Surname Naught - Meaning and Origin

Naught: What does the surname Naught mean?

The surname Naught originates from the old English word "nawt", which means "nothing". It was often used as a nickname for a person who was poor, humble, or of low birth, indicating they had "naught" or nothing in terms of wealth or social status. Over time, it evolved into a surname. It should be noted that meanings of surnames can vary based on their historical and geographical origins. Not all people bearing the last name Naught would be related or share the same lineage. The interpretation of this surname's meaning is not a reflection of the attributes of individuals with this surname today. As names were often given based on a trade, geographical location or even physical characteristics, it does not necessarily carry any significant personal traits or status in modern times.

Naught: Where does the name Naught come from?

The surname "Naught" likely originates from the British Isles, specifically Ireland. This surname is probably a variant of the name "Naghten" or “MacNaghten”, which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Neachtain", meaning "son of Neachtan". The name Neachtan itself means "pure" or "clear" in Gaelic.

The surname is not particularly common today and it can be difficult to pinpoint a specific region where it is still prevalent. However, it can probably be found among individuals of Irish descent throughout the world, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, and the UK where there has been a significant history of Irish immigration. Furthermore, variations of the name might be more frequently encountered than the precise form of "Naught". As with many surnames, the distribution of "Naught" can be influenced by many factors including historical migration patterns, cultural assimilation, and changes in spelling over time.

Variations of the surname Naught

The surname Naught evidently originated from Gaelic (especially Irish) roots and is sometimes considered to be a variant of the surname "Naughton". However, various variations, spelling alternatives, and names of the same origin have been observed over time. These include Nought, Nott, Nutt, Naughten, Naughtin, O’Naughten, and O’Naghten. Professional historical and genealogical studies have also indicated a connection of these names to the Gaelic "Neachtain" and "O’Neachtain".

The spelling of the name has often changed over centuries, influenced by various factors, including regional accents or dialects, literacy levels, cultural changes, and transcription errors. Thus, even different members of the same family could use different forms of the surname.

It should be noted that this is a common occurrence with Irish surnames, which underwent Anglicisation and other linguistic transformations, particularly during the period of the English colonization of Ireland.

Understanding the various forms of a surname not only allows researchers to trace family history more effectively but also provides fascinating insights into the historical and cultural factors that helped shape these names.

Famous people with the name Naught

• Donal Logue: American actor
• James Naught: American comedian, actor and writer
• Maeve Naughton: Irish actress
• William Naught: American actor
• Bethany Naught: British voice actress
• John Naught: British novelist
• S. Melinda Naught: American opportunist and explorer
• EE Naught: American rock musician
• Gary Naught: American author
• William Naught: American playwright and director

Other surnames

NaughtenNaughton