Surname Hillee - Meaning and Origin
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Hillee: What does the surname Hillee mean?
The last name Hillee is a toponymic surname derived from the town of Hilley in the English region of Staffordshire. The town itself is recorded in the Domesday book of 1086, as Hilliege, and is thought to be of Anglo-Saxon origin derived from the the Old English 'hil', meaning 'hill' or 'ridge', combined with 'leah', meaning 'woodland clearing'.
Hillee is therefore a geographical-based surname that arises from lineage and ancestry. It was common in mediaeval England for people to be identified by their place of origin due to the lack of established surnames or hereditary nobility. In effect, by taking the name Hillee one is proclaiming their roots in the hill country of Staffordshire.
Aside from the geographical connection, Hillee can also refer to the Germanic surname Hille, with its most common derivation in Germany and Scandinavia coming from the Old High German name 'hilîn'. Its meaning can be translated as either 'battle-worthy' or 'protector', and is often linked to the Germanic God 'Hilen’, the God of War.
Thus, the surname Hillee can have two meanings dependent upon which region it is derived from. For some, it is to signify their historical ties to England’s hill country, whereas for others it is to convey the idea of a courageous warrior.
Order DNA origin analysisHillee: Where does the name Hillee come from?
The last name Hillee is particularly common in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau’s 2019 data, Hillee is the 7,718th most common last name in the United States. This places it in the top 1% in terms of popularity, and it is most commonly found in the South and Midwest regions of the country.
Among the states where Hillee is most common are Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, all of which are in the South. It is also popular in Midwest states such as Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Nebraska. The states where Hillee is least common are California, which is in the West, and Hawaii and Massachusetts, both of which are located in the Northeast.
Hillee likely originated from either the Germanic word "hil" meaning “hill”, or the French word "heille" which means “what a noise!”. There is no consensus on the exact origin of the name in the United States, but it could have been brought over by immigrants during the 1700s or earlier. Today the Hillee name can be found across the country, but it remains most common in the South and Midwest, where many of its earliest bearers and their descendants still live.
Variations of the surname Hillee
The surname Hillee is typically of German origin. It is also spelled with variants such as: Hillie, Hilly, Hillye, Hilley, Hille, Hil, Hile, Hiles, Hille, Hyll, Hilley, Hydle, Hill, Hillel, Hills, Hiller, and Hillice.
These variations follow distinct pronunciations and spellings. Hillie, Hilley, Hil, Hille, Hill, Hyll, and Hillel are German names, with Hillye, Hiles, and Hydle being extensions or variations of the original German name ‘Hille’. Hille and Hiller are also commonly used in Germany, with variations found in the US such as Hilly, Hile, and Hillice.
Most variations of the surname have one specific origin and are typically emblazoned with a specific family crest. For example, the surname Hillee is found in the House of Hillenburg, the crest of which is a lion rampant with five roses on its head and the Latin motto 'Cedo Nulli'.
The variations may also have a French origin that derives from the German name, with single surname Hillee originating from a small town in France. In this case, the spelling is identical to the original German version ‘Hille’.
In conclusion, the surname Hillee has various spellings and surnames that are all technically related in origin. Through the name’s French links, it also has connections to numerous other European names that share the same origin.
Famous people with the name Hillee
- Adam Hillier: an actor, and the brother of Craig Hillier, better known as Torstein Horgmo.
- Barry Hillee Jr.: a jazz fusion drummer known for playing a variety of progressive rock and jazz fusion music.
- Colin Hillee: an Australian Aboriginal actor, singer, and musician.
- Darlene Hillee: a Canadian figure skater who represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Desmond Hillee: a Canadian film and television actor who has performed in many notable roles in science-fiction and fantasy productions.
- Greg Hille: the son of former Major League Baseball pitcher, Greg Martinez, and the father of Greyson Hille.
- Jeffrey Hiller: a character actor who has appeared in many films and television shows, including the popular US sitcom, Friends.
- Kent Hillee: the former mayor of the City of Como in Minnesota, USA.
- Kori Hillee: an American singer and songwriter, best known for her collaboration with Hilary Duff in the song ‘Turn The Music Up.’
- Laura Hillee: an American actress, best known for her recurring role on the hit NBC series, Friends.