7,413 Global Bill Family Members

Bill Family History

Recorded as Bill, Bille the diminutive Billie, and possibly others, this is an English surname. It has two possible origins. Firstly it may derive from the Olde English pre 7th Century "bil", meaning a sword or halberd, and hence somebody called Bil after the sword or possibly as a nickname of occupation for one who made such weapons. Secondly it may be a form of the Norman-French given name William, although this is unlikely as the nickname as Bill does not seem to be recorded before the15th century. The surname was first recorded in the latter half of the 12th Century (see below), and other early recordings include: Sewinus Bille, in the Assize Court Rolls of Warwickshire in 1221, whilst Willelmus filius Bille, appears in the Subsidy Tax Rolls of Yorkshire in 1308...