Surname Severitt - Meaning and Origin

Severitt: What does the surname Severitt mean?

The last name Severitt is of Anglo-Saxon origin, likely derived from the Old English word 'seofon', meaning seven. This word likely described someone who lived or worked near a group of seven dwellings, such as a village or hamlet. Alternatively, the name may have derived from the Old English word 'sele', meaning hall or manor.

The name Severitt also has a few possible geographical origins. It may refer to the town of Severing, which was located in Lincolnshire, England until the early 1960s. It may have also originated from villages called Severingholme or Severingley, both of which were located in the same county.

In contemporary times, the name Severitt is particularly common in the United States, where it is an Americanized version of the surname Severyn, which is of Polish origin.

Overall, the surname Severitt is steeped in history. Its origins provide insight into the past lives of individuals who bore the name, mapping the journey from its Anglo-Saxon roots to its current Americanized form. The name continues to be used by many families in the present day, carrying with it a sense of tradition and a connection to ancestors long passed.

Severitt: Where does the name Severitt come from?

The last name Severitt is most common in the United States, with higher concentrations in the midwest and southern states. According to the US Census Bureau, the states with the most Severitts living in them are Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. In these states, particularly in the south, many Severitts are descended from the deceased African American slave Severitt from Virginia who took the name in the 18th century.

The Severitt surname is most frequently found in urban areas, particularly in the cities where the African American community settled after the Civil War. Cities like Memphis, Nashville, Little Rock, and Birmingham will tend to have more Severitts than rural areas, though Severitt is certainly not exclusive to urban populations.

The Severitt surname is also fairly common in Canada and the UK, though it is most often found among the descendants of immigrants who arrived from the United States or Ireland in the late 19th century. As the name has spread across the English-speaking world, Severitt has largely kept its original spelling, though some variants such as Severy or Sayer have also emerged over time.

Variations of the surname Severitt

The surname Severitt is relatively rare, with an estimated 2,000 bearers living in the United States according to the 2019 US Census. It is an English variant of the equally rare surname Savory, which has far fewer bearers in England and elsewhere.

Variations of Severitt include Severyt, Savory, Severyte, Savrette, Savrit, and Savrytt. Other spelling variations for Severitt include Savery, Saveryt, Savorey, Savoret, Savoretti, Savoretto, Sevaritt, Severite, Severytt, and Severyte.

Severitt is the original form of the surname in most cases, but in some dialects can be Savery instead. In England, Savory is more commonly used in place of Severitt.

The ancestral roots of the Severitt or Savory surname are unclear. It is possible it is derived from a personal name, such as Savor, Safar, or Souverain. It could also have been derived from the northern French word seveir, meaning “to sever or divide,” in reference to a job in which an individual was required to divide lands. Others believe it to be of Saxon or Scandinavian origin.

The purpose of the surname Severitt or Savory is to denote ancestral origin. It is believed to have initially been used as a way to differentiate between different branches or branches of a family. As such, it is likely to have evolved over time into different variants and spellings.

Famous people with the name Severitt

• M. Ken Severitt: Best-Selling Author
• Starr Severitt: Actress
• Robert Severitt: Radio Personality and Executive
• Jonathan Severitt: Soccer Player
• Claire Severitt: Singer-Songwriter
• William Severitt: Artist
• Annie Severitt: Business & Technology Executive
• D. Wayne Severitt: Film Producer
• Billy Severitt: Actor and Producer
• Rajeev Severitt: CEO of a Software Company
• Christopher Severitt: Television Producer
• Mark Severitt: interior designer
• James Severitt: Professional Athlete
• Orval Severitt: World War II Medal of Honor Recipient
• John Severitt: Author
• Michael Severitt: Actor
• Erin Severitt: Professional Ballet Dancer
• David Severitt: CEO of a Financial Services Company
• Anthony Severitt: Hip-Hop Artist
• Chuck Severitt: Executive Producer & Music Video Director

Other surnames

SeveridtSeverienSeveriensSeverinSeveringSeveringsSeverinsSeveritSeverith