Surname Tillier - Meaning and Origin
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Tillier: What does the surname Tillier mean?
The origin of the surname Tillier has long been something of a source of debate and various theories have been postulated about its meaning. One origin suggests that the name Tillier is of Germanic origin, derived from the personal name “Tilla” which meant “battle” in its original language. Another theory suggests the name is of French origin, derived from the Latin root “tilium”, which meant “tilth”.
The most widely accepted explanation of the origin of Tillier is that it is derived from the Latin word “tilio” which meant “tile” referring to a tiler or builder. It is suggested that the name Tillier may be a derivative of an occupational name, given to a person who worked as a tiler or builder in the Old French period.
Another explanation suggests that the name originated as a nickname for a person with a neat, well-groomed appearance, likely derived from the Middle French word “tillire”, which means “to trim”. It is believed that the surname Tillier was often given to a person who carried out their duties in a neat, organized manner.
The surname Tillier is most commonly found in France but can also be found in some other parts of Europe, including England, Switzerland, and Germany. It remains to be seen how the surname developed over time, but the various theories and explanations point to a possible origin in France or Germany during the Old French period.
Order DNA origin analysisTillier: Where does the name Tillier come from?
The last name Tillier is a common French surname which is found predominantly in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France. The genealogical records of the region shows that the family is especially concentrated around the towns of Dole, Pontarlier and Vesoul. There is also a large presence of the name in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and nearby metropolitan areas.
In Europe, the Tilliers are an old and established family, with roots traceable to the Franco-Swiss border region since the Middle Ages. The family then branched out across the whole region, and today it is one of the most common surnames in France.
Outside of Europe, the name Tillier is less common; however, diaspora families that have moved to other parts of the world mean that the name is still widespread, particularly in North America. Records show that the first Tillier to arrive in Canada was Pierre Tillier, a crucifixion sculptor originally from Dole, who settled in Montreal in 1873.
Numerous other Tilliers have since traveled from France in search of a better life, and the name is now present in most major cities across the globe.
Variations of the surname Tillier
The surname Tillier has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It originated from the French word “tille” which means small hill or hillock.
The surname is spelled in various ways, which include Tillier, Tilley, Tillee, Tilleyer, Tiller, Tillery, Tilhier, Tilleur, and Tilhure.
In France, the spelling for the Tillier surname is Tilhure, which comes from a combination of the words “tille” and “hure”, meaning “small hill” and “head” respectively. Thus, the meaning of the name is the hill-top dweller.
Variants and spellings of the surname Tillier are also used in Belgium, and include Tilleyer, Tilleur, and Tilhure.
In the Netherlands, it is spelled as Tilleur, which likely comes from the Dutch word “teller”, meaning “probably”.
In the United States, it is most commonly spelled as Tiller.
The surnames which have a similar origin to Tillier include Willey, Hillyer, Hiller, Hilley, and Hillier.
Thus, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Tillier.
Famous people with the name Tillier
- Maïtena Biraben: is a French journalist and television presenter, best known for her career with the French public network France 2.
- Jean-Michel Tillier: is a French politician. He has served as a member of the National Assembly since 2002.
- Gaspard Tillier: is a French philosopher and professor, specializing in philosophy of language, and author of “How Language Works”.
- Yannick Tillier: is a French photographer and art director.
- Claudine Tillier: is a French actress best known for her roles in films such as “Lost and Found” and “Souvenirs”.
- Françoise Tillier: is a French novelist, known for her works such as “Only to Fall In Love Again” and “Not to Receive or To Reject”.
- Arthur Tillier: was a French politician who served as Mayor of Le Havre from 1956 to 1985.
- Gabrielle Tillier: was a French Grand Guignol actress, most notably appearing in The Hands of Orlac in 1924.
- Claude Tillier: was a French author and dramatist, with numerous works, including “My Uncle Benjamin” and “The Rat”.
- Jean-Marie Tillier: was a French politician, serving as Minister of Social Affairs from 1967 to 1969.