Surname Hazlett - Meaning and Origin
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Hazlett: What does the surname Hazlett mean?
Hazlett is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is derived from the ancient personal name "Hasculf", which is composed of two elements - "hasu", meaning "gray", and "wulf", meaning "wolf". Over time, this personal name evolved into surnames such as Haslett, Haslitt, Hazlitt, and Hazlett. So, the last name Hazlett can be loosely interpreted to mean a "gray wolf". The use of animals in surnames was often reflective of qualities admired in those times, such as the strength, courage, fierceness, and wisdom traditionally attributed to wolves. It is also a geographical surname, being common in areas of England and Scotland, and later brought to Ireland during the Ulster Plantation in the 17th-century. This surname is most prevalent in the United States and highest in Northern Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisHazlett: Where does the name Hazlett come from?
The surname Hazlett is of Scottish and Irish origin, likely derived from the Old English personal name "Haslett". It is thought to be a locational surname referring to individuals who may have resided in towns or villages named Haslett or Hazlett. The exact geography and era of the surname's origin are unclear, and it potentially may have emerged independently in several regions.
Today, Hazlett is most common in the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania, according to surname distribution data. The surname also remains prevalent in parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland given its Irish roots. It can be found in Canada and Australia, reflecting historical immigration patterns from the British Isles. However, the concentration of people named Hazlett in these areas is considerably less compared to the United States and Northern Ireland. In general, Hazlett is relatively uncommon even in the regions where it appears most frequently.
Variations of the surname Hazlett
The surname Hazlett seems to originate from England or Scotland and has various alternative spellings and variations. Some of these include Haslett, Haslet, Hasslett, Heslett, Hazlet, and Hazlitt. Others could possibly be Heslet, Haslitt, Hazelitt, Hazlit, and Hazelett.
The surname appears to be a diminutive or pet form of the name Hazel, a name originally given to people living near a hazel tree or grove. The -ett or -itt ending is a diminutive suffix from the Old French "-et". Therefore, some surnames of similar derivation could also have a connection, although distantly, such as Hazell, Haisell, Hazle, or Hessel.
A famous bearer of a variant of this surname is the British essayist and critic William Hazlitt. In the U.S., the surname Hazlett is most prevalent in Pennsylvania with smaller concentrations in Ohio and California. Over time, the exact spelling of surnames has often changed, leading to the many variations we see today.
Please note that a comprehensive investigation into the surnames' variants and their origins should be done by a professional genealogist or historian to confirm this information.
Famous people with the name Hazlett
- Thomas B. Hazlett: an economics professor and credited with developing "the rational theory of spectrum organization".
- Robert Hazlett: a Confederate military officer who served as a staff officer in the battles of Seven Pines, Second Manassas, and Gettysburg.
- Letitia Hazlett: operatic soprano who was the Philadelphia Opera Company's longtime principal soprano.
- John D. Hazlett: American politician who served in both the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives.
- Roy Hazlett: American football player who was part of the Pittsburgh Steelers inaugural season in 1933.
- Eric Hazlett: American actor, writer and director who is best known for his part in the Syfy channel show ‘The Beyond.
- Timothy J. Hazlett: American author whose works include Urban Space, Railroads, and the Transformation of the Antebellum City.
- Jimmy Hazlett: American composer and songwriter whose works include ‘Que Sera Sera’, ‘Have You Seen My Baby?’ and ‘Walkin Through Life’.
- J. Frank Hazlett: American college football coach who coached the Knox College football team from 1908 to 1910.
- Henry Hazlett: sound artist, field recording artist and performer whose works explore a variety of topics surrounding the relationship between sound, space, architecture and cultural systems.