Meaning and origin
The last name Tuttle has its origins in England, particularly in the region of East Anglia. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Tóti" or "Totta," which means "cheerful" or "happy." Over time, this name evolved into the surname Tuttle, which spread throughout England and later found its way to other English-speaking countries through migration and emigration.
The longer story
It originated in England and has since spread to various parts of the world, including the United States. Here are the facts about the Tuttle surname:
The Tuttle surname is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Tota." The name "Tota" is believed to have meant "a cheerful or lively person," reflecting the positive connotations associated with the Tuttle name.
The earliest recorded instance of the Tuttle surname dates back to the 12th century in England, specifically in the county of Bedfordshire. From there, the surname spread to neighboring counties and eventually reached other parts of the country.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,267
Tuttle was the 1,267th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 27,751 people, about 9.0 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Tuttle
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Tuttle is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.