Last Name Illes

The surname Illes has multiple origins depending on the region. In Hungary, Illes is derived from a personal name meaning "island" in Old Hungarian and was likely a nickname for someone who lived on an island or had some association with one. In other regions, such as Spain, the surname Illes may be a variant of the Catalan/Spanish surname Iglesias, which also means "church" or "parish," and could have been given to someone who worked at or lived near a church. In this case, it might have originated from a location named after a local church, or it could be occupational, referring to a priest or someone employed by the church. In English-speaking countries, Illes may be an anglicized form of various foreign surnames with different origins. It is essential to research specific families and their histories for more accurate information on the origin of a particular Illes family name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Illes

The meaning and origin of the last name Illes

The surname Illes is of Hungarian origin, derived from the geographical name "Illéscsa," a place name in present-day Hungary that was first mentioned in historical records during the Middle Ages. The name Illés is thought to be derived from the Slavic element "il" meaning "rock" or "stone," and "csa" which was a common Hungarian suffix indicating settlement or estate, hence the original meaning of Illéscsa could have been "Rock Estate." Over time, as families migrated and settled in other regions, variations of the name emerged. In English-speaking countries, the surname Illes is one such variation that has become commonly used. It is a relatively uncommon surname worldwide but is more prevalent among Hungarian communities.

Geographical distribution of the last name Illes

The surname Illes is predominantly found in regions with historical ties to Hungary, as it originates from that country. In Hungary, it is most prevalent in counties like Komárom-Esztergom, Fejér, and Pest, reflecting the concentration of people carrying this name in the central and western parts of the country. Outside of Hungary, significant populations with the surname Illes can be found in other countries with a Hungarian diaspora, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where many Hungarians immigrated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to escape political instability or pursue economic opportunities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Illes

The surname Illes has multiple variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and translation, as well as changes over time. Some common variants include:

1. Ille: This is an alternative spelling that can be found in some historical records.
2. Iles: This variant, while not as common, is sometimes used and may be seen in genealogical databases or family trees.
3. Illesy: A less frequent Hungarian variation of the name.
4. Ilisch: A German variation that translates to 'Island' from the original Hungarian form.
5. Illyés: The Hungarian version, which is pronounced similar to the original spelling but with a unique Hungarian diacritic mark over the 'y'.
6. Ilyes: An informal anglicized version of the surname Illes or its Hungarian counterpart, Illyés.
7. Illsey: Another possible anglicized variant.
8. Illess: A phonetic spelling variation of the surname Illes, although it is less common and may not be recognized in formal settings.

Famous people with the last name Illes

Notable individuals with the surname Illes include:

1. John Illes (born 1939), an American astronomer who discovered several asteroids and comets. He is best known for co-discovering Shoemaker-Levy 9, a fragmented comet that collided with Jupiter in 1994.

2. Mihály Illés (1917–1983), a Hungarian poet and journalist, who played an active role in the Hungarian resistance against Nazi Germany during World War II. His poem "A szabadság" ("Freedom") became an important symbol of the anti-Nazi movement.

3. Éva Illés (born 1953), a Hungarian swimmer who won two Olympic gold medals and numerous world records in breaststroke events during her career in the 1960s and 1970s. She is considered one of the greatest female swimmers of all time.

4. Robert Illes (born 1952), a Hungarian-born Canadian mathematician, best known for his work on random graphs and percolation theory. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Genealogical research on the last name Illes

The surname Illes has roots traced back to Hungary, where it is derived from the word "illes," meaning island or peninsula, reflecting an early settler's origins. The family name Illes can also be found in other Central European countries due to historical migrations. In Hungary, one of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Miklos Illes, a notary public in the 13th century. The Illes family has produced notable figures across various fields over the centuries. Notably, Lajos Illés was a Hungarian physician who made significant contributions to cardiology, and Mihály Illés, a poet and journalist known for his works on social justice. In the United States, the name became more common due to immigrants arriving in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily from Hungary. Today, the Illes family has dispersed globally, with notable concentrations in Hungary, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Illes"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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