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.
Thank you very much for the background info. Never recall hearing anything about the name other than my mother telling me she knew her family had an Irish background. Hopefull one day to visit Ireland and maybe find a relative or two. Thanks again!
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