English nickname from Middle English littel, Old English lȳtel, for a small man (if not ironic) or to tell the younger of two bearers of the same name apart. Early records include Litle in 972. It also translates Irish Ó Beagáin 'descendant of Beagán', French Petit, German Klein and Native American names meaning 'little'.
Spellings and related forms: Litle (early form), le Lytle (early form).
A tiny bird fits a name that began as a nickname for someone small.
Most surnames have no single "family crest". In heraldry, a coat of arms belonged to one person and passed down one line of descent. Sites that sell "the Little coat of arms" usually show the arms of one historic family that shared the name. Ours is different on purpose: an original design built from what the name means, which any Little can own honestly.
Blankets: soft velveteen plush (100% polyester), printed on one side; may run up to 3 in. short of the listed size. Rugs: polyester chenille with hemmed edges and a coated backing, for indoor use. Both are printed in the USA (Georgia and North Carolina).
Name meanings come from the sources above, checked 2026-10. Where scholars disagree, we say so.