Surname Tuttle - Meaning and Origin
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Tuttle: What does the surname Tuttle mean?
The surname Tuttle originates from the medieval personal name "Theodoric," which is of Germanic origin. It is comprised of two elements: "theud", meaning people or race, and "ric", meaning power. Hence, the name essentially signifies "people power". The name "Theodoric" was popular among several Germanic tribes, such as the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and Vandals. During the Anglo-Saxon period, it was introduced to England by the Normans and consequently transformed into a number of different versions, including Dietrich, Thierry, Derek, and Tuttle. The name Tuttle can also be traced back to Teutel, a diminutive form of the Old French personal name "Tout." Some bearers of the surname Tuttle may have derived it from a nickname associated with the native English term "tout," meaning "look out," often used for a person on watch. Alternatively, it may have acted as an occupational name for a messenger or scout. Therefore, the last name Tuttle has a multifaceted history and can signify "people power," "watchman," or "messenger".
Order DNA origin analysisTuttle: Where does the name Tuttle come from?
The last name Tuttle is common throughout the United States today. It has roots in Old English, and is one of the earliest surnames in British Isles records. It is frequently found in colonial associative documents, such as court records, wills, deeds, and other colonial records. Variations of the name Tuttle, including Tootle, Tuthill, and Tuttel, can be found in records throughout New England.
The Tuttle surname is especially concentrated in the northeast today, with New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire having some of the highest populations of Tuttle's in the United States. Colorado and Montana also show substantial numbers of people with the last name Tuttle. In addition, the surname is found in nearly all fifty states, with descendants of earlier Tuttle's having moved to other parts of the country.
Tuttle is also found in other parts of the world, with some people bearing the name coming from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Genealogists have taken note of the fact that the name Tuttle is also found in German records, and are searching for a connection between those surnames and the Tuttle name seen in other parts of the world.
The Tuttle name continues to be widespread in the United States and around the world, with many people living today descending from those original settlers from the British Isles.
Variations of the surname Tuttle
The surname Tuttle is widespread, with variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin found across the world. Some of the most common variants are Tuttel, Tottle, Tuthill, Tuthal, Tuthill, Tutill, and Tutela.
Variants of the surname can also be found in countries around the world. In France, it is spelled Tuitel, Tuitelier, Tutel, Tutelle, and Tutour. In Germany, it is spelled Tuttel or Tottel. In Scotland, it is spelled Tullie, Tulley, and Tulloch. In England, it is spelled Tutill and Tuthill. In Ireland, it is spelled Tootel and Tootle.
Other names of the same origin include Hemmell, Hail, Hayle, partly derived from the Latin word “haimo” which means “home”. In Scotland, the names Bowles, Bowel, and Bowell are all derived from the names Bochel, Boccale, and Boccail which are all derived from the same origin.
In Russia, the surname Tuttle is still in use today. The Russian spelling is “Tutl”, and the surname can also be found in spelling variants in Belarus, Ukraine, and Latvia.
In the United States, the surname Tuttle is among the country’s most common. Variants are also to be found in spelling variants, such as Tuttel, Tothill, Thutal, Tuetla, and Tutail. In addition, there are several other family names derived from the same origin, such as Turkle, Trowell, Twitchell, and Trimble.
Overall, the Tuttle surname has travelled throughout the world, with variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin emerging in many different cultures.
Famous people with the name Tuttle
- Billy Tuttle: American actor, known for his roles in Hollywood films and television shows like The West Wing, Charlie’s Angels and Happy Endings.
- Dan Tuttle: Olympic athlete, won a Bronze medal in freestyle swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Paul Tuttle: American fashion designer who worked mainly in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s, known for his use of vibrant colors and intricate designs.
- Nick Tuttle: Lead singer of the punk/alternative rock band Glassjaw.
- Jacob Tuttle: American artist and sculptor, known for his paintings and sculptures in bronze and steel.
- Rebecca Tuttle: American voice actress, most known for her roles in the animated series Adventure Time and The Boondocks.
- Elizabeth Tuttle: American soldier from the Revolutionary War, known for her bravery in fighting against the British.
- Sarah Tuttle: Member of the Teutonic Knights, known for leading her troops in the fight against Saladin’s forces in the Third Crusade.
- Robert Tuttle: American businessman and philanthropist, the founder of Tuttle Enterprises and the Tuttle Foundation.
- Jody Tuttle: American country and gospel singer, well known as a recording artist with the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.