Surname Thornett - Meaning and Origin

Thornett: What does the surname Thornett mean?

The surname Thornett is of English origin and is considered topographic, indicating that it was likely originally given to someone who lived by a thicket or a hedged enclosure. It derives from the Old English words "þorn", meaning "thorn", and "haga", meaning "hedge" or "enclosure". The "ett" at the end could be a diminutive suffix, giving the overall meaning of "little thorn hedge". As is common with many surnames, it is thought to have been used to help distinguish between different individuals in the same community. Over time, it would have been passed down through the generations and used as a family name, which is how we use surnames today. It is important to note that the exact interpretation and historical beginnings can vary and not always be precisely known.

Thornett: Where does the name Thornett come from?

The surname Thornett is of English origin, deriving from a place name in West Sussex that was originally spelled Turnete. Today, the name is still primarily found in the United Kingdom, especially in the south of England. It is particularly common in the counties of Sussex, Hampshire and Devon.

There are also smaller numbers of people with the last name Thornett living in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. It is uncertain when the name first made its way across the pond, but records of the name can be found in America as far back as the late 1800s.

Today, the highest concentration of Thornett surname holders in the United States can be found in areas that were originally British colonies. This includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland.

It is likely that there are more modern versions of the Thornett name still used today, such as Thornet, Thornett and Thornette. While these variants of the original spelling are slightly more rare, they can still be found amongst people living in the United Kingdom, especially in areas near West Sussex.

Variations of the surname Thornett

The surname Thornett is a patronymic surname of Norman origin, possibly derived from the Old Norman French 'Thornet', meaning 'Little Thorn'.

The root of this surname can also be found within the historical terms of 'Thorne' and 'Thornton', which are occasionally used interchangeably in many records.

Variations and spellings for the surname Thornett include Thornet, Thornette, Thornat, Thornotte, Thornetto, Thornatte, Thornt, Thronett, Thronton, and Thornit.

Surnames of the same origin but with slight differences in spelling can also include Thorney, Thurnett, Thurnott, Thurning, Turnet, Turnit, and Tornit.

Although the root meaning of the surname was that of a small thorn, it is possible that the surname evolved to describe people who were living near a thorn bush. Another possible origin among earlier records was that of a nickname.

The spelling of the surname has considerably. In some instances, the spelling of the surname has mutated over the centuries, in some cases 'T' has been omitted resulting in Horne, Hornton, Orne, and Ornton.

Those bearing the name ‘Thornett’ have settled in parts of Europe and Australia. In England, the surname is common in Lancashire, whilst in Australia, many bearing the name settled in the main cities of Sydney and Melbourne during the 18th century.

Today, the name Thornett can also commonly be found in the United States.

Famous people with the name Thornett

• Talitha Thornett: actor, presenter and fashion designer.
• Eliza Thornett: actress, primarily in Australian television and film.
• Joe Thornett: American professional kickboxer and mixed martial artist.
• Stephen Thornett: British singer and composer.
• Nicky Thornett: British dancer, choreographer, and director.
• Janice Thornett: Australian radio presenter.
• James Thornett: Australian rugby league footballer.
• Richard Thornett: English professional footballer.
• Owen Thornett: American rower and college football player.
• Jonathan Thornett: British apothecary, materia medica, lecturer and author.
• Tim Thornett: English cricketer.
• Akim Thornett: American board game designer.
• Susan Thornett: Australian fashion designer and businessperson.
• Emma Thornett: British Paralympic athlete.
• Ted Thornett: Canadian ice hockey player.
• Hugh Thornett: British officer and politician.
• Captain Harry A. Thornett: Canadian hero who fought in World War One.
• Reginald Alexander Robert Thornett: Australian politician and lawyer.
• Michael Thornett: British publisher and writer.
• William Alfred Thornett: Australian soldier and military commander.

Other surnames

ThorneThornellThornerThornesThornessThornetonThorneycroft