CORNWALLIS
Cornwallis
Origin and Meaning: Cornwallis is an English surname derived from a habitational name for persons from locations such as Cornwall or Cornwallis in England.
History: The surname Cornwallis has ancient origins dating back to medieval England. The name is historically associated with Sir Charles Cornwallis, a British military officer who served during the American Revolutionary War. Another notable figure with this surname is Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis, who was a British Army officer and colonial administrator.
Distribution: The Cornwallis surname is primarily found in the United Kingdom, with concentrations in regions such as Cornwall, Kent, and London. It has also been documented in former British colonies and the United States.
Variants: Variants of the Cornwallis surname include Cornwaleys, Cornwaleis, and Cornwalleys.
Notable Individuals:
- Sir Charles Cornwallis (1738–1805) – British Army officer, known for his role in the American Revolutionary War.
- Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (1738–1805) – British Army officer and colonial administrator in India.
- Elizabeth Cornwallis (1573–1630) – English noblewoman and scholar known for her literary and religious works.
- Thomas Cornwallis (c. 1605–1675) – English poet and translator.
- Frederick Cornwallis (1713–1783) – Archbishop of Canterbury.
Legacy: The Cornwallis surname carries a legacy of military service, noble lineage, and historical significance. It remains a symbol of English heritage and history, with notable individuals having contributed to various fields over the centuries.
References:
- Reaney, P.H., & Wilson, R.M. (1995). A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge.
- Hanks, P., Hardcastle, K., & Hodges, F. (2006). A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Cornwallis in...
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There are approximately 47 people named Cornwallis in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Cornwallis.
Famous people named Cornwallis
- Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis - General, colonial official, diplomat (1738 to 1805)
- George Cornwallis-West - Army officer and author (1874 to 1951)
- Charles Cornwallis, 3rd Baron Cornwallis - Baron (1655 to 1698)
- Kinahan Cornwallis - Diplomat (1883 to 1959)
- Charles Cornwallis, 2nd Marquess Cornwallis - Noble (1774 to 1823)
- Fiennes Cornwallis, 3rd Baron Cornwallis - Peer (1921 to 2010)
- Fiennes Cornwallis, 1st Baron Cornwallis - Politician (1864 to 1935)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.