Surname Eustis - Meaning and Origin

Eustis: What does the surname Eustis mean?

The surname Eustis is of Norman origin, derived from the Old French "Eustace". It is believed to have come from the Ancient Greek name "Eustachius" which translates to "fruitful".

The original Eustace family that first adopted this name appears to be a branch of the family of the Counts of Boulogne. The name appears to have been introduced to England shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

The surname mainly appears to be concentrated in the southern England, particularly in Dorset and Sussex counties. This could be a result of these regions being subject to substantial Norman presence during the Middle Ages.

Eustis is thought to have signified a person who was strong, reliable and fruitful, ensuring that their family found lasting success. It is possible that Eustis could have been associated with a religious significance as many people incorporated religious references into their names in the Middle Ages.

Today, the surname Eustis is widely distributed across the world. It has spread to North America, where prominent people with the name include a former mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, and a former Confederate general during the American Civil War.

Eustis: Where does the name Eustis come from?

The surname Eustis is most commonly found today in the United States. It is thought to have been derived from the Norman French personal name "Eustace." The first recorded use of the name in the US dates back to 1650, with the first settlers of the name arriving from France.

In 2020, the United States Census Bureau listed Eustis as the 10,418th most common surname in the country. Among the states with the highest concentration of people with the surname were Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, California, and Arizona. However, the name is found in smaller numbers in many other locations around the country.

The surname Eustis is also fairly common in states in Australia, such as New South Wales and Victoria, as well as the United Kingdom. In France, the surname is spelt slightly differently and is known as Eustice.

Beyond the United States, the last name Eustis is commonly found in the Canada, Ireland, Germany, and particularly Scotland, where the name has been in usage since the 16th century. The name has gradually become more and more widespread as Eustis families have moved and intermarried around the world.

Variations of the surname Eustis

The surname Eustis is believed to have originated from the old French word “eustace” meaning “strong.” Over the years, the surname has various spellings or variants, as well as several known variations.

The variants of Eustis include: Eustace, Eustiss, Eustace, Eusty, Eustick, Eustesse, and Eustece.

The known spellings of Eustis include: Eustisse, Evstece, Eustise, Euiste, Usties, and Ystis.

The surnames of the same origin as Eustis include: Eustee, Euston, Eustoth, Uestis, Ustus, Ustice, and even Ewastis.

There are also surname variations of same origin that may be combined with certain spellings (i.e. Eustis plus one of the variants). An example could be Eustace-Eustis.

The variations present for the surname Eustis provide insight into the possible lineage of individuals from this surname. Each of the spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin trace back to the same root word, “eustace” meaning “strong.” Over time, through migrations and cultural shifts, the spellings and derivatives of this surname have evolved.

Famous people with the name Eustis

• John Eustis: a US infantry and cavalry officer from Virginia who served during the American Revolutionary War.
• Harriet Eustis: the third daughter of William Eustis and Charlotte Sears Eustis, she was active in Rhode Island politics and social circles in the 1830s.
• William Eustis: an American physician, politician, and statesman from Massachusetts who served as a US Representative, US Senator, the 11th US Secretary of War and 12th Governor of Massachusetts.
• Mary Eustis: an American Nobel Peace laureate who was the founder of the Boston Junior League, the first branch of the Junior League of America. She was the daughter of William Eustis.
• Conrad Eustis: a descended from early colonists of New England, he held numerous offices of civic authority, ranging from church deacon to member of the Boston Common council from 1821-1825.
• James Eustis: a lawyer, diplomat, and member of the US Senate from Louisiana.
• Thomas Eustis: an American Revolutionary War surgeon who served under General Washington.
• Rob Eustis: a Massachusetts musician and independent recording artist.
• Solon Eustis: an American abolitionist who was a leader of the Free Soil Party, a party which split from the Democratic Party in 1848.
• Angus Eustis: a merchant banker and US diplomat from New England, he was appointed as the special envoy of President Grover Cleveland to Spain in 1893.

Other surnames

Eustice