Family name origins & meanings
- English : topographic name for someone who lived at the foot of a hill, or a habitational name from Underhill in Devon, named from Old English under ‘under’ + hyll, or from Underhill in Kent, named from Old English under + helde ‘slope’.
- John Underhill (c.1597–1672) was born in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England. His father was a mercenary in the Netherlands, and he himself became a cadet in the Prince of Orange’s guards. In 1630 he emigrated to Boston, MA, where he was appointed captain of militia. In 1664–65 he played a significant role in helping to bring the Dutch colony of New Netherland under English control.