| ![Show Contents]() Atlas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The name Atlas is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Kent, where they held a family seat at Lee's Court. The original form of this name was atte Lee, which became modified to the shorter form Atlas. Early Origins of the Atlas familyThe surname Atlas was first found in Kent where they held a family seat from ancient times, some say before the Norman Conquest in 1066. Early History of the Atlas familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Atlas research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1258 is included under the topic Early Atlas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Atlas Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Atlas were recorded, including Atlee, Attley, Attlie, Atleigh, Atley, Atleys and others. Early Notables of the Atlas familyMore information is included under the topic Early Atlas Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Atlas RankingIn the United States, the name Atlas is the 14,131st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 Migration of the Atlas familyTo escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Atlas family emigrate to North America: William Atlee, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1744, and descended was Walter Franklin Atlee related to Benjamin Franklin, also of Philadelphia.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Atlas (post 1700) | + |
- Charles Atlas (1893-1972), born Angelo Siciliano, Italian-born, American bodybuilder who developed his body from that of a "scrawny weakling," founder of Charles Atlas Ltd., in 1929 which continues to market fitness programs
- James Atlas (1949-2019), American Rhodes Scholar, president of Atlas & Company, publishers, and founding editor of the Penguin Lives Series
- David Atlas (1924-2015), American meteorologist, a pioneer of radar meteorology, professor at the University of Chicago and National Center for Atmospheric Research, he held 22 patents and published more than 260 papers
- Tony Atlas (b. 1954), ring name of Anthony White, an American bodybuilder, powerlifter, and professional wrestler
- Theodore A. "Teddy" Atlas Jr. (b. 1956), American boxing trainer and fight commentator
- Robert Atlas, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 2nd District, 1972 2
- Nicholas Atlas (b. 1903), American Republican politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 14th District, 1930; Candidate for Justice of New York Supreme Court 1st District, 1957 2
- Nancy Friedman Atlas (b. 1949), American politician, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, 1995- 2
- Morris Atlas (b. 1926), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1968, 1972; Chair of Hidalgo County Democratic Party, 1968-80 2
- Natacha Atlas (b. 1964), Belgian singer
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