Surname Cavett - Meaning and Origin
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Cavett: What does the surname Cavett mean?
The last name Cavett is of English origin and is believed to be a habitational surname derived from Gravatt, a location near Dover in England. This name may also be derived from the French personal name Gervasio, which then developed into the Anglo-Norman name Cavet.
The family of Cavett is said to have originated in Scotland in the 16th Century. The first recorded spelling of the surname was in 1544 in the reign of King Edward the Vth of England. Aranthus de Cavet, an English explorer and soldier, was recorded in the Duke of Norfolk's roll in 1544.
The Cavett surname is a patronymic name, which comes from the name of the father of the original bearer. The meaning of Cavett is derived from the word Gerer, which roughly translates to ‘watchman'. It is believed that the family of Cavett was either of French origin or the name originally indicated occupation of some sort.
Aside from its English origins, the surname Cavett is also common in France. While it is not known how the name spread to other countries, it is likely that it was brought across by French immigrants. The surname Cavett can now be found across Europe and North America, with the most common areas of settlement being England, France, Germany, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisCavett: Where does the name Cavett come from?
The last name Cavett is common in several countries around the world today. In the United States, the surname is most frequently seen in the states of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Georgia. It is also relatively common in the United Kingdom, particularly in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. Cavett is also frequently encountered in Australia and New Zealand, with a large presence in the Northern Territory of Australia.
The surname Cavett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, likely being derived from the Middle English word "cave," meaning "dweller in a cave," and the Old English word "et," meaning "grassland." It originally referred to someone who lived near a cave or who owned a large tract of land, as the presence of a cave usually indicated an abundance of arable land.
The surname Cavett was likely first brought to the United States by settlers from England and Scotland who arrived during the colonial period. During this time, it was most commonly found in the southeastern states, such as Virginia, where many of the early settlers came. It has since become more widespread throughout the entire country.
Today, the Cavett surname can be found in many parts of the world, though its concentration is still mainly in the English-speaking countries of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite the global presence of the Cavett surname, its origins remain rooted in the same Anglo-Saxon derivation.
Variations of the surname Cavett
Cavett is a surname that is believed to be of English and French origin. It can be pronounced various ways including KAV-it and CAV-et. In addition to these, alternative spellings and surnames with the same origin include Cavelt, Cavell, Cavill, and Cavillier. The different spellings may arise due to the variety of cultures that have adopted this surname.
The surname Cavett has been found mainly in the south of England as early as the 12th century. Records from those times suggest that the earliest known Cavetts all lived in Suffolk and Middlesex during a time when many people took on surnames derived from the local area. It is believed that some of the Cavetts may have been of French heritage. Much later the surname Cavett could also be found in the United States as people of English and French ancestry began to settle there.
It is likely that many families have adopted variants of the original spelling, such as Cavill, throughout the years. This was due to families using different dialects and pronunciation of the name, which has changed its spelling over time. Similarly, some Cavetts adopted the similar surnames Cavill, Cavillier and Cavelt when they emigrated from England to other countries as well.
In conclusion, the surname Cavett has many variants, spellings, and similar surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Cavill and the others include Cavelt, Cavell, and Cavillier. The frequent changes of this surname are due to the dialect, pronunciation, and immigration shifts over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Cavett
- Dick Cavett: The American television and radio talk show host famously hosted The Dick Cavett Show over various networks 1968: 1975.
- Erik Cavett: Singer-songwriter in the alternative rock band Silence Fiction.
- Peter Cavett: British actor, known for his roles in films like V for Vendetta, About Time, and Match Point.
- Phil Cavett: American actor, starred in films like The Five-Year Engagement and the television series Outcast.
- Bob Cavett: A former professional basketball player who played briefly for the New York Knicks.
- Barbara Cavett: An American historian and author.
- Max Cavett: A contemporary abstract artist and painter.
- Louise Cavett: American writer, director, and producer of television and film.
- Jeff Cavett: American actor and voice actor, known for his roles in shows like Veep and movies like Solo: A Star Wars Story.
- Jack Cavett: A former professional baseball player, who played in the minor leagues from 1942-1946.