Surname Hewett - Meaning and Origin

Hewett: What does the surname Hewett mean?

The surname Hewett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the given name Heward or Huward, a name popular during the Middle Ages. It can be split into two elements: "hugh" (meaning heart, spirit or mind) and "weard" (meaning guard or protection). Hence, the combined meaning is often interpreted as "heart guard" or "spirit guardian". Over time, Heward or Huward evolved into Hewett, Hewitt, Hewet, Huett, Huit, or Huett. It's important to note that the spelling variants depended heavily on the phonetics of regional accents and the literacy of scribes or record-keepers. Therefore, the surname signifies a lineage tracing back to those named Heward or Huward and might indicate families who worked as personal guards or protectors. Nonetheless, it's still a prevalent surname in English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

Hewett: Where does the name Hewett come from?

The surname Hewett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, primarily found in England. It is derived from the personal name Hugh, which was hugely popular among the Normans and Anglos. It evolved from "Hugh" to "Huet" and finally to "Hewett". The "-ett" is a diminutive suffix indicating 'little', so Hewett means 'little Hugh'.

As per frequency, it is the most common in the United States, followed by England and Australia. Within the U.K., this surname is particularly prevalent in Kent. It has been widely dispersed over the centuries due to the common practice of British people immigrating to other continents like North America and Australia. A sizeable number of Hewetts were sent to Australia during the era of the Convict transportation. Therefore, it also has a notable presence in Australia.

Larger populations of people with the surname Hewett are present in these countries due to the initial spread from the British Isles and further population growth over time. Despite its geographical spread, it remains considerably less common than other surnames.

Variations of the surname Hewett

The surname Hewett has several variants and spellings stemming from its Anglo-Saxon origin. Some of these names also might have been modified over the years due to regional accents and spelling according to pronunciation.

Some common spelling variants include Hewitt, Hewet, Hewit, Hewatt, and Hewetts. The common elements in the name are the use of 'H', 'w', 'e', and 't', though the order and number of repetitions can change.

The surname can also appear with a prefix like "Mc" or "Mac" such as McHewett or MacHewett, which are more typical of Scottish or Irish surnames.

As for surnames of the same origin, they are names like Howell, Hoyt, and Hudson. These surnames also stem from the Anglo-Saxon era and have a similar "H" starting sound.

Additionally, in the case of anglicized versions of the Welsh name Hywel, Howell might also be used as an equivalent to Hewett—the phonetic similarity likely leading to the interchangeability of these names throughout history. These names share a common 'hue' sound and have evolved various spellings over time.

Overall, the surname Hewett has a rich history and numerous variants that reflect linguistic and regional influences in Britain.

Famous people with the name Hewett

• Jessica Hewett: An Australian singer-songwriter known for her jazz, blues, and pop songs.
• Dally Messenger: An Australian rugby league footballer and coach, widely regarded as the key figure in the establishment of the sport in Australia.
• Lillias Hewett: A British suffragette who played a prominent role in the campaign for women’s rights in the early 20th century.
• Miles Hewett: An English actor, known for his roles in Doctor Who, Torchwood, and Star Circuit.
• Stephen Hewett: An English author and lecturer, authoring books about literature, history and politics.
• Wilfred Hewett: An English cricketer, active between 1907 and 1922.
• Harold Hewett: An English footballer, playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. from 1905 to 1909.
• Edward Hewett: An American diplomat, serving as the United States Ambassador to Burma from 1932 to 1940.
• Jane Hewett: An Australian actress, known for her role in the film Living with the Enemy.
• Crispin Hewett: An English barrister and judge, serving as a Justice of the British Court of Appeal from 1975 to 1977.

Other surnames

HewetHewetson