Surname Lys - Meaning and Origin
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Lys: What does the surname Lys mean?
The last name Lys is believed to be of French origin and first emerged in the 12th century France, during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word ‘Lis’, which can refer to various flowers, including the lily. It is also thought to come from the Provençal language, where ‘Lis’ can mean ‘hill’.
The most common meaning of the name is ‘Lily’, which can be linked to the biblical reference of the Virgin Mary being compared to a lily, making it a highly symbolic name with religious connotations. In the 13th century, it was adopted by many noble families, including the Lys of Varreddes, Lys of Bergoulets, Lys of Basel, and Lys of Rougemont, indicating its standing in French aristocracy.
Today, the last name is spread throughout Europe, North America, and Australia. In the United States specifically, the most common variants of the surname are Lise, Lees, Liez, and Liess. The surname can also be found as Leys, Lez or Leyz, Leize, and L’eys.
The name Lys is thus a noble French name with religious roots and a deep history. It is a strong, symbolic name that is still used today throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisLys: Where does the name Lys come from?
The last name Lys is most commonly found in France and parts of Europe. It is a name with French origins and dates back to the Middle Ages, although its exact origin is unknown. It is a variant of the given name 'Leslie', and is believed to be derived from the Latin nickname 'laetus', meaning 'happy', 'joyous', or 'laughing'.
The Lys surname has a long history in France, where it was first found in the northern regions of the Champagne area. It is believed that this surname was an aristocratic one during the Ancien Régime, and was sometimes used to indicate nobility.
In modern day, the surname Lys is still found mainly in France, with Lys families living in regions all over the country. An estimated 3,000 people current carry the Lys namespace in France, making it one of the most common surnames in the country. It is also found in small numbers throughout Europe, including in Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Lys
The surname Lys is a shortened form of the Dutch name Leijs or Lieys. It is a patronymic name derived from the given names Leije, Lieuwe, Lieije, or Lieye. It is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Variations of the name include Lijs, Lyes, Leys, Lijsen, and Leijsen.
In the Netherlands, the spelling Leijs is the most common, while in Belgium and France, the spelling Lys is more common. The alternative spelling Lijs is sometimes found in the Netherlands and Belgian borders with Germany.
Variations of the surname Lys can also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries with a Dutch or Belgian population. It is also possible to find variations of the surname Lys in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa due to the migration of Dutch and Belgian settlers.
The variants of the surname Lys can be found around the world, in different spellings and forms. In Germany and Denmark, the variants Lisse and Liesen can be found, while in North America, the variants Leiss and Leysa are often found. In France, Leis and Liess are common variations, and the Leysa and Lissa variations are found in Latin America and Spain.
As with many surnames, variant spellings may have developed as a result of differences in regional language and phonemic differences. Surnames such as Leijs, Lijs, Leys, Lyes, Lijsen and Leijsen all share the same origin, but each has developed its own unique form.
Famous people with the name Lys
- Lys Assia: Swiss singer who won the 1956 Eurovision Song Contest
- Jacky Lys Agbodjinou: Togolese fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
- Auguste Désiré Lys: French oboist, composer, and music professor
- Tanguy Lys: French actor and playwright
- Lys Marigold: Australian actress and comedian
- Bernardo Lys y Dalmau: Spanish army officer
- Julien Lys: French footballer
- Marie Lys: French dancer
- Nathalie Lys: French actress and singer
- Alexis C. Lys: French playwright and actor
- Manon Lys: French road and track cyclist
- Amanda Lys: American actress and singer
- Martijn Lys: Dutch long-distance runner
- Anouska de Graaff: Dutch singer who formerly used the stage name Lys
- Harold M. Lys: American civil engineer
- David Lys: Swiss pianist
- Philip Lys: British broadcaster and writer