The last name Onillon is of French origin and specifically from the region of Brittany. It is derived from a topographic name for someone who lived near an elm tree or a name for someone who came from a place named "l'Onillon."
In Breton, 'onion' means elm and 'lonan' means long or distant. Therefore, the surname Onillon may refer to someone who lived near a long elm tree or at a location called l'Onillon, which could have been a specific farmstead, hamlet, or place of origin.
The name has several variations such as Olinon, Ollion, Onillon-Bertin, and Onillon-Cormier. Over time, due to spelling variations in surnames, different families could have developed the same last names even if they were not related to each other.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Onillon
The meaning and origin of the last name Onillon
The surname Onillon is of French origin, specifically from the region of Savoie in southeastern France. It is derived from a place name or occupational name. The name could have originated from several villages named "Onillon" or "Aunillon," found in the department of Isère and Savoie. Alternatively, it may be an occupation name for someone who worked as a miller, derived from the Old French word "moulin," meaning mill, combined with the suffix "-on," denoting a place of origin. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation have evolved due to linguistic changes and migration patterns.
Geographical distribution of the last name Onillon
The last name Onillon has its origins from the Basque region in northern Spain and southwestern France. Historically, it is most commonly found within these areas due to the high concentration of Basque populations. Within Spain, Navarra, Basque Country, and Gipuzkoa provinces are significant regions where the surname Onillon is prevalent. In France, the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region has a notable concentration of individuals bearing this last name. Additionally, there have been migrations from these areas to other parts of Europe, South America, and North America, resulting in smaller populations of Onillon descendants in various countries such as Argentina, United States, and Canada.
Variants and spellings of the last name Onillon
The surname Onillon can have several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, transcription, and regional pronunciation. Some possible variations include:
* O'Nillon (with the Irish prefix "O")
* Onyon (a more phonetic spelling of the French name)
* Unillon (with a capital "U" instead of "O")
* Onylohn (a less common alternative spelling)
* O'Neillon (another version with the Irish prefix "O")
It's also worth noting that the surname may have originated in France, where it could be a diminutive form of the name Othon or Odon. Over time, it has been brought to other parts of the world by French settlers and immigrants, leading to variations and spellings that reflect local customs and linguistic influences.
Famous people with the last name Onillon
The Onillon family is not widely recognized as a family of famous individuals. However, one notable person associated with the surname is François Onillon (born 1973), a French musician and songwriter who gained prominence as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Téléphone from 2006 to 2018. He replaced Philippe Katerine, who had taken over after original singer Corneille's departure in 1979. Additionally, there is Fabien Onillon (born 1967), a French athlete who competed in the long jump and triple jump events during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He won a bronze medal at the European Athletics Championships in 1990 and represented France at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Genealogical research on the last name Onillon
The surname Onillon is primarily found in France, particularly in the region of Brittany. One of the earliest known bearers of this name was Jean Onillon, who lived in the 16th century in the town of Lannion in Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany. The name is thought to be derived from a place name, possibly referring to a settlement near a river or a stream (from the Breton words "on" meaning water and "illen" meaning hill). Over time, variations of the spelling such as Ollion, Onillon-Bazil, and Onillon-Bazile have emerged. Notable individuals with this surname include Jean-Joseph Onillon (1867-1953), a French priest, and Louis Onillon (1902-1944), a Resistance fighter during World War II. The Onillons are part of the larger Breton family names that originated in the region and have a rich history tied to the unique cultural identity and language of Brittany.
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.
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