The surname Quillere is believed to have French origins. It comes from the Old French word "cuiller" which means "spoon." It could have been an occupational name for someone who was a spoon maker or a metonymic occupational name for a scribe or secretary, as quills were commonly used for writing before the invention of fountain pens. However, it's important to note that surnames often evolved with variations due to spelling errors, phonetic changes, regional dialects, and other factors during the Middle Ages. Therefore, the exact origin may vary based on specific lineages.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Quillere
The meaning and origin of the last name Quillere
The surname Quillere is of French origin, specifically from the region of Normandy. It is derived from a place name or an occupational name, indicating that it was originally a locality where a person resided or worked, or that the individual held a specific occupation. The name could be associated with various locations in France, such as Quillères in Calvados, or it could have originated from an Old French word "quiller," meaning "to plume" or "feather," which might suggest an occupational connection to feathers or birds for a craftsperson or trader. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name may have varied as families migrated and assimilated into different cultures, leading to numerous variations in its current forms.
Geographical distribution of the last name Quillere
The last name Quillere is primarily distributed across France, particularly in the northern regions such as Picardy and Normandy. It is also found in significant numbers in the neighboring Wallonia region of Belgium. Additionally, there are smaller clusters of individuals with the surname Quillere in other French-speaking countries like Switzerland, Canada (specifically Quebec), and some African countries where French colonization has had a historical influence, such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Haiti. The distribution of this surname reflects the historical migration patterns of the French people and their cultural and linguistic influences.
Variants and spellings of the last name Quillere
The surname Quillere has several variants and spellings due to historical and regional differences in transcription practices. Some common variations include:
1. Quillier - This is an alternative spelling that maintains the original French 'e' at the end of the name, which can sometimes be dropped or replaced with an 'a' or 'i'.
2. Quillar - A slightly altered spelling that replaces the final 'e' with an 'a', a common transformation in many surnames during the Middle Ages.
3. Killere - This variant represents a possible Anglicized version of the original French name, as the initial 'q' was sometimes replaced with 'k' when English settlers encountered it.
4. Killeur - Another Anglicized form, where the final 'e' is dropped and the 'll' combination is replaced with 'lh', a common Anglo-Norman pronunciation of double 'l'.
5. Quyler - This may be another Anglicized version, with the initial 'q' replaced with 'qy', potentially to make it easier for English speakers to pronounce.
6. Cuyler - Another possible Anglicization, where the name is simplified by dropping the initial 'q' and replacing it with 'c'.
7. Quiller - A more modern spelling, where the initial 'q' is replaced with 'qu', which has become a common way to represent the sound in English orthography.
Famous people with the last name Quillere
Notable individuals with the surname Quillere include:
1. Pierre Quilliere (1826-1904), a French painter and printmaker known for his work in lithography, which included landscape and city views, as well as historical and allegorical subjects.
2. Daniel Quillevere (born 1975), a French football referee who has officiated various matches in the Ligue 1, UEFA Champions League, and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
3. Claude Quillere (1906-1984), a French composer and conductor who worked extensively in radio and film, composing music for over 50 films between 1937 and 1967.
4. Julien Quillere (born 1989), a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for French Ligue 2 club Clermont Foot.
5. Jean-Louis Quillere (1933-2016), a French professor of law and a specialist in international economic law, known for his contributions to the field of trade law.
Genealogical research on the last name Quillere
The surname Quillere is of French origin and is derived from various places named Quierzy or Quincy in France. One of the earliest known records of the name dates back to the 13th century, with Adam de Quercia mentioned in the "Rotuli de Hundredis" of 1279. The family may have migrated during the Huguenot exodus in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, as several Quilleres are found in England around this time. In North America, the surname can be traced back to Jacques Quillere who settled in Louisiana in 1722. The Quillers moved westward with subsequent generations, and notable Quillere descendants include Henry Clay Quillere, a Minnesota state legislator, and Pauline Quilleré, a French novelist. Variations of the name include Quillary, Quivery, and others due to spelling variations during different periods and in various regions.
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