Surname de Carteret - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
de Carteret: What does the surname de Carteret mean?
The surname "de Carteret" is of French origin and is associated with the Channel Islands, particularly Jersey. It is derived from the name of a place in Normandy, France, called "Carteret", which is composed of two Norse or Old Danish words - "Karl" meaning "free man" and "Eyr" meaning gravel bank or island. Therefore, the surname "de Carteret" could be translated as "from Carteret" or "of Carteret". The "de" signifies land-ownership or lineage, similar to "von" in German or "van" in Dutch. The Carteret family has a long and distinguished history dating back to 1042 in Normandy, and later in Jersey from the 12th century, with several notable members serving as high-ranking officials, seafarers, colonial governors, and politicians. Thus, the surname de Carteret might also represent a person's connection to this family lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisde Carteret: Where does the name de Carteret come from?
The surname de Carteret originates from the Channel Islands between France and England. The name is of Norman lineage and is traced back to a place called Carteret in Manche, France. The "de" denotes "of" or "from," stating a geographic connection, thus "de Carteret" would mean "of Carteret."
The Carteret family is well-documented in Channel Island history and were significant landowners in the area from the 13th Century. In fact, one of the Channel Islands, Jersey’s, eighteen parishes is named St Peter Port de Carteret, reflecting the influence of this family.
Although the name has French origins, it is more common in English-speaking countries today due to historic emigration. The name is especially common in Jersey, but people bearing this surname can be found in many parts of the world, predominantly in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, United States, and New Zealand. It's also worth noting that Philip Carteret, a British naval officer, was an early explorer of Australia and New Zealand, contributing to the spread of this surname in those regions.
Variations of the surname de Carteret
The surname de Carteret has origins in the Channel Islands in France. Various spellings and variations of the surname have evolved over the centuries. Some of these include Carteret, Carter, Cartier, and Cartiere. The "de" in the name signifies "of" in French, hence the full surname meant "of Carteret". The change in the variations can be attributed to many factors such as geographical location, education level, and literacy rates. Furthermore, during periods of migration, especially to English-speaking regions, the name might have changed. The surname is sometimes Anglicized to Carter.
The Carteret family is of Norman descent. They were a seigneurial family in Jersey in the Channel Islands. The Ortac Rock, to the west of Alderney, is said to be named after a member of this family. Their notable members include Sir George Carteret, a statesman in Jersey, and Philip Carteret, a British naval officer. The surname and its variations are spread out today across different regions of the world from the United Kingdom to North America and Australia.
Famous people with the name de Carteret
- Phillipe de Carteret: A British naval officer and explorer who made notable voyages of exploration to parts of the Pacific Ocean in the 1760s.
- Sir George Carteret: A prominent 17th-century British naval officer, politician, and proprietor of the colony of New Jersey in the United States.
- Cedric de Carteret: Also known as Baron de Preston, Cedric has served as the constable of Saint Peter, Jersey.
- Helier de Carteret: Known as the Seigneur of St. Ouen, he was a prominent figure in Jersey's history, having colonized Sark in the 16th century.
- Captain Philip Carteret: He was an English explorer and naval officer who updated maps of the New World and the Pacific Ocean in the 18th century.
- Bailiff Sir Robert Pipon Marett: He was a notable poet, writer, and thinker of Jersey.
- David de Carteret: An Anglican priest who served as Chaplain to the British Forces in Cyprus.
- John de Carteret: The 3rd Earl Granville, he was a British statesman and diplomat, serving in key political roles in the mid-1800s.
- Julia Feilden (née de Carteret): She was a notable British social worker and founder of the St. John Ambulance Association in the late 1800s.