Surname Lillifant - Meaning and Origin
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Lillifant: What does the surname Lillifant mean?
The last name Lillifant is derived from the Old French phrase l’enfant, which means “the child”. It is also thought to be derived from an old French word lillifée, meaning “sprightly” or “lively”. This surname is believed to have been originally carried by a family that was considered to be of higher social rank than other families, perhaps because they were thought to have distinguished and lively children.
The Lillifants were once a powerful family in medieval France, which is reflected in the armorial devices that have been attributed to them. In one instance, the name Lillifant was associated with a cornucopia filled with fruit, which may symbolize good fortune and prosperity. The surname has several possible variant spellings such as Lilifant, Lyllifant, Lylifant and Lyliffant.
The surname is not as common today as it was in past centuries. However, it is still quite popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries. The Lillifant name is even prominent in various Native American tribes in the U.S., including the Choctaw, the Cherokee, and the Pueblo tribes.
In France, there still exist families bearing the name, although it is far less common than in other countries. In this case, the name is most likely derived from a variation of l’enfant, and may still represent distinguished families of former generations.
Order DNA origin analysisLillifant: Where does the name Lillifant come from?
The last name Lillifant is most common today in North America and Europe, with the largest concentrations of the surname found in England and the United States. Records of the last name Lillifant date back to medieval times, when the name was derived from a patronymic name meaning “son of Lilliffe”, which is thought to be a Norman personal name composed of the elements liel and fon.
In the United States, the last name Lillifant is most commonly seen in areas with strong German heritage, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. There is a smaller number of Lillifants in the west of the country, specifically California, Oregon, and Washington.
In Europe, the surname is most common in England, where it is believed that it was first adopted by an individual called Lilliffe, who was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It is also believed to have been adopted by Anglo-Saxon settlers who immigrated to Britain.
Today, there are an estimated 1,000 families carrying the Lillifant surname throughout the world. This includes around 500-600 families in the United States, including those of German and British ancestry. Further, the surname is believed to be one of the oldest names in Britain, having been used since the 13th century.
Variations of the surname Lillifant
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Lillifant include: Lilliford, Lillyfant, Lillifaunt, Lilliford, Lillyford, Lilifort, Lillifore, and Lillyfort.
Lillifant is an English language surname of wives and daughters of Welsh and Irish families. It is derived from a diminutivized form of the name Lillian, a feminine name derived from the Latin name "Lilium" meaning Lily.
The spelling changed over time, influenced by the language it was being written in. For example, during the Tudor period, when the Official Reform of the English Language began, written English shifted towards a more spelling-basedwritten form, leading to names such as Lilliford, Lillyfant, and Lillifaunt.
During the Victorian era, the influence of the Welsh language also affected the spelling of the name, leading to variants such as Lillifore and Lillyfort.
Today, there are still many variations of Lillifant, and all version of the name—spelling, variations, and surnames—all share the same origin. As well, some bearers of the last name may also be linked to other sources. Some bearers may have adapted the last name from a location with the same spelling, while others may have adopted the name from another region.
Famous people with the name Lillifant
- Jeff Lillifant: professional actor and stuntman based in the United Kingdom.
- Jonathan Lilliffanty: professional jockey in the UK who has recently been successful in a number of races.
- Malik Lillifant: a former English professional footballer who played for Leeds United in the mid-90s.
- Pat Lillifant: an American actress known for her roles in horror films such as Amityville and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
- Cynthia Lillifant: a prominent British artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries around the world.
- Justin Lillifant: well-known American producer and musician signed to Universal Music Group.
- John Lillifant: British politician who served in the House of Commons from 1979 to 1997.
- Mark Lillifant: a highly successful English banker who has held a number of top-level positions at major financial institutions.
- Antony Lillifant: a proud British entrepreneur who has successfully managed and grown a number of businesses in the software industry.
- Paul Lillifant: a respected British criminal barrister who has been involved in high-profile cases throughout Europe.