Ellis

Background:  This English name is numerous only in Dublin and Uister, where it is particularly common in Co. Antrim. The Hebrew name Elijah was made in Greek Elias and this personal name was very popular in medieval England. It became in Old English Elys or Elis and this came to be the basis of the surname Ellis. It is fairly common in both Scotland and Ireland from about the thirteenth century onwards but most in Ulster arrived in the post-Plantation period.

Those of the name Ellison in Ireland are given largely to be families of English descent. The works of Woulfe may differ from this, but we have no records to indicate otherwise. The family is found here in Ireland from the 17th century onward. The 19th century birth index places the family in counties Antrim and Down. Several families of the name can be found in and around Belfast in modern times and we find mention of the name in Kilkenny as well. The name Ellis is found in Dublin and Antrim in the 19th century.

Name Variations:  Ellis, Ellison, Elison, Elliss, Ellys, Elis, Eliss, Elliason, Ellice, Elliff, Allice.

References:
One or more of the following publications has been referenced for this article.
The General Armory; Sir Bernard Burke - 1842.
A Handbook of Mottoes; C.N. Elvin - 1860.
Irish Families, Their Names, Arms & Origins; Edward MacLysaght - 1957.
The Surnames of Ireland; Edward MacLynsaght - 1957.
The Book of Irish Families Great and Small.
The Book of Irish Families, Great & Small by Michael C. O'Laughlin

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