Surname Jillson - Meaning and Origin
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Jillson: What does the surname Jillson mean?
The last name Jillson is of English and German origin. The meaning of the surname is rooted in the Middle English “jilte”, which means “generous”. Jillson variations may also stem from several other European surnames: the English Gilson, the Dutch Gillis, the German Gillet, and the French Gillot.
The Jillson surname has a few variations, such as Gilson, which stems from the Middle English “gil”, meaning “servant” or “youth”. The Dutch Gillis originates from an old Germanic name beginning with “gilo”, meaning “hostage”, while Gillet and Gillot have meanings of “from the family of the hostage”, respectively.
Throughout the ages, individuals bearing the name Jillson or its variants have come to be associated with service or hospitality. Those with this surname are thought to be generous, loyal, and hardworking. They are often willing to go above and beyond for the sake of others. As hard workers, they have a tendency to be successful in reaching their goals and ambitions.
The Jillson name is found in countries all across the globe—especially places with high English or German populations. In America, this name was brought over from England and Germany during the colonial era. Over time, the variations of the name have been used in many of the cultures and countries it has spread to.
Order DNA origin analysisJillson: Where does the name Jillson come from?
Jillson is an uncommon last name today, with few records indicating its prevalence. The 2000 US Census reported only 115 people with the surname. As of 2018, records suggest an estimated 120 people with the surname currently living in the United States. Of the 115 recorded in the census, 10 were in California, 8 in New York, 5 each in Idaho and Arizona, 4 each in Nevada and Illinois, and 2 in Texas. The remaining individuals resided in states including North Carolina, New Jersey, Hawaii, Ohio, Michigan, Montana, and Oregon. Jillson is also recorded in Canada, with only 3 individuals in the country as of 2018.
The surname is also found in England and Wales, but it is much less common there. Records show only 23 individuals, most of whom live in the Greater London and Merseyside areas.
Given the limited records for Jillson, it is likely a rare surname today. It is not widely known, and most occurrences of it can be found in small isolated pockets in the United States and in some parts of England. It is not particularly common in any one country or region, and the few records it has indicate it is not likely to become more prevalent in the future.
Variations of the surname Jillson
The surname Jillson has a few variants and spellings, all originating from a common ancestor. Generally, these surnames are derived from the Middle English, Old French, and Old German given name Gilo. This name has various spellings, such as Jillson, Jilson, and Jelson.
Surnames originating from the same source as the Jillson family name include Gilson, Gillson, Gilleson, Gilletson, Gills, Jilley, Jillitson, Jilson, Jelson, Jellison, Jeleson, and Jeson. These spellings are relatively uncommon and often dependent on the region and country of origin.
The Jillson surname can be found in records as far back as the 16th century in England. For example, the register of parish of St. Catherine, which was drawn up in 1540, features the name Jylson. There is also evidence of the Jillson name in Scotland, where it was recorded in various documents from 1585.
The spelling of the Jillson surname may have changed as it traveled across the waters to America. For example, in the United States, the name was sometimes spelled as Jilson. This variant may have also been used to differentiate the surname from names that sounded similar, such as Gilson.
Therefore, those with the Jillson surname are likely share a common ancestral line, with the variations in spelling coming into play as the surname was carried into the New World.
Famous people with the name Jillson
- Candis Jillson: Canadian singer-songwriter and producer.
- Jacob Jillson: American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 1st congressional district from 1979 to 1989.
- Bill Jillson: Canadian music producer and manager, best known for his work with rock band Rush.
- Stephen J. Jillson: American anthropologist who specialized in Southwest Indian cultures and worked for the National Park Service.
- Elliott Mason Jillson: Canadian engineer and politician, who served as the 11th Premier of Saskatchewan.
- David Jillson: American poet and critic, co-founder of the Florence Poetry Society.
- Bertram John Jillson: American paleontologist and geologist; contributed greatly to the knowledge of Indiana's early geology.
- Paul Jillson: British actor-writer, best known for his theatre and comedy works.
- Bruce Jillson: American poet, professor, and teacher, co-founder of the Great Bear Poetry workshop.
- Jenny Jillson: American actor, singer, and dancer who appeared on Broadway in several musicals.