Tily

Origin and Meaning

Tily is a surname of English origin derived from the Old English name "Tidhelm," combining the elements "tid," meaning time or season, and "helm," meaning helmet or protection. The name was likely occupational, referring to a person who worked as a timekeeper or on-season worker.

Distribution and Frequency

The surname Tily is relatively rare and is predominantly found in the United Kingdom. It is most commonly found in regions with historical connections to Anglo-Saxon settlements.

Notable People

  • John Tily (1800–1870): A notable British painter known for his landscape and genre paintings during the 19th century.
  • Sarah Tily (born 1985): Renowned British biologist and researcher in the field of marine biology, with a particular focus on coral reef ecosystems.

Variants

Variants of the surname Tily include Tiley, Tilly, and Tilley.

Heraldic Arms

The heraldic arms associated with the Tily surname typically feature symbols such as helmets, shields, or seasonal motifs, reflecting the name's origins.

There are approximately 88 people named Tily in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Tily.

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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