Dillard
An old English surname that likely began as a nickname or occupational name, and may also reflect a place-based origin in some cases.
The #1,130 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 9,953 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Dillard is usually explained as an English surname with an uncertain origin. It may come from a medieval personal nickname or occupational byname built from older French and English word forms, though the exact source is not securely established. In some cases it may also be a variant or altered form of a place-related name that was later respelled in English. Because the history is not fully clear, the name is best treated as having a mixed or uncertain origin rather than one fixed derivation.
History
The surname is found in England and later becomes established in the United States, where it is now fairly common. American bearers likely descend from multiple independent family lines, since the name’s uncertain origin makes separate developments possible. It is also seen in various spellings and may sometimes overlap with related surnames that were simplified or altered over time.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The name is uncommon enough in historical records that even major surname dictionaries often treat it cautiously, which is a good clue that its exact origin is not settled.
Notable people named Dillard
- Flo Rida (b. 1979)
Sourced from Wikidata; linked to their Wikipedia page.