Surname Litle - Meaning and Origin

Litle: What does the surname Litle mean?

The surname Litle is of English origin and is said to have originated from a nickname denoting someone who is small, or shorter than average. This nickname was later used as a surname. It is derived from the Old English term "lytel," which literally translates to "little" or "small". Over time, the spelling of the surname has changed and variations include Little, Lytle, Littel, and Litle. It's also possible that this surname was used for the younger of two bearers of the same personal name. As with many surnames that originated from nicknames, it is important to note that these names didn't necessarily refer to the physical characteristics of their original bearers but might have been ironic or affectionate names that stuck and got passed down through generations.

Litle: Where does the name Litle come from?

The surname Litle is believed to have originated from Northern England or Southern Scotland, from the Old English word "lytel," meaning "small". It was often used as a nickname for a small person or someone younger - used to distinguish father and son who shared the same name. Variations of this surname include Little, Lytle, Littel, and more. This surname made its way to America with European settlers in the 17th century, particularly with Scottish immigrants. Today, the surname Litle, in its various forms, is found most commonly in the United States, particularly in California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In England, it is most commonly found in Northumberland, where the family was historically seated. Please note that the distribution of a surname doesn't always reflect its origin, as people have migrated throughout history and surnames can change their form.

Variations of the surname Litle

The surname Litle could possibly have variations in its spelling due to transliteration from different languages, dialectic variations, or even simple recording errors over the centuries. Possible variations or similar surnames might include Little, Lytle, Littel, Littell, Litel, Lite, Lytell, Letyll, Lytel, Litol, Littrell, Litrell, Littler, Litter, Littles, Litton, and Lytton. Some of these variants might not be directly related but can be connected due to spelling similarity.

The surname originated from Scotland and Northern England, from the Middle English term "lytel," which means "small" or "short." It could have been used as a nickname for someone of short stature or as a distinguishing epithet for the younger of two individuals with the same first name. Most of the variants and spellings of Litle maintain this meaning. The surnames Litton and Lytton may originate from place names, pointing to geographical origins rather than nicknames or descriptive terms.

As with all genealogical research, to establish a family connection or lineage, it's recommended to go beyond name similarities and consult primary historical records or DNA comparisons.

Famous people with the name Litle

• Anders Litle: Norwegian singer and songwriter
• Kalle Litle: Norwegian sprint canoer
• Thea Litle: Norwegian figure skater
• Lene Litle: Norwegian ice hockey player
• Niklas Litle: Norwegian skier
• Øystein Litle: Norwegian Nordic combined athlete
• Siv Litle: Norwegian singer
• Thomas Litle: Romanian TV show host
• Heine Litle: Norwegian musician
• Petter Litle: Norwegian cross-country skier
• Elisabeth Litle: Norwegian long-distance runner
• Marius Litle: Norwegian handball player
• Marianne Litle: Norwegian soccer player
• Vegard Litle: Norwegian football midfielder
• Charlotte Litle: Danish-American actress
• Audrey Litle: American film and theater actress
• YoungPete Litle: American rapper and producer
• Cameron Litle: American football quarterback
• Thomas Litle Jr.: American author and business consultant
• Pete Litle: Former Canadian-American basketball player

Other surnames

Litley