The surname Ella has multiple origins across different cultures. In English-speaking countries, it can be a diminutive form of Eleanor, which originates from the Old French name Alienor, and ultimately derived from the Germanic name Aeldilindis. In Italian, Ella is a variant of Elena or Helen, names that have Greek origins, with Helen being associated with the epithet "helene" meaning bright, shining light. In some cases, Ella might also be used as a surname due to various factors such as geographical origin, patronymic (named after a father), or occupational roots. However, determining the exact origins for each individual case may require further research and context.
The surname Ella is primarily of English and Scottish origin. It is derived from various sources, with three main possibilities. Firstly, it could originate as a pet form of names beginning with "E" such as Elizabeth or Ellen. Secondly, it might have been a topographic name for someone who lived by a hill (Old Norse 'hellr'), as 'hell' in Old Norse and 'holl' in Middle English meant a hollow or hill. Lastly, Ella could also be a variant of the medieval female personal name Aeluua, composed of the elements 'aelu' meaning noble or all and 'wealh' meaning foreigner or stranger, thus implying 'noble stranger'. Over time, this surname has spread across various English-speaking countries and is now prevalent in many parts of the world.
The surname Ella is predominantly found in African and Caribbean regions, particularly among communities of West African descent. In Africa, it is most prevalent in countries such as Nigeria, where it is a variant of the Yoruba name "Ola" meaning wealth. In the Caribbean, Ella can be found among Jamaican populations, often with roots tracing back to West African slave trade. Additionally, there are notable instances of the surname Ella in the Philippines, particularly in the Visayan regions, where it is derived from the Filipino name "Ella" meaning beautiful or kind. Furthermore, Ella can also be found among the Scottish and Irish populations, where it originates from the Gaelic name Ó hÉalaighthe, meaning descendant of Healey. However, its distribution in these regions is relatively less common compared to its prevalence in African and Caribbean communities.
The surname Ella can have various spellings and variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include:
* Ella: This is the most common spelling, originating from several sources including a Scottish name derived from the Old Norse word "helr" meaning hidden or graveside, and a medieval English nickname for someone who was eloquent or graceful.
* Ailla: An alternate spelling that may have origins in the Old Norse language as well.
* Alla: A shorter variant of Ella, which is also a common given name in several languages including Arabic, Finnish, and Scandinavian.
* Elias (or Elijah): In some cases, Ella may be a diminutive or nickname for the masculine given name Elias or Elijah. This connection is especially strong among Sephardic Jews and in Latin America.
* Eliya: A variant spelling of Elias, which may also have led to the surname Ella.
* Elia: Another variant spelling of Elias, which can also result in the surname Ella.
* Ellias: A modern variation on the name Elias that could potentially lead to the surname Ella as well.
* Elliott: Originally a Scottish surname derived from Elias, it has also become a common given name in English-speaking countries and can occasionally be found as a surname.
These variations and spellings of the surname Ella reflect its complex history and its origins in multiple languages and cultural groups.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Ella include:
1. Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), an American jazz vocalist often referred to as the "First Lady of Song" and one of the most popular jazz artists of the 20th century. Known for her scat singing, she won 13 Grammy Awards throughout her career.
2. Ella Jenkins (1924-2008), an American folk singer, songwriter, educator, and recording artist who is considered one of the pioneers in children's music. She was a five-time Grammy Award winner.
3. Jill Ella Wallace (born 1966), a British author and screenwriter, best known for her work on the children's television series "Postman Pat."
4. Ella Yelich-O'Connor, better known by her stage name Lorde (born 1996), is a New Zealand singer-songwriter who gained international recognition with her breakthrough single "Royals" in 2013. She has won two Grammy Awards and multiple other accolades.
5. Ella Mai (born 1994), an English singer, songwriter, and model who rose to fame after the release of her self-titled debut EP in 2016. Her hit single "Boo'd Up" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2018.
The surname Ella, while less common, has a rich history and various origins. Originating from Old Norse, it was initially a patronymic form of the personal name Eilif or Elias, meaning "God is my oath" or "the Lord is my God." This name was predominantly found in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Norway and Sweden.
In England, the name Ella emerged as a variant of the Norman-French Ailla, a form of the Germanic Ealdhelm, meaning "old helmet" or "noble helmet." The name became widespread after the Norman Conquest in 1066, when many Normans settled in England.
In Portugal, Ella is a variant of the Spanish name Elias and has been present since the Moorish invasions in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. Over time, this surname spread across Europe due to migrations and family lineage. Today, the Ella surname can be found in various countries such as England, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.
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surnames > ell
The last name "Ell" is believed to have originated from England. It is a topographical surname derived from the Old English word "ael," which means 'noble.' The name may have been ...
surnames > ella-obiang
The surname Ella-Obiang is of African origin, specifically from Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The name "Obiang" is a common surname among the Bubi people in Equatorial Guinea, who w...
surnames > ellah
The last name "Ellah" is of African origin, specifically from Nigeria. It is a common surname among the Igbo people of Nigeria. The name may have various meanings and significance,...
surnames > ellahei
The last name "Ellahei" is of uncertain origin and does not have a known specific meaning in the English language. It may be of foreign or non-English origin.
surnames > ellahib
The last name "Ellahib" appears to have Arabic origins. It is likely a variant of the name "Allah ibn," which means "God's son" in Arabic.
surnames > ellaicy
The surname Ellaicy appears to have Arabic origins. It is likely derived from the personal name 'Ali', which means "high" or "exalted". This surname is common in various Arabic-spe...
surnames > ellaja
The surname Ellaja is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the given name Allah, meaning "God." It is a common surname in Arabic-speaking countries.
surnames > ellali
The surname Ellali is of Arabic origin and is derived from the Arabic given name 'Ali', which means "exalted" or "sublime". This name is a common variant of the name Muhammad Ali (...
surnames > ellama-manalang
The last name "Ellama Manalang" is of Filipino origin. It likely comes from the Philippines, where surnames are often derived from ancestral names, occupations, localities, or phys...
surnames > ellana
The last name "Ellana" is of Finnish origin, derived from the given name "Ella," which means "light" or "torch." It is a common surname in Finland and may have originated as a patr...
surnames > ellangal
The last name "Ellangal" appears to have origins in the region of India. It is likely of Indian or South Asian descent.
surnames > ellapen
The surname Ellapen is of Indian origin and is commonly found among Indian Tamil and Telugu communities. It is likely derived from the Tamil word "ellai" which means boundary or bo...
surnames > ellappan
The last name "Ellappan" originated from India. It is a South Indian surname that is commonly found among Tamil-speaking communities.
surnames > ellarinas
The origin of the last name "Ellarinas" is likely Greek, derived from the personal name "Elarina" or a variation of the name "Helen."
surnames > ellathil
The last name "Ellathil" is of Indian origin, specifically from the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is most likely derived from a combination of the given name "Ella" and the s...