Surname Morlot - Meaning and Origin
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Morlot: What does the surname Morlot mean?
The last name Morlot is a French surname. Its roots can be traced to the French word morlot, which was a name for a small horse or a small donkey. This name likely WAS given to an ancestor who worked with or owned animals in some capacity, likely in agriculture.
The word “morlot” is derived from the Old French “Morelot,” which means small patient. This attribute likely refers to the sturdy, docile nature of a small horse or donkey, the type which would be used in farming.
In some instances, the surname Morlot may also have originated from the French verb morler, which means “to break, crush, or grind.” In this case, the name could have been given to an ancestor who was a miller, working to crush grain into flour.
Given the history of the last name Morlot, it is likely that the ancestors of this name were hardworking farmers with a strong connection to animals and the land. The surname reflects these attributes, and has now become a common part of family trees across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMorlot: Where does the name Morlot come from?
The last name Morlot is most commonly found in Francophone countries. It is a French name, originating in the Middle Ages when families began taking on hereditary surnames. The earliest recorded use of the Morlot surname is from the town of Laon, France in the year 1333.
Today, the last name Morlot is still commonly found in France, particularly in the areas of Picardy and Normandie. It is particularly prevalent in the Brie Champenoise region in the northeastern part of the country, and in towns such as Tournai, Abbeville, and Beauvais. Many immigrants to the United States from France brought the Morlot surname with them, and there are now many people with this last name living in the US.
The name Morlot is also found in Canada, particularly in Quebec and in the Maritime provinces. There are also people with this last name living in other French-speaking countries around the world, such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It is also found in French-speaking Caribbean countries, such as Haiti, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.
Variations of the surname Morlot
The surname Morlot has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Morlot, and its spelling is likely French-originated. Other similar spellings include Morlaut, Morlaud, Morlauth, Morlote, Morlotte, and Morlat.
The surname is derived from the Old French terms 'moreau' and 'lauth', which refer to the Latin terms 'morio' and 'lautus' meaning 'dark' and 'bright' respectively. Therefore, Morlot most likely referred to a person of dark or bright complexion.
It is also possible that the name was a nickname for someone living near a dark or bright hill. It is thought that similar nicknames were given to people living in a junior, or secondary, branch of a family, and therefore this name may have also referred to a secondary branch of a family. That being said, it is not entirely clear why this surname was originally given and how it changed from Morlot to the various spellings and variants we see today.
Other surnames of similar origin include Morel, Morellez, Morellet, Morelot, Moraux, MacMorland, Mallot, Marlot, and Marlotte. Though these names may have originated from the term 'morlot', they have evolved and changed and had likely taken on different meanings over time.
The spellings and variants of Morlot, as well as its related surnames, illustrate the wide variety of French surnames and the evolution of surnames over time. Though the meaning of the name may have been lost, it is still a surname of great significance and with a rich history.
Famous people with the name Morlot
- Antoine Morlot: French Catholic priest
- Jérôme Morlot: French politician
- Pierre-Paul Morlot: French physicist
- Jean Morlot: French physicist and mathematician
- Edouard Morlot: a French illustrator
- Emmanuel Morlot: a French pianist
- Pierre Morlot: a French opera singer
- Jean-Baptiste Morlot: a French painter
- Denis-Antoine Morlot: a French clergyman and teenager
- Julien Morlot: a French actor