name Elias, which translates to "Jehovah is God." The suffix “-son” means "son of," making the full meaning of Ellison "son of Elias." Therefore, it is a patronymic surname, a name formed by adding -son to a father's name. The first recorded spelling of the family name is from 1327, during the reign of King Edward III. Over the generations, numerous variations of the spelling of the surname have been recorded. It is widely spread across the British Isles as well as in countries where English surnames are common, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Ellison: Where does the name Ellison come from?

The surname Ellison is of English origin and is derived from a patronymic form of the personal name Ellis. Ellis is a Greek version of the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning "Jehovah is God". Therefore, Ellison generally refers to "Son of Ellis". It first originated in Yorkshire, England during the 14th century, but quickly spread across the region.

Today, the surname Ellison is quite common in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. According to recent data, it is most prevalent in the United States, followed by England. In the United States, the states with higher concentrations of the Ellison surname include South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi. In England, it is commonly found in County Durham. Additionally, the name is also increasingly common in Sweden and Denmark due to the name's significant Scandinavian influence.

Variations of the surname Ellison

The surname Ellison is of English origin and may have some variations or alternative spellings, albeit quite few because it is relatively straightforward. Possible variations could include Ellson, Ellyson, Elyson, Elison, Ellisson, Elisone, Ellisen, or Ellisen.

Ellison primarily refers to 'son of Ellis' and is a patronymic surname. Both Ellis and Ellison are related to the biblical name Elias, which means "Jehovah is God" in Hebrew. Therefore, one may also consider Elias, Eliason, and Eliasson as related surnames.

It's also possible that there are people with the Ellison surname who, over time and through migration or other factors, have changed the spelling slightly to adapt to new languages, cultures, or simply typing errors. However, these variations would likely be unique to individual families.

Certain variations can happen due to phonetic spellings occurring in handwritten records of birth, marriage and death certificates, hence there can be wide variations in the spelling of the same original surname. Therefore, when researching genealogy, it's important to consider all possible variations of the Ellison surname.

So, while Ellison and its direct variations may not be exceedingly common, the name has roots and relations that span across cultures and centuries, making it quite a fascinating family surname.

Famous people with the name Ellison

• Larry Ellison: An American business magnate and co-founder of Oracle Corporation. He was listed by Forbes as the 8th-wealthiest person in the United States in 2020.
• Harlan Ellison: An award-winning American writer, particularly known for his science fiction.
• Lillian Ellison: Known by her ring-name "The Fabulous Moolah," she was a professional wrestler and the first Woman's Champion recognized by the WWE.
• Larry S. Ellison: A Canadian actor known for his roles in various movies and TV shows.
• James Ellison: A British professional motorcycle racer who competed in the British Superbike Championship.
• Jennifer Ellison: An English actress, former glamour model, television personality, dancer and singer, known for her role in the British soap opera "Brookside".
• Ralph Ellison: An American novelist and literary critic, most known for his novel "Invisible Man".
• Keith Ellison: American politician and the Attorney General of Minnesota. He was the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress.
• Megan Ellison: An American film producer and daughter of Larry Ellison, she founded Annapurna Pictures.
• Scott Ellison: An American Blues guitarist and songwriter.
• Jerome Ellison Murphy: An American actor known for roles in "13 Reasons Why" and "Snowfall".

Other surnames

EllisEllisseElliston