Surname Jellett - Meaning and Origin
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Jellett: What does the surname Jellett mean?
The surname Jellett is of English origin and is believed to be derived from a personal name. The most common root is the Middle English given names "Gilet, Gillot, or Gillett", diminutive forms of the name "Giles". Giles is a name of ancient Greek origin, from "Aigidion", a diminitive of "Aix" which translates to "a kid, young goat".
Over time, the names Gillett were altered phonetically into various forms, including the modern surnames Jellett, Jillett, and Gillett among others. This process often occurred due to the medieval practice of converting names and words to conform more closely to the vernacular language.
Therefore, while there isn't a specific and direct meaning associated with the surname Jellett, it represents a historical lineage traceable back to people who were named Giles in medieval England. It is important to note that Giles was a popular Christian name during medieval times due to St. Giles, a 7th-century hermit from Athens who became one of the most popular saints in Western Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisJellett: Where does the name Jellett come from?
The last name Jellett is of English origin. It is believed to be derived from the Middle English personal names "Gelat" or "Joliot". These personal names are variants of Julian, which in turn finds its roots in the Greek name "loulianos," signifying "downy," suggesting youthful or tender.
The process of spelling variations in names was a common occurrence in the Middle Ages. As such, Jellett is one variation of a range of spellings which includes Jelliot, Jellet, Jellatt, Jellyatt, and others. These names have been found in documents dating back as far as the 16th century in England.
In terms of its modern distribution, Jellett is not a common surname. However, it is found in higher concentrations in England as per its origin. There might also be pockets of Jelletts in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, mainly due to historical emigration patterns from the United Kingdom. In Ireland, the Jellett name also gained prominence in the 19th century through the notable Irish physicist and mathematician, John Jellett.
Variations of the surname Jellett
Like many surnames, Jellett has evolved through several variations for different reasons such as translation between languages, phonetic spelling, and regional differences. For instance, some similar spellings and variants might include Jellet, Jellyt, Jelit, and Jelleth.
Additionally, the surname can be linked to several other related surnames. For instance, it could be a variant of the name "Gillette" as it can undergo phonetic changes and get transformed over time and distance. Other surnames associated with Jellett could be "Jollett", "Jelot", or even "Jelle".
The surname Jellett can also be found under different spellings due to transcription errors, such as in older handwritten census records. The letters 'J' and ‘I’, or 'T' and ‘F’ can sometimes be misread, leading to surnames like "Ielett" or "Jelfett".
In some cases, the surname Jellett might be anglicized from a non-English surname with similar pronunciation or even translated, meaning the surname originates in a different language. It’s always important to consider this when searching for the origins of a surname.
Famous people with the name Jellett
- Jordan Jellett: Canadian television and film producer.
- John Jellett: Irish politician and former Anglican bishop.
- Barry Jellett: English television and radio writer and comedian.
- R.E. Jellett: Irish lawyer and philanthropist who founded a memorial scholarship in honour of his father.
- Jacqueline Jellett: Australian celebrity chef.
- Matthew Jellett: Australian actor, best known for his roles in the films Batman Begins and Mad Max: Fury Road.
- Peter Jellett: Canadian author and broadcaster.
- Harry Jellett: Canadian lawyer, senator, and active supporter of the temperance movement.
- Mary Jellett: Irish nurse and midwife who was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal for her service during World War II.
- Harry Jellett Jr.: Canadian politician, barrister, and judge of the Supreme Court of Canada.