Surname Beckett - Meaning and Origin
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The iGENEA DNA Test: Unraveling the Strands of My Beckett Ancestry
As an ardent explorer of family history, I recently ventured into the labyrinth of my DNA with an iGENEA DNA test. The results have offered intriguing insights about my surname - Beckett, tracing back my lineage to the time of Norman Conquest in England. Connectively, exploring my maternal lineage, the DNA test highlighted strong Scandinavian ties. This genealogical journey has broadened my understanding of my family's past, shaping my identity and origins.
O. Beckett
read moreBeckett: What does the surname Beckett mean?
The surname Beckett originates from the Anglo-Norman and Old German personal name 'Beck', which is derived from the Middle English word 'bec', meaning 'a small stream'. Additionally, the surname developed from the Old Norse word 'bekkr', meaning 'a stream'.
In the Middle Ages, Becketts were mainly farmers of high status and controlled large areas of land. Throughout the centuries, members of this distinguished family have held titles of nobility, established great landholders, and been known for their contributed influence in various political and military matters.
The Beckett name is most common in Northern Europe, especially England and Ireland. Within Ireland, a large number of Anglicized born Irish-Gaelic 'Beag' clans adopted the name ‘Beckett’; before the mid-1800s, it was also common for Anglicized Irish to assume the 'Beckett' surname from branches of the English colonization northern Ireland.
The famous playwright Samuel Beckett was born in 1906 to a Protestant family living in Foxrock, just south of Dublin. His ancestors were followers of the Church of Ireland and originally hailed from County Fermanagh. His father was an builder and his mother of Maynooth, a prominent family within Dublin’s Protestant Upper Middle classes. The family name is said to date back to the 17th century in Ireland when they lived in Lorie, Co. Wexford.
Today, the name ‘Beckett’ invokes strength, loyalty, and a long established history of descendants determined to make their mark on society and rise to their fullest potential.
Order DNA origin analysisBeckett: Where does the name Beckett come from?
The last name Beckett is most commonly found today in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Ireland, the last name is most prevalent in the North and South Tipperary counties, as well as Cork and Wexford. In England, the highest concentration of Becketts is in the East and West Midlands regions. It is also seen with some frequency in London, the West Yorkshire areas, and Lancashire.
In America, the last name is especially common in southern states such as Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. In Canada, the last name is most commonly seen in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. It is also an especially popular name among Australians and New Zealanders, particularly in areas like Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Auckland.
The Beckett surname is derived from the Norman French word beket, meaning "little one." It can also be an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac an Bheatha, which means "Son of Life." The Beckett clan was prominent in the Irish Midlands during the medieval period, and can be traced back to the 12th century.
Regardless of its origins, if you're looking for the Beckett name, it is most likely to be seen with some frequency in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Beckett
The surname Beckett is common in many parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and even as far away as Wales. It is derived from the Old English given name “Beck”, meaning “stream”. As such, surnames related to Beck or Beckett include Beecher, Bechet, Beckman, Bickett, and Bakewell, among others.
Variants of the name Beckett are often seen internationally, giving rise to different spellings, depending on the region in which it was adopted. In countries like France and Canada, the name is commonly spelled Bechet, while other forms of the name may be seen such as Becqué, Bequet, Beke, and Bickett.
Surnames with the same origin as Beckett are also far-reaching, from the United Kingdom including Backett, Basket, Beskett, Baskerville, and Boreham, to names such as Beckerman, Beckeman, or Beckwith in the United States. In Australia, variations of the name may be seen as Bickhaupt, Pochett, or Beckelett.
Whatever the spelling, the origin of the surname Beckett remains rooted in the Old English given name of “Beck”. Each variant and spelling offers a unique narrative to the lives of its holders and the families that descended from them.
Famous people with the name Beckett
- Samuel Beckett: an Irish novelist, playwright, and poet who is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. He is best known for his works Waiting For Godot, Endgame, and Krapp's Last Tape.
- Martha Beckett: an author, motivational speaker, and life coach who has published many bestselling books and hosted her own radio talk show.
- Tannehill Beckett: an American actor and producer, best known for his role as Max Martin on the hit TV series Roswell, New Mexico.
- Arthur Knowles Beckett: an English dramatist and author who wrote several successful plays in the Victorian period, including Hard Cash, The Ticket of Leave Man, and The ody of the Complaint.
- Vanessa Beckett: an American singer-songwriter who released her debut album in 2019.
- Jordan Beckett: an English professional footballer, currently playing for Preston North End.
- Galen Beckett: an American writer, best known for The Magicians and Mrs. Quent fantasy novel series set in Victorian-era England.
- Jean Beckett: an English author, best known for her “Borgia” and “Rome Cathedral” series of historical fiction books.
- Joseph Beckett: an Australian artist and printmaker known for his vivid and detailed landscapes and seascapes.
- Adam Beckett: an animator, graphic artist, and video game designer, best known for his contributions to the 1981 film Heavy Metal.