An excerpt from www.HouseOfNames.com archives copyright © 2000 -
2013 Where did the English Silles family come from? What is the
English Silles family crest and coat of arms? When did the
Silles family first arrive in the United States? Where did the
various branches of the family go? What is the Silles family
history?The name Silles was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon
culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It 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 c