Surname Tullis - Meaning and Origin

Tullis: What does the surname Tullis mean?

The Tullis surname has Scottish and English origins, indicating those who hail from a locale named "Tullis" in former times. Alternatively, it may be derived from an old French term "Tulliers," which was a term for a brick or tile maker. This could suggest that the original bearers of the name were involved in such an occupation. Like most surnames, it was passed down through generations, across different geographical locations. Variations of it include Tullies, Tullyes, and Tulleis. Over centuries, these surnames have had diverse geographical distribution with notable prevalence in Scotland, England, and the United States. The meaning of a surname can reveal interesting information about the history, profession, and location of a family, and the Tullis surname is no exception. It also generally represents ancestral family roots and connections. However, it is worth noting that while surnames can suggest connections, they do not necessarily confirm a genetic link.

Tullis: Where does the name Tullis come from?

Today, the last name Tullis is most commonly found in the United States and in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the highest concentrations are found in Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

In the United Kingdom, the surname Tullis is especially common in Northern Ireland, where it is one of the 100 most common surnames according to surname data from the United Kingdom Census 2011. It is also known to be common in England and Scotland.

Other than the United States and the United Kingdom, the surname can be found in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Germany. The name is also known to appear in countries with ancestral connections to the British Isles, such as India, South Africa, and Ireland.

Within the United States, Tullis has seen a significant jump in popularity since the 1980’s, when it was not nearly as common. According to a survey taken during the 2020 census, it is estimated that over 100,000 individuals are living in the United States with the last name Tullis.

The surname Tullis is thought to be an English and Scottish occupational name that originally referred to a fuller or cloth tucker (a machine used to thicken woolen cloth). The earliest records of the name were found in Yorkshire in 1262. Today, the name is most often found in the Southern United States, as well as the British Isles and other countries with ancestral ties to the British Isles.

Variations of the surname Tullis

Variants of the Tullis surname can include Tillis, Tulles, Tulloss, Tulis, Tullius, and Tullose. Tullis is an Anglo-Saxon name, and was derived from the Old French word for a steep hill; Tulle. Initially, Tullis was a local name for people from Tulle, France, and was then adopted as a surname.

The earliest recorded instance of the Tullis surname in England is found in a document from 1153. This document notes the presence of William Tullys, a Saxon knight. The spelling of the Tullis surname has changed over the centuries, as has the pronunciation. As the Tullis surname spread throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, different regional variations of the name were adopted.

In some areas of Scotland, the surname was spelled Tillis. In Wales, the name was often spelled Tulles. In England, the spelling could vary from Tullose to Tullius.

It’s possible to trace the geographical origin of the Tullis surname by using modern-day maps. Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand all have many families bearing the Tullis surname.

The spelling and pronunciation of the Tullis surname has been adopted in many different cultures. For example, in Swedish, the surname may be spelled Tulles or Tolius; in Italian, it might be spelled Tulisio or Tulise; and in French, it might be spelled Tullys. With such regional diversity and the modern spread of the Tullis surname, it will remain in existence for many generations to come.

Famous people with the name Tullis

• Alan Tullis: former professional soccer player who competed for the U.S. National Soccer Team.
• Roger Tullis: Former Texas politician and civil rights activist.
• Laura Tullis: American model and actress.
• Wayne Tullis: Former Canadian ice hockey player and coach.
• Loretta Tullis: American pioneer and editor who published the first women's newspaper in the Southwest.
• Elizabeth Tullis: American fashion designer and artist.
• John Tullis: American electronic music composer and producer.
• Mary Tullis: American actress and singer.
• Richard Tullis: American mathematician and veteran of the U.S. Navy.
• Sara Tullis: American businesswoman, author, and philanthropist.
• Michael Tullis: Professional poker player and winner of the World Series of Poker Main Event.
• Carrie Tullis: American professional golfer.
• Rickey Tullis: Former NBA player.
• Jennifer Tullis: American attorney and jurist.
• Matthew Tullis: American novelist and playwright.
• Lisa Tullis: American visual artist and illustrator.
• Steven Tullis: Professional rock climber known for his extreme expeditions.
• Colleen Tullis: Actress and voice actor.
• Mike Tullis: American bassist and recording artist.
• Angela Tullis: Australian artist and illustrator.

Other surnames

TüllinghoffTullius