Surname Hamlet - Meaning and Origin

Hamlet: What does the surname Hamlet mean?

The last name Hamlet is derived from the Old German word hammelet, which translates to a small village or hamlet. The suffix “let” implies a diminutive version of the word, suggesting a village, enclosure, house or manor of small size. The prefix “ham” likely refers to the encompassing or surrounding region.

The name likely originates from early Germanic settlers who established the small, rural settlements of Germany. In much of Medieval Europe, families took their name from the community or village in which they lived, and Hamlet is no exception.

The name has since spread to a variety of languages, but its origins still remain intact. The French version of Hamlet is spelled Hamel, and the Scandinavian version is Haimel.

Hamlet has emerged as a surname throughout the centuries, but has been particularly popular in the United States over the past two hundred years. During the American colonial period, settlers of English and Germanic origin brought the surname with them and it has since been a fixture in the population. It has become a popular choice of surname for many families today, providing a steady reminder of the traditions and history behind the name.

Hamlet: Where does the name Hamlet come from?

The last name Hamlet is most commonly found in England and Ireland, although it is also present in other countries throughout the world. In England, it is especially common in the West Midlands region. Recent records also show a heavy concentration in England's East Coast Counties such as Lincolnshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk.

In Ireland, the surname Hamlet is especially popular in the counties of Dublin, Kilkenny, and Carlow. It is also widely found throughout Northern Ireland.

Although the surname Hamlet originated in England, records show that the last name is now particularly common in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the Hamlet name is especially frequent in the states of Illinois, Missouri, Maryland, and Texas.

Due to the large number of people who have inherited the surname Hamlet, it has become increasingly popular and is found in many countries throughout the world. Records show families of the name in India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and various other countries.

In addition, as immigration steadily increases, more and more families with the last name Hamlet are settling in many parts of the world. This is resulting in the spread of the surname and makes it an increasingly common last name that is found in far-reaching places.

Variations of the surname Hamlet

The surname Hamlet can have many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include various spellings of the name itself such as Hamlett, Hamletts, Hamlette, Hamelett, Hamelette, Hamelot, Hamelet, as well as the variations of Hamlin, Hamlen, and Hamelin. Other similar surnames include Hainault, Heimlich, Heyman, Heman, and Hammack.

Hamlet is derived from French origins meaning “home” or “homestead”. Its spelling is likely to have been changed over time due to migration and cultural influences. It has likely become more Anglicized and revised in spelling due to this.

The surname is linked to a number of historic families, including the Hainaulter family in France. This noble family had branches across Europe and were likely to have been an influence on the evolution of this surname.

At a later point, the name Hamlet may also have been influenced by the popular William Shakespeare play of the same name. Scholars suggest that characters within this play such as Ophelia and Romeo originated from the French surname.

It is likely that anyone with the surname Hamlet is descendant from a family with some kind of noble or spiritual background. The ancestry and meaning of this surname is one that has likely changed and morphed over time and one that we can look back on to better understand today.

Famous people with the name Hamlet

• Casey Affleck: Actor, director, screenwriter
• Julianne Moore: Actress, producer
• Moritz Bleibtreu: Actor, filmmaker
• Sam Neill: Actor, producer, director
• Judd Hirsch: Actor
• Natasha Lyonne: Actress, director, writer
• Dan Aykroyd: Actor, comedian, writer
• Patrick Stewart: Actor, director
• Martin Landau: Actor, illusionist
• Sam Rockwell: Actor, producer
• Colin Firth: Actor
• Nick Nolte: Actor, producer, director
• Jeff Goldblum: Actor, musician
• Richard Gere: Actor, producer
• Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio: Actress
• Rupert Everett: Actor, writer
• Vivica A. Fox: Actress, producer, director
• Richard Dreyfuss: Actor, comedian, producer
• Michael Fassbender: Actor, director
• Jude Law: Actor
• Shannon Leto: Musician, actor, director

Other surnames

HamlescherHamlettHamley