collis

Collis is a Latin noun meaning hill, knoll, or elevated ground. In classical Latin it described a small hill or mound and is the source of various toponymic elements in Western languages. The plural form is colles.

In historical geography and archaeology, collis appears in scholarly descriptions of landscapes and fortifications situated on elevated terrain. It occurs in ancient inscriptions and texts that record Roman-era settlements or features on hills, and its usage helps describe the topography of places described in historical sources.

As a surname, Collis is of English origin and typically derives from a topographic name for someone who lived on or near a hill. It is attested in English records from the medieval period onward and remains in use today.

Collis also occurs as a place-name element in modern geographic usage, particularly in regions with Latin or Romance-language influence, where it may appear alone or as part of compound names.