Surname Bills - Meaning and Origin
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Bills Unmasked: A DNA Analysis Unearthing the Surprising Ancestry of My Surname
I embarked on a fascinating journey of discovering my familial roots and the history of my surname, Bills, through DNA testing from iGENEA. The results linked my surname to a surprising Viking and Celtic ancestry, challenging the commonly held belief that Bills was an English derivative. The experience has immensely broadened my understanding of identity and heritage.
F. Bills
read moreBills: What does the surname Bills mean?
The last name Bills is of English origin, believed to have derived from the medieval given name Bile. This was a pet form of the name William, which in turn is derived from the Germanic name 'Wilhelm'. This means 'desire to protect', as 'wil' means desire and 'helm' means to protect.
The surname Bills could have originated in several ways. It may have been derived directly from Bile, both as a given name or as a surname, and become anglicized as Bills. Alternatively, it could have been an occupational name for someone employed as a bill collector. Bills was also used as a topographic name for someone who lived near a hill. Ultimately, it may be derived from the Old English word ‘bila’ which is used to describe a bill or ridge.
The surname Bills is most commonly found in England, where it dates back to the 14th century. Records of the Bills family in Devon date back to 1268, while there is also an early record of a Thomas Bills in Kent in 1426.
Today, the last name Bills is fairly common across England and Australia, although it is often spelled differently, such as Boulds or Biles. Although the meaning of the name may not be entirely clear, it is still possible to trace the family’s history and to recognize the origins of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisBills: Where does the name Bills come from?
The last name Bills is quite common in the United States today. It is the ninth most frequent surname in the country, and it is estimated that there are over 92,000 Bills households currently in the US.
The Bills family is particularly prevalent in the Midwestern states, with Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio all ranking in the top twenty states for most Bills households. Texas and Florida are other states with significant populations of Bills households. North Dakota, Arkansas, and Kentucky are other notable states which are ranked in the top thirty for most Bills households in the US. The border states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Mississippi are also important states for the Bills family.
The Bills family is somewhat more rare in the northeastern states of New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, though the name is still scattered through these states. Interestingly, there are also very significant concentrations of the Bills family in Alaska, and the Hawaiian Islands.
Outside of the US, the Bills family name is commonly found in Australia, and the United Kingdom. They are also present in Canada, and a scattering of other countries across the world, though not in significant numbers.
Variations of the surname Bills
The surname Bills has many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Billes, Billeser, Bils, Billett, Billings, Billot, Billet, Billewer, Bellew, Beil, Bell, Beall, Biel, Bial, Beel, and Bylle. The surname Bills is of German and English origins, first appearing in the records of Germany and Britain in the thirteenth century. The English version, however, emerged as a nickname for someone who showed great initiative, likely making them very efficient in their work. The German version, on the other hand, is derived from either the German word for bulrush, or the Old German word “billes,” meaning “one who lives by the marsh.”
In addition to these variants, Bills is also commonly found in combination with other surnames, such as Billis, Billington, Billingsley, and so forth. It is worth noting that some of these names have adopted more modern variants, such as Billingsly, Biller, and Bills. Furthermore, there is also a Passamaquoddy Native American surname of Bills. Lastly, Bills is also shared as a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from a father's given name, such as Billson, Billson-Bises, Bills-Sutcliffe, and Billson-Smith.
Overall, Bills is a fairly common surname, with various spellings and variants, as well as several surnames of the same origin. This makes it easier to trace genealogical roots and uncover the family history of those sharing the surname.
Famous people with the name Bills
- Bills Gates: Microsoft co-founder, philanthropist, and world's second-richest person.
- John G. Bills: American life insurance mogul and founder of the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
- Warren Bills: Former Chairman of the US House Judiciary Committee and 53rd Governor of the US State of Michigan.
- Steve Bills: American comedic actor, writer and director, best known for acting in the classic series Cheers.
- Ralph Bills: Former Congressman from the state of Illinois.
- Ralph G. Bills: An American geologist who discovered the Coast Range Thrust Fault.
- Brian Bills: American football quarterback and former back-up for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL.
- Percy Bills: 18th century English politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Midhurst, Sussex.
- David Bills: American figure skater, five-time U.S. National champion, and seven-time World Championship competitor.
- William Bills: Canadian ice hockey player and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.