Surname Lilley - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Ancestral Roots Through iGENEA DNA Test: A Personal Journey Into The Lilley Family History

After undergoing a DNA test at iGENEA, I have not only discovered more about my genetic makeup but have also deepened my comprehension of my surname, Lilley. Using innovative genetic markers and Next Generation Sequencing, iGENEA provided me with a clearer picture of my family history and origins, tracing back to the British Isles predominantly.

B. Lilley

Lilley: What does the surname Lilley mean?

The last name Lilley is of Old English origin and derives from the middle English word "lilie", which means lily. It was used as a nickname or an occupational name for someone who lived near a field of lilies, or who sold the flower. In some cases, it could also have derived as a nickname for a pure and innocent person, a characteristic attributed to the lily flower. The surname first originated in Surrey, England. Variations of the surname include Lilly, Lillie, Liley, and Lely. Like other surnames that began as nicknames or occupational names, Lilley is an example of how everyday words and objects can shape our identities. Please note that the meaning and origin of surnames can vary greatly, and further research may yield different results.

Lilley: Where does the name Lilley come from?

The surname Lilley has English and Irish origins. In England, it is derived from the name of a village named Lilley in counties Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. In this context, 'Lilley' is believed to mean 'liley wood' or 'glade where lilies grow' from Old English words. For the Irish version, Lilley is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Lile, which means ‘descendant of Lile’. ‘Lile’ is a pet form of the female personal name ‘Líle’, which is a derivative of the Latin word ‘Lilia’.

Today, this surname can be found in several English-speaking countries. Particularly, it is most common in England, followed by America, Canada, and Australia. According to the popular genealogical site Forebears, the greatest number of people with the Lilley surname live in the United Kingdom, particularly in England where the name first originated, followed by Australia. The United States also has a significant Lilley population. In terms of density, however, it is most heavily concentrated on the Isle of Man.

Variations of the surname Lilley

The surname Lilley has various spellings and comes from different origins. Some of the different forms of this surname are Lilly, Lillie, Liley, Lolly, and Lolley. In some cases, the surname may be of Irish origin where it is rendered from Ó Laochdha, meaning "descendants of the heroic one", with variations like Lally and Lalley. In others, it may be of English origin where variations include de Lilly, de Lylie, and Lilie.

The name Lilley is also connected to several geographical locations in England, such as Lilley in Hertfordshire and Lilly in Berkshire. This means some people may have taken the name from their local village, town, or parish. For instance, in medieval times, if a man moved from his birthplace to another town or city, he may adopt or be given the name of his birthplace as a means of identification.

Overall, the spelling of the surname could have been influenced by various factors including pronunciation, translation, and regional dialects. Therefore, the surname Lilley is not only a family name but also a part of history that's been shaped by social and cultural contexts.

Famous people with the name Lilley

• Jason Lilley: an Australian Governor-General
• Sarah Lilley: an English actress
• Edward Lilley: an American painter
• Blanche Martha Warford Lilley: a Canadian artist
• John Lilley: an American politician
• John Innes Lilley: a British botanist
• Geoff Lilley: an English footballer
• Richard Lilley: a British boxer
• Minnie Harriet Wood Lilley: an American suffragist
• Joanna Lilley: an American artist
• Jasper Alexander Lilley: an English politician
• Rebecca Lilley: an Australian nature photographer
• Gardner Lloyd Lilley: an American aviation pioneer
• Bruce Lilley: an American football coach
• Sandy Lilley: an Australian cricketer
• Paul Edgar Lilley: a Canadian soldier
• John Wesley Littlefield: an American musician
• Fred Roy Lilley: an American writer
• Larry Lilley: an American judge
• Bruce Wilson Lilley: an American physicist
• Andre Lilley: an American basketball player
• Patricia Lilley: an Irish actress, comedian and writer
• Lee Mary Lilley: an American athlete
• Paula Sue Lilley: an American author and poet

Other surnames

Lillenghast