Surname Emmitt - Meaning and Origin

Emmitt: What does the surname Emmitt mean?

The last name Emmitt originates from a British surname. The original surname has been spelt various ways throughout the centuries, including Emmott, Emmett, and Emmit.

The first documented use of the Emmitt surname dates back to the 13th century in Lancashire, England. The first known record with this last name is Hugh Emmett, who was recorded living in Preston, Lancashire in 1296. It is believed that the Emmitt surname is derived from the Old English given name, Emmet, which means “entire” or “universal”. It is also possible that the surname could be derived from the Old English word “emmet”, which was used to describe an ant.

The Emmitt surname has spread to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and other countries across the world. Today, the Emmitt surname can be found in records concerning various professions such as doctors, teachers, scientists, politicians, entertainers, sports stars, and many others.

In the United States, the Emmitt surname is most frequently found in the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, and California. The Emmitt surname is also frequent among those with Irish ancestry.

Overall, the Emmitt surname is a proud one with a long and noble history. It is a reminder of how far one’s ancestors have come and where they came from. A name that is remembered and respected throughout the generations.

Emmitt: Where does the name Emmitt come from?

The last name Emmitt is most common in the United States, particularly in the South. In fact, the name appears in the top 100 most common surnames in 24 of the 50 states in the country. Most notably, Emmitt is especially popular in Texas, where it is the 30th most common surname. After Texas, the greatest numbers of Emmitt's reside in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Illinois, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Oklahoma.

Outside of the United States, Emmitt is less frequently used as a surname. In Canada, it has only appeared around 400 times in the last census. Emmitt appeared almost 700 times in England during the same census, although this is still a relatively small amount considering the size of the population. On the other hand, Emmitt does not appear at all in Scotland or Ireland, where it is likely considered too unfamiliar or rare.

So although Emmitt is still quite a common last name within the United States, it is still relatively uncommon in the larger world view.

Variations of the surname Emmitt

The surname Emmitt is primarily of English origin and is thought to derive from the personal name “Emma”. It is believed to have either been derived from an Old German name or from the adaptation of the biblical female name “Emma” (“universal”). It has been recorded as a surname from as early as the 12th century.

Variants of the surname Emmitt include Emmett, Emmet, and Emott. These are spellings that are used interchangeably with the surname Emmitt, and may arise from different regional dialects and accents, as well as spellings being adopted by individuals during periods of illiteracy and limited education.

Surnames of similar origins and derivations include the French feminine name "Amélie" which has anglicized to "Emelie". Derivatives of this surname are Emilie, Emil, Amel and Amely, all of which may also bear a similar spelling to Emmitt.

The surname Emmitt is common in English speaking countries, including England, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Other spellings of the name are found in Scotland, Ireland and, to a lesser extent, Germany.

Famous people with the name Emmitt

• Emmitt Smith: Former Dallas Cowboys running back and NFL Hall of Famer. Currently an analyst on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.
• Emily Emmitt: British actress and model known for her roles in Brothers, Strangers, and Furious Seven.
• Emmitt James: Musician and songwriter known for his work with the band The Elephants.
• William Emmitt: Politician and former mayor of Columbia, South Carolina.
• Emmitt Brown: Actor and producer who has appeared in films such as The Moment, The Wedding Ringer and Straight Outta Compton.
• Emmitt Oaks: Singer and guitarist from the rock band Shwayze.
• Emmitt Valdez: Retired National Football League offensive lineman who played with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
• Emmitt Alexander: Actor and composer who is known for his work on the film The Blind Side.
• Emmitt Plugge: Former long-distance runner who is best known for winning the 1986 Chicago Marathon.
• Emmitt Thomas: Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback who played for the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1960s and 1970s.

Other surnames

Emmit