Surname Margulies - Meaning and Origin

Margulies: What does the surname Margulies mean?

The surname Margulies is Jewish and of Ashkenazi origin. It is believed to have derived from the Hebrew name "Margaliot," which translates to "pearls" in English. The surname is typically associated with the Jewish community in Eastern Europe, particularly those who speak Yiddish. Like many other Jewish surnames, it was likely adopted during the 18th or 19th century when laws were introduced requiring Jews to adopt permanent, inheritable family names. The name could have been chosen to symbolize beauty, value, or a small, precious object, reflecting the meaning of the original Hebrew word. Its variant forms include Margulis, Margules, and Margolis. As with many surnames, specific origins can be hard to trace due to changing borders and spellings over time.

Margulies: Where does the name Margulies come from?

The surname Margulies originates from Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. The name itself is of patronymic origin, deriving from the Yiddish personal name "Margalit" which means "pearl" in Hebrew. Margulies, therefore, translates to "son of Margalit" or "descendant of Margalit". Other alterations of the same name include Margulis or Margules. Nowadays, the name is found all over the world due to the Jewish diaspora but it is more common in regions with sizeable Jewish populations such as Israel, the United States, and parts of Europe like Germany or Poland. However, globally the Margulies surname is relatively rare. Even in Israel, it is not among the most common surnames. Famous people who bear this surname include American actress Julianna Margulies.

Variations of the surname Margulies

The surname Margulies is of Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. It is derived from the Yiddish term "Margolies" or "Margolis", meaning 'pearl'. This surname has multiple variants and spellings due to geographic dispersion and translation between different languages.

Some common variants and spellings of Margulies include Margolis, Mergolis, Margolis, Margolies, Margolis, Margalit, Margoles, Margolyes, Margules, Margulis, Marguiles, Margules, and Margulius.

It's worth noting that some of these versions might stem from personal or family preference or may be the result of immigration designation when individuals or families moved to different countries, and the spelling was changed to accommodate the phonetic or linguistic norms of the new country.

For instance, Margolyes might be an Anglicization of the surname often found in the United Kingdom, while Margolis or Mergolis might be more common in the United States. These variations reflect the rich diversity and complex history of Jewish Ashkenazic community's diaspora.

All in all, the surname and its variants are common among Jewish communities across the world, including Israel, United States, and various European countries.

Famous people with the name Margulies

• Julianna Margulies: Emmy Award-winning actress known for her role on ER and The Good Wife.
• Michael Margulies: Emmy Award-winning visual effects producer who worked on The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Bourne Supremacy.
• Terry Margulies: Emmy-nominated composer, known for his work on the films South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and Like Mike.
• Eva Margulies: Pulitzer Prize-finalist poet and novelist, known for her works Dinner at the Center of the Earth and The Water Father.
• Justin Margulies: Grammy-nominated record producer and musician, who has worked with artists like Britney Spears, Madonna, and P. Diddy.
• Robert Margulies: Emmy-nominated visual effects artist who has worked on films such as Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
• Thomas Margulies: American painter and musician known for his abstract art works.
• Michael Margulies: Academy Award nominations for films Little Miss Sunshine and Argo.
• Beth Margulies: Jewish American classical violinist, known for her solo performances with the Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra as well as her work with various symphonies around the world.
• Jesse Margulies: Emmy Award-winning film and television producer, best known for his production of the hit show House of Cards.

Other surnames

Margulis