Surname Littles - Meaning and Origin
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Littles: What does the surname Littles mean?
The surname Littles is of English origin and it is said to derive from a nickname for a small man, or for the smaller of two bearers of the same personal name. It is likely from the Old English "lytel", which means little in modern English. This would essentially make the nickname and by extension, the surname, a descriptor of a person's size or stature. This was a common practice in historical naming traditions, particularly in England. It's important to note that the name might also refer to age, where it was used to distinguish between a father and son having the same first name, the term "little" would refer to the younger or smaller individual. The surname Littles may also denote someone who lived in or near a small settlement, with the term "little" referring to the size of the settlement. Its variations include Little, Lytle, Littel, and Litle among others. Today, the surname Littles is found in many English-speaking countries around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisLittles: Where does the name Littles come from?
The surname Littles is of Scottish origin, possibly derived from the Scottish place name Little, which is located in the border county of Roxburghshire. It could also be a diminutive form of Little, indicating "son of Little". The “s” at the end often reflects this familial connection. However, it may be an occupational name for one who is little in size, such as a “little servant”.
The Littles family reached considerable prominence in Scotland, particularly in the region of Roxburghshire and Dumfriesshire.
Today, the surname Littles is found in many English-speaking countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. According to various census data, the highest concentrations of Littles are in the United States followed by England. Within the U.S., it is more commonly found in states like Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. Therefore, while the surname is of Scottish origin, the majority of people with this surname are now based in North America. However, it must be noted that the frequency of the surname is still relatively low compared to other surnames.
Variations of the surname Littles
The surname Littles is of Scottish origin and can be traced back to Picts, an ancient Scottish tribe. Variations of the surname Littles provide a fascinating glimpse into the lineage of this ancient family.
The surname can be found spelled many different ways as scribes and church officials often recorded a name as it was pronounced. This lead to significant variations and these include Little, Lyttle, Littel, Littell, Lyttel, Lyttell, Litle, Lite, Lyte, Litill, and many more.
There are also numerous surnames that have the same origin as Littles. Some of these surnames include Littlejohn, Littleboy, Littlegirl, Littlefield, Littlefair, Littleproud, Littlepage, Littleford, Littlewood, Littlechild, and Littlemore.
The surname Littles is also associated with Clan Little, a Scottish clan that originated in the Borders region of Scotland. Over time, the surname spread across several English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand. Overall, Littles and its variants are relatively uncommon names today but hold a rich history and heritage.
Famous people with the name Littles
- Little Richard, famous American singer, songwriter, and musician
- DeShawn Little, a former American football offensive lineman
- Brandon Little, a former American football running back
- Lauren Elizabeth Littles, a singer, dancer, model, and actress
- Ernie Littles, a former American football defensive end
- George Littles, an American football wide receiver
- Dan Littles, a former Major League Baseball player
- Kristian Littles, a professional basketball player
- Robert Littles Jr., a freelance journalist
- Linda Littles, an American politician from California
- Tony Littles, former American professional wrestler
- Thomas Littles, a former college basketball player
- Will Little, a former American football wide receiver
- Jevon Littles, a professional basketball player
- A. G. Littles, an American football coach