Surname Nott - Meaning and Origin
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Nott: What does the surname Nott mean?
The surname Nott is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has multiple potential meanings. It could be derived from the Old English pre-7th Century word "hnutu," meaning "nut." In this context, it likely served as a nickname for someone with a round or oval head, bright brown eyes, or a person who was deemed industrious or productive, like a nut-bearing tree.
Alternatively, Nott could also derive from the Old English name Cnotta, which might have been a nickname for a thickset or rotund individual, derived from "cnotta" meaning knot or lump. Yet another possibility is an occupational origin, referring to individuals who knotted strings or cords, from the Middle English "nottere."
Overall, the exact interpretation depends on individual family history and the context in which the name initially took roots. As with many surnames, Nott has evolved over centuries and been influenced by cultural, geographical, and linguistic factors.
Order DNA origin analysisNott: Where does the name Nott come from?
The surname Nott is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from a personal name. The name is believed to have originated from the Old English pre 7th Century word "hnutu", meaning nut, which was often used as a nickname for someone who was small and insignificant. It may also be derived from the medieval given name "Knott," which means "knot," suggesting a complex or difficult individual. This surname was first found in Somerset, where the Nott family held a family seat from very ancient times.
Today, the Nott surname can be found in various countries around the world due to migration and diaspora, but it is most common in English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It is relatively uncommon everywhere, including in these countries. Researchers have suggested that the name's bearers might descend from the same family that originally carried the name in England.
In the 2000 US Census, Nott was the 12,912th most common surname, with a prevalence of 0.001%. In England and Wales, it was the 3731st most common surname in 2019. Nonetheless, as surname distribution can change over time, these figures may vary today.
Variations of the surname Nott
The surname Nott has a variety of spellings, including variations such as Nott, Notts, and Nutt. Other surnames with the same root include Nuttman, Nottman, and Notman. It is likely that these surnames all originated from the same surname, Nott.
The surname Nott comes from the Old English term for "bald," and was often used as a nickname in Medieval England for someone with a shaved or bald head. This could have been either a religious sign (such as a monk's tonsure), the symptom of a disease, or a fashion statement (baldness was popular among Norman nobles in the 11th and 12th centuries).
The use of surnames was not common until the Norman Conquest in 1066, and even then they were not universally used. Surnames were generally used to distinguish individuals with the same first name, and often referred to a personal characteristic, occupation, or place of residence. Therefore, the various spellings and derivations of the surname Nott likely all share the same origin in the Old English nickname for a bald person.
Another related surname could be Nuttall, which is of Old English origin meaning "dweller by the nut trees." While it doesn't directly link to the root meaning of "Nott," a phonetic similarity exists.
Famous people with the name Nott
- Jewel Nott: an international drag queen that has toured throughout Europe, Asia and the USA.
- David Nott: a British war surgeon, who has been awarded an OBE for his humanitarian service in war zones.
- Holly Nott: a British tennis player, who has competed internationally and was the Winner of Surbiton Trophy in 2016 singles.
- Sophia Nott: an Australian actress best known for Wingmen, Doctor Doctor and the upcoming Six September.
- Jaden Nott: an American actor, best known for appearing in the films I Spit on Your Grave and All American Girl.
- John Nott: a former British Defence Secretary under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
- Chris Nott: an English rugby union player who represented USA at the 2007 World Cup.
- David Nott: a UK cinematographer best known for the films The Man Who Fell to Earth, Butterfly Girl and The Tenant.
- Tony Nott: a British trumpet player who has performed with legends such as James Brown, Elton John and Miles Davis.
- Abi Nott: an English fashion photographer and model that has worked with brands such as Zara, H&M and Boohoo.