Romilly

What does Romilly mean?

Romilly is a distinctive British name drawn from a French place name and surname. Its oldest element is thought to be the Latin personal name Romilius, so its meaning is best understood as a place associated with, or belonging to, Romilius.

With its soft ending and brisk opening, Romilly feels both polished and playful. It has an old-world, slightly aristocratic air, yet remains uncommon enough to feel fresh. The name is used for girls and has also appeared as a masculine and unisex surname-style choice.

Historical Context

Romilly began as a surname linked to places in northern France called Romilly. Such place names developed from the Latin personal name Romilius with a local place-name ending, meaning an estate or settlement connected with that person. The surname came to Britain after the Norman period and was later adopted occasionally as a given name. In modern British usage, Romilly is most often encountered as a feminine name, though its surname history gives it a naturally unisex quality.