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Type Surname (from occupation)
Usage English
Pronounced Pron. BAY-liss  [key]
Other Forms FormsBayliss, Bayless, Baylles, Bailess, Baillis,

Meaning & History

Derived from the Middle English 'bail(l)i', a development of the Old French 'baillis'. In Scotland the word survives as 'bailie', the title of a chief magistrate for a part of a county or barony. The word survives in England as 'bailiff', an officer who serves writs and summonses for the court.
Added 4/15/2016 by KathosAnnora
Edited 3/4/2021 by Frollein Gladys