Surname Collie - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Collie: What does the surname Collie mean?
The surname Collie is of Scottish origin and is derived from multiple sources. One interpretation is that it comes from the Gaelic term "coille", meaning "wood". Hence, it could potentially refer to a person dwelling in or near a wood or forest. It could also be derived from a place name in Scotland. For example, Collie is the name of a parish in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Therefore, the surname Collie could have been a location-based surname for individuals originating from this region. It is also suggested to be an Anglicization of the Gaelic surname "Mac Colla", meaning "son of Colla". However, it's important to note that surname meanings can vary significantly based on historical and regional context. Thus, the exact meaning of the surname Collie may differ among individuals and families who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisCollie: Where does the name Collie come from?
The surname Collie is of Scottish origin, traditionally found in the Eastern region of Scotland, particularly Angus and Kincardineshire. It is believed to come from the Gaelic word “colla”, meaning hazel. The name might have denoted a person who lived in or near a hazel wood or grove. Some of the earliest instances of this surname can be traced back to the 15th century in Scotland.
Today, the surname Collie is found in many parts of the world, due to migration and expansion. People bearing this name can be found in various countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa, among others. However, it remains most common in Scotland. Notably, the distribution of the Collie surname in the United States is most significant in the states of Texas, California, and Florida. It is also quite common in Australia, particularly in the state of Victoria. Regardless of where they live, most bearers of the Collie surname are likely to be of Scottish ancestry.
Variations of the surname Collie
The surname Collie could have variations in the spelling such as Colley, Colly, Collee, Collay, Colliey, Colli. It is believed to have Old Norse, and more specifically Scottish origin, possibly coming from the name of place where people lived, such as Colley in Shropshire or Aberdeenshire or from Curley in Lancashire where coll meant "coal" in Old English and "ley" meant a clearing or meadow. Variations could also have emerged due to phonetic pronunciations, due to dialects and accents.
Other variations of the name could include Caulfield which may have evolved from Caufield, a name originating from Ayrshire and Renfrewshire in Scotland. This name may have originally referred to someone from a field ("feld") of stalks or stems ("cawl") in Middle English. Since many surnames evolved to signify one's profession, social status, or place of origin, the variations can provide fascinating insights into the history of the Collie family.
Looking at Irish origins, O'Collie can be traced back as a variant, although the prefix O would typically signify "grandson of" or "descendant of" in Gaelic. However, it's essential to research individual family lines for confirmation since origins and variants may differ among different families bearing the surname Collie.
Famous people with the name Collie
- Mark Collie: An American singer, songwriter and actor best known for his country music hits in the 1990s like "Even the Man in the Moon Is Crying" and "Born to Love You."
- Davey Boy Smith (born David John Smith): Better known by his ring name "The British Bulldog," Smith was a UK professional wrestler who was one-half of The British Bulldogs, along with Tommy Billington (Dynamite Kid). His wife's maiden name was Diana Hart-Collie.
- Robyn Collie (Robyn Bewersdorf): An American actress and model, she is largely noted for her softcore pornography career under name Heidi Honey.
- Peter Collie: An Australian professional photographer, especially recognized for his photographic essays which document Australian society.
- Andrew Collie: He was a physician, naval surgeon, and colonial official who served as acting Governor of the Colony of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Shepard Collie: A noted American painter whose works over the past decades have focused on the human figure, still life, and landscape.
- Dick Collie: A former professional New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented his country in several international matches. Please note that some people may be known as 'Collie' due to marriage or other non-biological relationships.