1881–1899: early years thumb|The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York|alt=A multi-leveled brick building with many white-paned windows, with a skyscraper visible in the top right corner Cecil Blount DeMille was of paternal Dutch ancestry. His surname was spelled de Mil before his grandfather William added an "le" for "visual symmetry".
1881–1899: earLY yEaRS thumb|ThE AmERicaN acaDeMY oF dRAmAtic artS in neW yOrk|alT=a MuLTi-leVeled brick BUilDiNg WiTh manY White-paned WindOws, With A sKyscraPEr visiblE in the TOp rIgHT corNer cECIL BLOunT DEmille waS of PAteRnaL dUtCh AncestRY. HIS surNAmE was SPellED DE mil BeforE his grandFAthEr wiLliaM AdDed AN "lE" for "visuAl symmetry".