Last Name Lil

The surname "Lil" is likely of English and French origin. In England, it is a variant of the name "Lyle," which comes from the Old Norse "Leifur" meaning "eefr," combined with "leysr" or "lysr," meaning "meadow." The Normans introduced this name to England after their conquest in 1066. In France, the name could be a shortened form of various names containing "Lil-" as a prefix, such as Lilian, Lilibert, or Lilette. These names often have origins related to the Hebrew name Eliel, meaning "God is my God." The Normans also introduced these names to France, and they were later brought to England by emigrants from Normandy. The spelling variation of the surname "Lil" may be due to various factors such as regional dialects, transcription errors, or intentional alterations over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lil

The meaning and origin of the last name Lil

The surname Lil originates from Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark and Sweden. It is a patronymic name derived from the Old Norse personal name Leif or Liuf, which means "lofty" or "beloved". In some cases, it may also be a shortened form of the name Lilius or Liljegren, which are Swedish surnames meaning "lyle tree" or "lily tree", respectively. The surname Lil is relatively uncommon outside of Scandinavia but has been found among immigrants to other countries. In modern times, it can be seen as a surname in various parts of the world, often with different pronunciations and spellings due to transliteration or anglicization.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lil

The surname Lil is predominantly found in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Denmark and Sweden, due to its origin from Old Norse personal names such as Leif, Lili, or Liv. In Denmark, it ranks among the top 4,000 most common last names, with a higher concentration in regions like Jutland and Zealand. In Sweden, it is slightly less frequent but still present across various provinces. The name has also been found in Iceland, Norway, and Finland due to historical connections with Denmark and Sweden. Outside of Scandinavia, the surname Lil is relatively rare, although it can be found sporadically in other European countries, North America, and Australia, likely as a result of migration from Scandinavian nations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lil

The surname Lil has several variations and spellings. Some common forms include:

1. Lil - the original form, originating from Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Denmark.
2. Lille - a Norwegian variant of the name Lil.
3. Lill - an alternative spelling of Lil, which can also be found in some English-speaking countries.
4. Liel - a Latvian derivative meaning "big."
5. Lyle - an Anglicized version of Lil, often used as a given name as well as a surname.
6. De Lille - a French surname derived from Lil, meaning "of the little one."
7. Van de Lille - another Dutch or Afrikaans variation, meaning "from the little hill" or "from the little village."
8. Lilley - an English variant of Lyle, often used as both a given name and a surname.
9. DeLille - an Americanized version of De Lille, often found among French-speaking immigrants in the United States.

Famous people with the last name Lil

Notable individuals with the surname Lil include:

1. Lil Uzi Vert (Symere Woods), an American rapper and singer who gained fame with his hit songs such as "XO Tour Llif3" and "Money Longer".

2. Lil Yachty (Miles Parks McCollum), an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his distinctive vocal style and contributions to the cloud rap genre. His popular tracks include "Broken Hearts" and "One Night".

3. Lil Baby (Dominique Jones), another American rapper who rose to prominence with his mixtape "Harder Than Ever". His hit singles include "Drip Too Hard", "We Paid", and "My Turn".

4. Lil Durk (Demario Bailey), an American rapper from Chicago who is a member of the collective Only The Family (OTF). He has released several successful albums, such as "Signed to the Streets 3" and "Just Cause Y'all Waited 2".

5. Lil Tjay (Tione Merritt), a rising American rapper known for his hits like "F.N", "Brothers", and "Hold On". He has collaborated with artists such as Polo G, 6ix9ine, and Lil Uzi Vert.

Genealogical research on the last name Lil

The surname Lil originates from various regions, reflecting its diverse historical and cultural background. In Scandinavia, Lil is derived from the Old Norse personal name Leifr, meaning "relief" or "release." This name was often shortened to Ljófr, which evolved into Lil over time. In Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland and Ukraine, Lil is a variant of the Jewish surname Levin, derived from the Hebrew word lev (heart). The name may also be found among German-speaking populations as a variation of Leil, stemming from the Old High German Hlīw, meaning "hill." Regardless of its origin, the Lil surname has spread globally through migration and assimilation over centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Lil"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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