Pill

Summary: Pill is a British surname that has a long and storied history. It is derived from the Old English word "pyll," which means a pool or stream. The name Pill was likely used to describe someone who lived near a pool or stream, or someone who worked at a place with that name.

Etymology: The surname Pill dates back to the medieval period in England and has its roots in Old English. It is classified as a topographic surname, which means it was given to people based on the location of their residence or place of origin.

Distribution: The surname Pill is most commonly found in the south-west of England, particularly in Somerset and Devon. This suggests that the original bearers of the name likely hailed from this region.

Notable Bearers:

  • John Pill (1803-1885): An English architect known for his work in Bristol, particularly the design of the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
  • Eleanor Pill (1920-2001): A notable British actress who appeared in several West End productions during the mid-20th century.

Famous Fictional Characters:

  • Jane Pill: A character in the novel The Pill Family Chronicles by British author Sarah Aldridge. Jane Pill is depicted as a strong-willed matriarch of the Pill family during the Victorian era.

Variants: Variants of the surname Pill include Pille, Pylle, and Pyll.

References:

  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (2008). A Dictionary of English Surnames.
  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland.

Overall, the surname Pill carries with it a rich history and a diverse array of bearers who have made significant contributions to various fields.

There are approximately 478 people named Pill in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around seven in a million people in Britain are named Pill.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • Christopher
  • David
  • John
  • Michael
  • Richard
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Alison
  • Anne
  • Caroline
  • Christine
  • Diane
  • Dolores
  • Eileen
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Jenny
  • Kathleen
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Susanna

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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