Surname Bolitho - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bolitho: What does the surname Bolitho mean?
The last name Bolitho originates from the Parish of Madron in Cornwall, England. The name is derived from the Cornish term 'bolis' which means 'dweller in a farmstead'. The name is usually thought to have been first used in the 13th Century and was a popular name amongst the farming community in Cornwall.
The Bolitho family has been resident in Cornwall for hundreds of years, with records showing them owning farms or working as fishermen and blacksmiths. The family was considered to be of some wealth and power in the area and members of the family were often given local offices.
The Bolitho name is associated with many places including the villages of Madron and Towednack in Cornwall, which contain monuments dedicated to the Bolitho family.
The name Bolitho is an old Cornish name and is a living reminder of Cornwall's ancient history and culture. It is a name with considerable prestige and is a reminder of the proud heritage of the people of Cornwall.
Order DNA origin analysisBolitho: Where does the name Bolitho come from?
The surname Bolitho is most commonly found in Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the Cornish language and is a combination of two words. The first part of this name, 'Pol', comes from the Cornish word 'poll' meaning 'pool', whilst the second part 'itho' is likely derived from words meaning 'the one'.
Due to the historical links between Cornwall and the sea, this combination of words reflects the maritime heritage of the surname. The name meaning 'the one by the pool' likely refers to a resident living by a specific pool or coastal location. This is supported by the surname being most commonly found in Cornwall, where there are still several coastal towns with the surname in modern times.
Today, the name Bolitho is still quite common in Cornwall. It is the 1,462nd most common name in England and Wales, with over 3,778 individuals recorded as having this surname in the 2011 census. The surname is also found in other countries such as Australia and New Zealand, where Cornish families settled during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Overall, the surname Bolitho remains quite common in Cornwall and can also be found in Australia and New Zealand. It reflects the region's maritime heritage and pays tribute to the Cornish language which has been spoken in the area for centuries.
Variations of the surname Bolitho
The surname Bolitho is derived from the Cornish word ‘bolledhow’ meaning ‘dweller at the farm near the small hill’. Variations of the surname include: Bolitho, Bollitho, Bollytho, Bowlythow, Bowllytho, Bowlythew, Bolalitho, and Bowllitho.
Bolitho is also a spelling variant for the Cornish surname Bolitho. The spelling Bolitho is used primarily in the United Kingdom. Other spellings and surnames of the same origin include Bolde, Bolditho, Boldytho, Boladitho, Boullythew,
Famous people with the name Bolitho
- Richard Bolitho: British admiral
- Jean Bolitho: British author
- Vivian Bolitho: Australian flautist
- William Bolitho: British journalist
- John Bolitho: Cornish sculptor
- Suzanna Bolitho: Australian actress
- Richard Bolitho Vivian: Member of the Australian parliament
- Francis Bolitho: Former mayor of the City of Townsville
- Jack Bolitho: Former Queensland state minister
- Arthur Bolitho: British theatre designer
- Francis Reginald John Bolitho: British World War I Victoria Cross recipient
- Elfreda Bolitho: Australian Indigenous rights activist
- Abel Bolitho: Cornish politician
- Eddie Bolitho: Former Australian representative cricketer
- Vivienne Bolitho: British portrait photographer