Surname Cackett - Meaning and Origin

Cackett: What does the surname Cackett mean?

The last name Cackett is English in origin and is an occupational name derived from the term ‘cackle’, which means "to chatter, make a loud noise". It is also believed to have its roots in the Middle French word ‘caquet’, which means "to chatter". The surname likely refers to someone who made a living by talking a lot, either as a storyteller, broadcaster, or rumormonger.

The surname first surfaced in East Anglia, England in the 14th Century, suggesting that it's a relatively old last name. It is estimated that there are around 2,000 Cackett families in the world today, with the vast majority of them living in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has been suggested that there may also be some presence of the name in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The Cackett surname saw its peak in popularity between the 16th and 19th centuries, with several prominent families claiming the surname during this time. It is widely believed that the name gained notoriety in the region due to its association with broadcasting, which was a widely popular form of entertainment in these days.

Today, the Cackett last name is still alive and well in the United Kingdom and the United States, though it is not as common as it once was. It is very possible that the name will continue to live on for many more years to come.

Cackett: Where does the name Cackett come from?

The surname Cackett is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, especially in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire. The vast majority of people carrying this name can trace its roots to the northwest of England, where it originated in the 12th century.

The Cackett surname has been recorded in various forms, including Cackett, Cackat, Cachet, Kaket, Kayket, Kachet, Kachette, Cacket and even Kakett. Derived from the Old English elements "cacc" meaning "cap" and "cet" meaning "little," early bearers of this name were named after their small caps or headdresses.

The Cackett surname is particularly strong in the area of Dreighton, West Yorkshire where records date to the late 1400s. The name Cackett is still commonly found in this area today, as are many other place-names featuring the same "cackett" element.

The Cackett surname also remained popular in Lancashire throughout the 17th century, regularly appearing in the registers of the province's major towns and cities. By the 19th century, the surname had also spread to many other parts of England, including Surrey, Derbyshire, Oxfordshire, Essex and Berkshire.

Today, the Cackett surname is still present in the United Kingdom, although less so than in the past. However, there are still many people of the UK carrying this ancient name, albeit with varying degrees of rarity.

Variations of the surname Cackett

The surname Cackett is of Anglo-Saxon origin and was derived from either the Old English pre-seventh Century word "cacc" or the Old English "ceacca", both of which meant "cackle," as in the quack of a duck. Variants of the surname Cackett include Cacke, Cacket, Cakett, Cakkett, Cockett, Cockit, Cokett, Kacke, Kakett, Kacket, and Kakit.

The variant spellings of Cackett are mostly found in England and Scotland. The spelling Cockett can also be found in records in Virginia, while the spelling Cakett is most often seen in records from Texas.

In Scotland, the variant spellings Cockit, Cokett, and Kacket are more common due to the influence of the Scots and Dutch languages. The alternative spellings are usually found in records stemming from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the North and East Highlands.

In England, the spelling Kakit is most often found in regions of Staffordshire, while in Texas, the most common spelling is Cakett. Variations in spelling of the same surname occur due to variations in handwritten documents over the centuries, and in some cases, even two members of the same family may have had different spellings.

The most common surnames related to the Cackett are Cacke, Cockett and Kacke. Cacke is a nickname form of Cackett and Cockett means "the son of Cackett". Kacke is a Germanic form of the name, and may refer to the same family.

Famous people with the name Cackett

• Georgina Cackett: Award-winning British composer, known for modern compositions for media, theatre, and film.
• Gary Cackett: British actor, best known for playing Doug Murray in the long-running BBC One soap opera Doctors.
• Charlie Cackett: English musical actor, who starred in the world premiere of the musical Jersey Boys in London.
• Rosemary Cackett: Editor, writer, and scriptwriter; she is best known for writing several episodes of the television series Doctor Who.
• Jon Cackett: Former professional football player. He played for a number of clubs, including Chelsea, Grimsby Town, and Leeds United.
• Leslie Cackett: Renowned English actress, widely known for her central role in the BBC drama The Nine O'Clock News from 1967 to 1972.
• Michael Cackett: English actor, mainly known for his performances in two very different television series: Grange Hill and The Bill.
• Stephen Cackett: Royal Navy officer and former British naval attache in Madrid.
• John Cackett: British composer of film, television, and video game music. He is best known for his work on The Inbetweeners and Gavin & Stacey.
• Lisa Cackett: British actress, best known for her roles in musical theatre productions of The Sound of Music and Wicked.

Other surnames

Cacket