Show ContentsTittley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

  • Origins Available:
  • England
Tittley Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Tittley

What does the name Tittley mean?

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Tittley surname lived in the village of Tetley found in the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire. Tittley is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. During the Middle Ages, as society became more complex, individuals needed a way to be distinguishable from others. Toponymic surnames were developed as a result of this need. Various features in the landscape or area were used to distinguish people from one another. In this case the surname Tittley was originally derived from the Old English personal name Taeta from the Old Norse word Teitr meaning cheerful and the Old English word leah menaing wood clearing. In this case the original bearers of the surname Tittley were named due to their close proximity to Taeta's wood clearing.

Early Origins of the Tittley family

The surname Tittley was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, before and after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Early History of the Tittley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tittley research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tittley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tittley Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Tittley are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Tittley include: Tetley, Tetlow, Tetlaw, Titley and others.

Early Notables of the Tittley family

More information is included under the topic Early Tittley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tittley family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Tittley or a variant listed above: Nicholas Tetlow settled in Virginia in 1635; James, John, Thomas, and William Tetlow arrived in Philadelphia between 1860 and 1880.

Contemporary Notables of the name Tittley (post 1700)+

  • Laurent J. "Larry" Tittley (b. 1953), Canadian CFL offensive lineman who played from 1976 to 1985

The Tittley Motto+

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Praemium virtutis honor
Motto Translation: Honor is the reward of virtue.


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