Surname Stillus - Meaning and Origin
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Stillus: What does the surname Stillus mean?
Stillus is a German surname derived from the Latin word “stillus” meaning “wooden staff” or “stake”. It is likely that the name originated in the Middle Ages when wood was used for many different purposes including working the land, building fences and stakes, as well as providing tools for various crafts. It is plausible that those bearing the surname Stillus were either particularly skilled in woodworking or had a connection to the land where wooden tools were important.
In many places in the middle ages, a surname was derived from the individual’s profession or skill. As such, Stillus was likely adopted by those who were skilled carpenters, woodworkers, or had a connection to the land. Over time, the name was anglicised and got it's current spelling - Stillus.
The surname Stillus is still in use today across Europe. Variations of the name include Stiller, Dlullais, and Dalles. Although the original meaning of the word has been lost over the centuries, it is still an interesting part of many European family trees.
Order DNA origin analysisStillus: Where does the name Stillus come from?
The last name Stillus is commonly found in various countries around the world today. Its highest concentration appears to be in the United States, followed by Canada, New Zealand and Germany.
The origins of the Stillus surname can be traced to Germanic sources, through the ancient Italian and Latin versions of Stillus. It is widely assumed that Stillus was a name given to families who lived in areas around lakes and rivers, such as the Rhine. Unsurprisingly, these families also adopted the name of the nearby bodies of water - with the Stillus family originating from a lake near the Rhine named Stille.
Stillus is also popular in Italy, thanks to Italian immigration in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many Italian immigrants travelling to North America adopted this surname as a way of preserving their Italian heritage.
In the more recent decades of the 20th century, Stillus has been adopted as a surname by families from various other countries, especially in the Americas. Currently there are estimated to be more than 5,000 individuals in the United States carrying the Stillus surname. The highest concentration of Stillus families appears to be in the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
In summary, the Stillus surname is a unique choice, with a variety of different origin points. The modern population of Stillus families is most commonly located in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Stillus
Stillus is a surname of Latin and Ripuarian Germanic origin. In Latin, Stillus means "terrible" and in Ripuarian Germanic, Stillus means "restless".
Variants of Stillus include Stilus, Stylus, Stilen and Stylen. Spellings of the surname may include Styllus, Stiylus and Stiylen. Additionally, other surnames with differing spellings have roots in Stillus, but may not be considered direct variants. These include Styhlke, Stilke, Stylka, and Stille.
The Stillus surname can take many different forms from different languages and countries. German variants of the name are Stilke, Styhlke, Stille, Stillke, and Stillmann. Dutch variants include Stille, Stilman, Stil, and Steltman. Polish variants include Styl, Stylman, Stylinski, Stillman, and Styling.
In the United States, many families with the surname Stillus shortened it to suit American naming conventions, resulting in common variants like Stiles, Styles, and Stills. Those with ancestral roots in Germany may also have seen their surname changed to Steil, Steele, or Steels, among other variations.
Regardless of the variant or spelling of the Stillus surname, its Latin and Germanic origins of "terrible" and "restless" remain the same. As such, individuals with such names share a common heritage and deep familial roots.
Famous people with the name Stillus
- Mercedes Stillus: Mexican actress, producer, and influencer.
- Geri Stillus: popular 1990s singer-songwriter.
- Vince Stillus: American professional hockey player in the National Hockey League.
- Humphrey Stillus: English actor, best known for his roles in the British television series The Bill and Life on Mars.
- Freddie Stillus: winning artist of the Overkill's & Nuclear Blast Records singing contest.
- Jonah Stillus: award-winning Irish cinematographer and producer.
- Frankie Stillus: Californian actress, singer, and songwriter.
- Luanne Stillus: acclaimed interior designer, best known for her work on luxury resorts and high-end homes.
- Migo Stillus: professional skateboarder, YouTube star, and stuntman.
- Bart Stillus: legendary playground basketball player in Brooklyn, New York.