Sully

Sully is a British surname of Norman-French origin, derived from the Old French word "souille" which means a muddy place or marsh. It is believed to have been introduced to Britain after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Origin The Sully surname can be traced back to the feudal system of medieval France. The first recorded appearance of the name was in Somerset, England in the 13th century. Over time, the surname has spread to various regions across the United Kingdom.

Distribution The surname Sully is relatively uncommon in Britain, with a concentration in areas such as Somerset, Devon, and Wales. It has also been found in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Aberdeen.

Notable Individuals Various notable individuals have borne the surname Sully. One such personality is Thomas Sully (1783-1872), a renowned British-American painter known for his portraits and historical scenes. Another notable figure is Captain James Sully, a decorated military officer who served in the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.

Legacy The surname Sully has a rich history and continues to be a symbol of heritage for individuals of British and Norman-French descent. Today, descendants of the Sully family can be found across the United Kingdom and in various parts of the world.

There are approximately 1,644 people named Sully in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,960th most common surname in Britain. Around 25 in a million people in Britain are named Sully.

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

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Matthew
  • Michael
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Diane
  • Elizabeth
  • Elspeth
  • Emma
  • Francesca
  • Helen
  • Janet
  • Jean
  • Julia
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Nicola
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Victoria

Similar and related surnames

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

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.