Surname Hughett - Meaning and Origin

Hughett: What does the surname Hughett mean?

The origin and meaning of the surname Hughett is not entirely clear. It's believed to be of English origin, possibly a variant of the name Hewett, which derives from the Old French name Huet. In Old French, the name Huet is a diminutive form of Hugh, or 'Hug' meaning “heart”, “mind”, or “spirit”. The suffix "-ett" often denotes little, so Hughett may mean "little Hugh". However, surname meanings can be influenced by numerous factors, including regional dialects, spelling variations, and even the profession or status of a family. Therefore, the exact meaning and origin of the name Hughett might be slightly different. Over the years, many families with the surname Hughett have emigrated to various parts of the world, so it's seen in many different countries today.

Hughett: Where does the name Hughett come from?

The surname Hughett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, being derived from the personal name "Hugh," a popular name during the Middle Ages in England. The suffix "-ett" is a diminutive, meaning 'little', so the overall meaning of the name can be interpreted as "little Hugh." Surnames were often derived from a father's given name in English culture during medieval times, and the suffixes such as "-ett" or "-son" were added to show a familial relationship. This could suggest that the first person to bear the Hughett surname was a descendant or son of a man named Hugh.

As with many surnames, over time, different spelling variations have developed, including Hewitt, Hewett, and Huit. Today, the Hughett surname is most commonly found in the United States, especially in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky, according to ancestry and genealogy records. However, its distribution remains relatively rare, making it an uncommon surname overall.

Variations of the surname Hughett

The surname Hughett is of British origin, commonly found in areas influenced by the Old French language. Many versions of this surname have been recorded throughout history, due to the lack of spelling rules and standards in early times. Variations of the surname Hughett include Huggett, Hugget, Huggetts, Huggettson, Hughett, Hugot, Hugott, Hugett and Hugetts.

Additional spelling variations might include the French Hearth tax records from the 15th century, which list variations such as Huguet and Huguette. The surname's root could be derived from the Old French personal name "Hugues", the equivalent of "Hugh" in English, with an additional endearing diminutive "-et".

More phonetic variations may exist, considering regional accents, literacy levels and the influence of other languages throughout history. Additionally, it is common for surnames to be spelled differently when moving from one country to another, so immigrants could have added even more variations. Finally, surnames can sometimes be linked through marriage, so connected names could also be considered variants.

However, it is important to remember that the existence of a surname variant does not necessarily reflect a blood relation between the families bearing these names. The relationship can only be confirmed through genealogic research.

Famous people with the name Hughett

• Jerry Hughett: American Oil Business Executive who was a pioneer in shale oil and gas production.
• J. Walter Hughett: American politician from Ohio who served several stints in the Ohio House of Representatives.
• Ray Hughett: American professional basketball player from the 1950s and 1960s who mostly played for the Cincinnati Royals.
• Nancy Hughett: American poet, writer and instructor who has published several books of poetry, as well as essays and short stories.
• Bill Hughett: American country singer and songwriter who released his debut album in 2007.
• B.J. Hughett: American NFL player who won the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1969.
• Kory Hughett: Valerie Plame's first husband who wrote a book titled "Behind the Scenes of the Plame-Wilson Investigation".
• William A. Hughett: American federal judge from Kentucky who was the first to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
• Corbin Hughett: American actor, best known for his television role as the character Travis on the CBS family drama 7th Heaven.
• Diehl Hughett: American Navy and Coast Guard veteran who served in World War II and later became the Grand Marshal of the Orange County Veterans Day Parade.

Other surnames

HughesHughey