<P> Little is a surname in the English language . The name is derived from the Middle English littel , and the Old English lȳtel , which mean `` little '' . In some cases the name was originally a nickname for a little man . In other cases , the name was used to distinguish the younger of two bearers of the same personal name . Early records of the name include : Litle , in 972 ; Litle , in about 1095 ; and le Lytle , in 1296 . The surname has absorbed several non English - language surnames . For example , Little is sometimes a translation of the Irish Ó Beagáin , meaning `` descendant of Beagán '' . Little can also be a translation of the French Petit and Lepetit , as well as other surnames in various languages with the same meaning ( `` little '' ) , especially the German name Klein during World War II . </P>
<P> Little is a surname in the English language . The name is derived from the Middle English littel , and the Old English lȳtel , which mean `` little '' . In some cases the name was originally a nickname for a little man . In other cases , the name was used to distinguish the younger of two bearers of the same personal name . Early records of the name include : Litle , in 972 ; Litle , in about 1095 ; and le Lytle , in 1296 . The surname has absorbed several non English - language surnames . For example , Little is sometimes a translation of the Irish Ó Beagáin , meaning `` descendant of Beagán '' . Little can also be a translation of the French Petit and Lepetit , as well as other surnames in various languages with the same meaning ( `` little '' ) , especially the German name Klein during World War II . </P>
where does the last name little come from
where does the last name little come from
Middle English littel , and the Old English lȳtel
Middle English littel , and the Old English lȳtel