The name Elliot has its origins in the ancient Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "Elias," which means "the Lord is my God." This name was later adopted by the Hebrew people and became Eliyahu or Elijah in English.

The earliest recorded use of the name Elliot dates back to the Middle Ages in England. It was originally a surname that emerged as a variant spelling of the name Elijah. Over time, the surname Elliot evolved into a given name in its own right.

In the 13th century, the name Elliot appeared in historical records as a surname. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Eliot of Naylesbourne, a landowner in Kent, England, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of 1197.

During the 16th century, the name gained popularity in Scotland, particularly among Protestant families who were inspired by the biblical figure Elijah. One notable bearer of the name during this period was Sir John Eliot, an English statesman and leading parliamentary critic of King Charles I. He was born in 1592 and died in 1632.

Another famous Elliot from history was George Augustus Elliot, a Scottish-born officer in the British Army. He was born in 1718 and is best known for his successful defense of Gibraltar during the Great Siege of Gibraltar from 1779 to 1783.

In the 19th century, the name Elliot was further popularized by the American writer Thomas Sterry Elliot, who was born in 1808. He is particularly known for his poetry and works on New England culture and history.

One of the most celebrated figures with the name Elliot is the American poet T.S. Eliot, born in 1888. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential poets of the 20th century and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948. His most famous works include "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," "The Waste Land," and "Four Quartets."

Other notable individuals with the name Elliot include Elliot Richardson, an American lawyer and politician who served as Attorney General under President Richard Nixon, and Elliot Ness, the famous American Prohibition agent who led the team that brought down the notorious gangster Al Capone.