- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: unknown
Tully is the English form of the Roman family name, Tullius, which is derived from the praenomen, Tullus, of an unknown meaning. It is likely Etruscan and its meaning has been lost. Other suggestions include that it is from the Latin, tullius (spout of water; gush of blood) or the Latin term, tollere, meaning “to lift,” allegedly referring to the act of a Roman father lifting their newborn son and claiming him.
A notable bearer is Marcus Tullius Cicero.
It was also borne by several male and female saints.
Alternately, Tully has been used on females occasionally, mainly as a diminutive form of Petula.
Male forms
- Tulli (Catalan)
- Tullie (French, this is a unisex name in France, though it is rare)
- Tullió (Hungarian)
- Tullo (Italian)
- Tulio (Italian, Spanish)
- Tullio (Italian)
- Tuliusz, Tulliusz (Polish)
- Túlio (Portuguese)
Female forms
- Túl·lia (Catalan)
- Tullie (French)
- Tulia (Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Spanish)
- Tullia (Italian, Latin)
- Tulla (Italian)
- Túlia (Portuguese)
Sources