Surname Jewett - Meaning and Origin

Delving into Ancestry: A Revealing iGENEA DNA Test and the Journey of the Jewett Surname

Using the iGENEA DNA test, I embarked on a journey into my ancestry, discovering the historical roots of my surname, Jewett, and connecting with distant relatives who share this common heritage with me.

U. Jewett

Jewett: What does the surname Jewett mean?

The surname Jewett is of English origin and its first known use dates back to the Medieval period. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Geoffroi", introduced to England by the Normans, and the Middle English personal name "Juwet, Jowet". These personal names were diminutive forms of Julian, a matronymic surname referring to "Little Julian". Therefore, Jewett could be interpreted to mean "descendant or son of Little Julian". Over time and changes in language, the name underwent variations in spelling, such as Jewitt, Jowett, Jowitt, and more, but all these variations share the same etymology. Various families with the Jewett name have been traced back to different regions within England, attesting to its widespread adoption and usage. The surname Jewett first appeared in Yorkshire, a large historic county in northern England, where they held a family seat from early times. They were also early immigrants to America in the 17th century. Today, the Jewett name is found in multiple countries around the world, carried by people of diverse backgrounds and histories.

Jewett: Where does the name Jewett come from?

The surname Jewett is of English origin, derived from the Old French personal name "Juwet and Jewett," often introduced into England by the Normans in the form of "Ju(l)et". The name might also be a pet form of Julian, which was often given to children born in July. It may also result from a nickname "the Jew," referring to someone who traded with Jews or had some connection with Jewish culture or religion, rather than an ethnic name.

Although the surname Jewett is English, it does not necessarily indicate a high concentration in England today. Many English surnames have scattered around the globe due to historical migration. The Jewett surname is more common in the United States, likely due to English settlers who brought the surname with them. The largest number of people with this surname are found in the United States, with a significant number also found in Canada and England. In the United States, it is more concentrated in the New England area, especially Massachusetts, reflecting the historical settlement patterns of English colonists. But like most surnames, it can be found in many regions and countries worldwide.

Variations of the surname Jewett

The surname Jewett has various variants and related spellings, many of which are likely due to transcription errors, regional accents, or unique cultural adaptations of the name over the centuries. Variants of Jewett include Jewitt, Jewet, Jewit, Jowett, Jowitt, Juet, Jouett, and possibly Jewett-Smith or Smith-Jewett for those who hyphenated their last names.

The Jewett surname is believed to have a French origin, stemming from the old French personal name Jeu, which loosely translated to 'Jew', as well as the suffix “et” indicating little or 'beloved' hence, 'little beloved Jew'. The families of Jowett and Jouett are believed to carry the same origin.

One could consider the surname 'Jowett' is an Anglicized version of the original French surname 'Jouet'. The Yorkshire region in England has a notable connection with the surname, with various spellings like Jowett or Jowitt being prevalent there.

Names similar to Jewett, like Jouett, can also be commonly found in regions like Kentucky in the United States, owing to notable historic figures in the region, such as American Revolutionary War figure Jack Jouett. There are Jewett families recorded in early American census data as well.

Though, the Jewett family name has many different spellings, the families share common roots and a shared past.

Famous people with the name Jewett

• Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909), American novelist
• Nathanael Jewett (1802-1838), American politician
• Emmeline B. Wells (1828-1921), American suffragist and major leader in the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Theodore Jewett Eastman (1874-1909), American painter
• George Herbert Jewett (1839-1922), American businessman and art collector
• Arlo Jewett (1936-2008), American soccer coach
• Erastus Johns Jewett (1795-1874), American lawyer and politician
• John Jewett (1783-1827), American publisher
• Leslie Jewett (1910-2005), American landscape artist
• Samuel Jewett (born 1996), Canadian soccer player

Other surnames

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