Sils History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Sils

What does the name Sils mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Sils comes from the baptismal name Silvester or Silvanus. During the middle Ages this personal name was quite popular, as it was borne by three popes. In the religious naming tradition surnames were bestowed in honor of religious figures or church officials. In Europe, the Christian Church was one of the most powerful influences on the formation of given names. Personal names derived from the names of saints, apostles, biblical figures and missionaries are widespread in most European countries. In the Middle Ages, they became increasingly popular because people believed that the souls of the deceased continued to be involved in this world. They named their children after saints in the hope that the child would be blessed or protected by the saint.

Early Origins of the Sils family

The surname Sils was first found in Northamptonshire where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Sils family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sils research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1637 is included under the topic Early Sils History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sils Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Sils were recorded, including Sill, Sille, Sills, Silles, Sell, Selle, Sells and many more.

Early Notables of the Sils family

More information is included under the topic Early Sils Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sils migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Sils family emigrate to North America:

Sils Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Sils, aged 25, who arrived in Missouri in 1848 1

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)