Surname Carlisle - Meaning and Origin
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read moreCarlisle: What does the surname Carlisle mean?
The surname Carlisle is of English origin, derived from the city of Carlisle in Cumbria, England. The city's name in Old Norse was "Karlsvik," with "karl" meaning "free man" and "vik" meaning "bay" or "settlement," thus possibly referring to a settlement of free men. Alternatively, the city's earlier Celtic name, "Luguvalium," might be the source, with "Luguval-" referring to the Celtic god Lug and "-ium" being a common ending for Roman settlements. The surname thus might mean "settlement of Lug." Over time, people from the city of Carlisle moved to other places, and their new neighbors would refer to them as "the Carlisle's," eventually leading to the surname's adoption. The name Carlisle can also be found in Scotland, where it often referred to someone from the city in England.
Order DNA origin analysisCarlisle: Where does the name Carlisle come from?
The surname Carlisle has its origins in the British Isles, specifically from the city of Carlisle in the county of Cumbria in North West England. The name is derived from the Old Norse words 'Karli' and 'by', meaning 'Karl's city', or in the Celtic language, it means 'fortified city'.
Despite its British origins, the surname is now distributed all over the English-speaking world, but principally in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. A significant number of people with this surname can be found in particular in Pennsylvania, California and Texas in the US, reflecting patterns of early migration. The Carlisle family history was found in the USA, the UK and Canada, between 1840 and 1920.
The name was often bestowed upon individuals who hailed from the city of Carlisle. Over time, it transitioned from a place name to a surname. Like other surnames, it was passed down through generations to become a common family name. It is also used as a first name in some instances.
Variations of the surname Carlisle
The surname Carlisle has a few variations in spellings including Carlyle, Carlysle, Carlile, Carleil, Carliell, and Carlielle. The surname originally derived from the city of Carlisle in Cumbria, England. Carlisle was named by the Romans as Luguvalium, which transformed over the centuries to its modern form. Over time, families adopting the surname spelt it in various ways.
Other variations could be derived from the first name Carlyle, which is typically a male given name of Old English origin spelling Karli, which is also similar to the Old Norse name Kári meaning "free man". Due to spelling inconsistencies in various records, the name could be found as Carlyll, Carleill, or Carolus in Latin records.
Despite having the same term, Carlisle in England and Carlisle in Pennsylvania, USA are not directly related. Yet, many people might have adopted the surname Carlisle after migrating to the USA. Variations of the surname are also prominent in Scotland due to geographic and cultural proximity of Carlisle to the Scottish borders. Surnames derived from place names usually varied by region and community making numerous versions of the same surname possible.
Famous people with the name Carlisle
- Belinda Carlisle: An American singer-songwriter who gained worldwide fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's, one of the most successful all-female bands in history.
- Bob Carlisle: An American Christian singer known for his hit song "Butterfly Kisses".
- Kitty Carlisle: An American actress, opera singer, and spokeswoman for the arts. She is best remembered for her long-running stint on the panel game show "To Tell the Truth".
- Carlisle Floyd: An American opera composer, although Floyd is his first name, he is sometimes mentioned with Carlisle as if it were his last name.
- Cliff Carlisle: An American country and blues musician, active in the 1920s and 1930s.
- Mary Carlisle: An American actress and singer known for her roles in Hollywood films in the 1930s.
- Ian Carlisle: A former professional footballer who played as a defender in the English Football League.
- Peter Carlisle: An American politician who served as the 13th Mayor of Honolulu, from 2010 to 2013.
- Elsie Carlisle: An English singer and actress known for her recording during the 1920s and 1930s.
- Ryne Carlisle: A former American football player in the National Football League.
- Rick Carlisle: An American professional basketball coach and former player who currently coaches the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.