Cillie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Cillie

What does the name Cillie mean?

Today's generation of the Cillie family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Cillie family lived in Derbyshire, in the area of Cully.

Early Origins of the Cillie family

The surname Cillie was first found in Norfolk where Hunfrid de Cuelai was listed there in the Domesday Book. 1 However, we must look to the aforementioned reference of Derbyshire to find the earliest land grants for the surname. And Ratcliffe Culey, a hamlet near the border of Warwickshire and Leicestershire, part of the civil parish of Witherley can be ruled out as the origin of the name as the hamlet's first reference was in the 1600's.

Early History of the Cillie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cillie research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1559, 1606 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cillie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cillie Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Cillie include Culley, Cully, Culy, Culey and others.

Early Notables of the Cillie family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cillie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cillie family to Ireland

Some of the Cillie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cillie migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Cillies to arrive on North American shores:

Cillie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Martha Helma Cillie, aged 57, who landed in America from Paerl, South Africa, in 1923

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)