Surname Collis - Meaning and Origin
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Collis: What does the surname Collis mean?
Collis is a surname of French origin derived from the Latin word meaning "hill" or "summit" and is believed to have been a topographic name. The original spelling of the name was de Collis, indicating a place-name, most likely the name of a place that used to exist in Normandy. It is most likely an originally Norman family name, as the Normans brought many topographical and descriptively named surnames with them when they conquered Britain in 1066 and the subsequent centuries.
The spelling variants of the surname Collis include Collish, Collispie, and Collese. Collis is quite rare as a surname and could be found mainly in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Newfoundland. It is believed to be derived from a place name and is most likely a tribute to someone who lived near a hill or a small mountain.
Collis family members are proud of their long heritage and those are proud to carry the surname have established various coat-of-arms or heraldic symbols over the years. The Coat of Arms most commonly associated with the Collis surname depicts a shield quartered by a silver cross and a red plate in each quarter. Above the shield is a silver helmet and crest. The crest carries a red falcon rising with its claws extended.
The origin of the Collis surname is believed to have originated in Normandy in France, with the family likely migrating to Britain and other countries like Australia, the United States, or Newfoundland with the occupation of William the Conqueror in 1066. Today, the surname is quite uncommon, but results in various offline and online sources suggest that there are still many individuals who carry the Collis name and are proud of their long family heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisCollis: Where does the name Collis come from?
The last name Collis is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It appears in the 1881 Census, where "Collis" was the 22nd most popular surname in England, forming 0.87 percent of the population. It was particularly associated with the counties of Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
Collis is a habitational surname derived from the Old English word "coll," meaning "hill." The name may also be derived from the Old French word "coll," meaning "colleague," "companion," or "acquaintance."
The last name has since spread to other countries, particularly to America. In 2019, it was the 22,495th most popular surname in the United States, according to the U.S. Census. At the same time, it was the 23,383rd most popular surname in the United Kingdom, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The last name can also be found in Western Europe, particularly in France, Spain, and Germany. However, its popularity has declined significantly in other parts of the world, such as in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Overall, Collis is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, as well as in the United States, France, Spain, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Collis
Collis is a common surname in Europe and the United States. It is believed to be derived from the Latin root “collis” meaning “a hill,” and it is believed to be of British origin. It was likely first used as a surname by someone who lived on or near a hill. There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Collis.
The variant spellings of Collis include Colliss, Colles, Colliss, Colls, Colis, and Coles. Surnames of the same origin include Collies, Coller, Colleer, Collere, Colley, Colliar, and Colyer.
In Great Britain, the name was first found in England, where it is thought to have originated. It is believed the Collis family arrived in England before the Norman Conquest of 1066. The earliest record of the name dates to 1290 in Suffolk, England where John de Colles was listed on the Hundred Rolls.
The name became prominent in Scotland, where it was first found in Aberdeenshire. There the Collis family flourished and branched into many homes. The family held a family seat as Lords of the manor in this area.
In the United States, the surname Collis had its roots in Pennsylvania where it was founded by German immigrants settling in Pennsylvania in the 18th century. The descendants of this first immigrant Thomas Collis continue to live in Pennsylvania and have roots across the United States.
As a result of its origin in the United Kingdom, this surname can now be found in many countries around the world. Today, there are hundreds of variations of the Collis surname which have been documented throughout the centuries.
Famous people with the name Collis
- Phil Collis: movie producer, known for his work with Omar Epps on the movie Big Money Rustlas
- Nick Collis: professional soccer player who currently plays for the English club Salford City
- Steve Collis: CEO of the drugstore chain CVS Health
- David Collis: former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Compaq, the computer manufacturer
- Richard Collis: English actor, best known for his roles in films such as The World Is Not Enough and The Bourne Ultimatum
- Paul Collis: British engineer, known for developing the world's first orbital observatory
- Vanessa Collis: Canadian actress, best known for her roles in TV shows including Degrassi: The Next Generation
- Wesley Collis: American actor, known for his work in the film Halloween: H20
- Tom Collis: British actor and comedian, best known for his roles in shows like The IT Crowd and The Inbetweeners
- Tim Collis: British writer, best known for his novel The Inheritance of Solomon Farthing