Virgilius is a Medieval Latin form of Vergilius, the Roman family name famously borne by the poet Virgil. The spelling was altered by association with Latin virgo 'maiden' or virga 'wand', reflecting folk-etymological reinterpretation in the Middle Ages.
Etymology
The root of Virgilius is the Latin Vergilius, of uncertain meaning. Some scholars suggest a possible connection with the Latin virga 'young shoot' or 'wand', but this remains speculative. The 1st-century BC poet Publius Vergilius Maro—commonly known as Virgil in English—made the name famous. Over time, the spelling varied, with the form Virgilius arising in Medieval Latin due to etymological confusion with words like virgo.
History and Usage
During the Middle Ages, Virgil's Aeneid and other works were highly esteemed, and the poet was often viewed as a sage or proto-Christian. The name Virgilius was used throughout medieval Europe, especially in clerical and scholarly contexts. It appears in Latin documents and manuscripts, sometimes referring to the poet himself or to individuals named after him.
Related forms
Variants and cognates of Virgilius abound across European languages: Vergil and Virgil in English and Romanian, Virgile in French, Virgilio in Spanish, and Virgilijus in Lithuanian. As a given name, Virgil became popular in the English-speaking world from the 19th century onward, while Virgilius remains largely a historical or Latinized form.
Notable Bearer
By far the most famous bearer of the root name is Publius Vergilius Maro (70–19 BC), the Roman poet of the Augustan period, author of the Eclogues, Georgics, and the epic Aeneid. His works were central to Latin education and heavily influenced Western literature, from Dante to the present day.
Sources: Wikipedia — Virgil