Surname Tillinghost - Meaning and Origin
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Tillinghost: What does the surname Tillinghost mean?
The last name Tillinghost is believed to have Anglo-Saxon origins. It likely evolved from the name Telinghus, which was derived from the word ‘til’ meaning ‘tillage’ or ‘cultivation’. The suffix ‘host’ or ‘hut’ is assumed to refer to a farmstead, such as an olden-day hamlet.
Together, the name could mean ‘cultivation by a family’, as it was not uncommon for farms to be managed by families working together as a team. The name could also indicate that its original holders were farmers who lived in a small township of cottages and tilled the surrounding land.
The modern spelling of the name today is thought to be a corrupted version with a ‘l’ instead of a ‘t’ due to the influence of English phonetics during the medieval period. This was a common occurrence for many surnames and given names at the time.
Regardless of which version it holds, the surname Tillinghost expresses the occupation of the original name-bearers who tilled the land either for sustenance or to earn an income. It speaks to a long history of hard work and a commitment to providing for oneself and family. As a result, this surname continues to be carried proudly by many generations since.
Order DNA origin analysisTillinghost: Where does the name Tillinghost come from?
The last name Tillinghost is a fairly uncommon name, and there is no single geographic area in which it is especially concentrated. The name is most common in the United States, and specifically in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. According to the US Census Bureau from 2018 data, there are approximately 2,989 people with the surname Tillinghost living in the United States. The states with the greatest concentration of people with the last name Tillinghost are Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
Within Indiana, Tillinghost is most prevalent in the counties of Adams, Dekalb, LaGrange, and Wayne. In Michigan, the counties of Berrien, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Washtenaw have the highest number of Tillinghosts. Lastly, within Ohio, Montgomery, Summit, and Warren counties have the highest number of people with the last name Tillinghost.
The last name Tillinghost is also present in the UK with an estimated 395 individuals. While there does not appear to be any one particular region of the country with a higher concentration of Tillinghosts, a handful of counties do have a few dozen people with the name. These counties include Devon, Lancashire, London, West Yorkshire, and Wiltshire.
Outside of the United States and United Kingdom, people with the last name Tillinghost can be found in Canada, South Africa, and Germany. Overall, the prevalence of the last name Tillinghost is much lower than more popular names, though it can still be found in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Tillinghost
The surname Tillinghost has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. Common variants of Tillinghost include Tillinghast, Tillingast, Telinghast, and Tillinghust. Other spelling variations include Tillingest, Tillengest, Tilluntest, and Tilenthast. Similarly derived surnames include Tillman, Tillson, Tillotson, and Tilton.
Tillinghost is most likely of English origin, from the Middle English word "Tillunge". This word was used to describe someone who planted or tended a small garden. The "-host" element comes from the Old English suffix "hors", which was used to denote an individual who was involved in a particular craft or activity. It was also used to show that someone was an official or a hobbyist at the same time.
Tillinghost is found chiefly in the northern lands of England and Scotland, and is one of the most common surnames in this part of the United Kingdom. It is also found among individuals who trace their ancestry back to Ireland, especially in the western regions of the country.
Tillinghost families have spread to North America and other parts of the world over the centuries. Surnames of the same origin have also grown in popularity worldwide. Tillinghosts, Tillmans, Tillotson, and Tiltons can be found in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. It is likely that many more spelling variations of the surname exist in various parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Tillinghost
- Kelly Tillis, American country music singer and Songwriter
- Matt Tillinghast, American former political advisor and strategist
- Amanda Tillinghast, American poet and comedian
- Zach Tillinghast, American comedian and actor
- Kemberlee Tillinghast, Russian-born fashion designer and stylist
- James Tillinghast, former professional football player
- Tom Tillinghast, American filmmaker and producer
- Andrew Tillinghast, American financial theorist
- Mark Tillinghast, American film and television writer
- Richard Tillinghast, American poet and literary critic