Surname Mallett - Meaning and Origin
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Mallett: What does the surname Mallett mean?
The surname Mallett is of French origin and derived from the Old French word “maillet”, which means ‘small hammer’. The name was originally given to someone who wielded such a hammer in their craft or job, likely a woodworker or soldier. So, Mallett is an occupational surname. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from a nickname for a forceful person, or symbolically for someone with a forceful personality. During the middle ages, it became common for families to assume a surname in France, which then passed down through generations. It is also possible that some branches of the family acquired the name through living in a place called Mallet in France. Due to variations in regional dialects and spelling conventions over time, the name has several variants including Malet, Malott, and Mallot.
Order DNA origin analysisMallett: Where does the name Mallett come from?
The surname Mallett is of French origin, deriving from the Old French term "maillet," which means "hammer." It is considered a metonymic occupational surname for someone who made or used mallets or might have been given to a person who was thought to resemble a hammer in some way. The surname was first recorded in Suffolk, England where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor during the medieval times post the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The surname distribution data suggests that the last name Mallett is most common in England and the United States today. In England, it is most frequently found in Devon, while in the US, it is prevalent in Maine. It also has a significant presence in Australia, Canada, and France. Despite its French origins, Mallett’s usage in France is not as widespread as in English-speaking countries, which may be due to the Huguenot diaspora which led to significant migration of French Protestants to English-speaking countries in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Variations of the surname Mallett
The surname Mallett has French roots, originating from the old French term "maillet," meaning "mallet" or "hammer". Like many surnames with centuries of history, Mallett has several variations which have appeared over time, often differing in their spelling, pronunciation, or both. These variants often originated due to misspellings, regional dialects, and the transition between languages.
Some common spelling variants of Mallett include Mallet, Malett, Malott, Malloch, Malit, Mallit, and Mallatt. There are even some variants which vary significantly more in spelling, such as Malget and Malgieri. More phonetically-oriented variants also exist, such as Mellet and Mellott, which are particularly common in areas where English is spoken.
Mallett might also be used interchangeably with similar sounding surnames with different origins such as the Scottish-originated Mollett.
For those tracing genealogy, it's vital to consider all these variants, as historical records often contain spelling inconsistencies.
Famous people with the name Mallett
- Timmy Mallett: A British TV presenter and artist known for "Wacaday" and "Timmy Towers".
- Tim Mallett: A former Australian rules football player.
- Ryan Mallett: An American football quarterback who has played for NFL teams like the New England Patriots and Houston Texans.
- Robert Mallett: An Anglo-Irish civil engineer, scientist, and inventor.
- Molly Mallett: An English film actress from the early 20th century.
- Paul Mallett: A professional rugby union player.
- Richard Mallett: Former English cricketer.
- Andrew Mallett: An Australian cricketer.
- Adrian Mallett: A bassist for the 1980s UK punk band, The Expelled.
- Gordon Mallett: A football coach at University of Detroit Mercy.
- Stefan Mallett: A Dutch-Surinamese football player.
- Edward Mallett: An American tubist recognized for his virtuoso performances.
- Jacques Mallett: A cricketer who played for Middlesex.
- Arthur Mallett: An English stage, film and television actor.
- Hardy Mallett: A former Australian Rugby Union player.
- Claudine Mallett: A British journalist and television presenter.
- James Mallet: A British evolutionary biologist known for his work on speciation and hybrid zones. Please note that some individuals may spell their last name as 'Mallet' instead of 'Mallett'.