Cilliers

Cilliers is a surname of French Huguenot origin, prevalent primarily in South Africa. It is derived from the French word cellier, meaning "cellarer" or "keeper of the cellar," referring to someone who was responsible for the wine cellar or provisions in a monastery or large household. The surname indicates an ancestral occupation or place of residence. French Huguenots, persecuted for their Protestant faith in 17th-century France, fled to various parts of Europe and the world, including the Dutch Cape Colony (modern-day South Africa). The Cilliers family is among the prominent Huguenot families who settled in South Africa. Individuals with the surname Cilliers have contributed to various fields, including agriculture, business, academia, sports, and the arts, in South Africa and elsewhere. The surname can also be found in other countries where Huguenots emigrated.