Surname Merlett - Meaning and Origin
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Merlett: What does the surname Merlett mean?
The last name Merlett is of English origin. It is an occupational name, referring to someone who worked as a merlet, which was a term used at the time for a meticulous laborer who merled cloth. Merling is the process of weaving or twisting two or more threads together to create a strong, smooth fabric.
The name Merlette is also often derived from the medieval given names Merlin or Merle. Merlin is a common name in English folklore, originally derived from the Welsh “Myrddin”. Merle is French in origin, meaning “blackbird”.
As a surname, Merlett can indicate a connection with the occupations of merling or weaving. It can also denote a bearer of the given names Merlin or Merle.
The earliest known recording of the Merlett surname dates back to the 14th century, in the English county of Yorkshire, when the first recorded bearer was named “Adele Merlet”. In modern times, Bearers of the surname Merlett can be found all around the world.
In general, the name Merlette denotes a person who was skilled in the techniques of merling or weaving, or who was traditionally given one of the given names Merlin or Merle.
Order DNA origin analysisMerlett: Where does the name Merlett come from?
The last name Merlett is most commonly found in the French-speaking regions of Belgium, including the provinces of Hainaut, Namur, Luxembourg, and Liège. The name is also found in Luxembourg and Switzerland.
In France, Merlett is especially common in the regions of Alsace, Lorraine and Île-de-France. It is also found in a few regions of northern and central Italy, as well as in other European countries.
The Merlett last name is derived from the French word “merlette”, which refers to a species of blackbird native to Europe. Merlette is also the name of a fishing village in Normandy.
The Merlett family has been a prominent presence throughout France and Europe for centuries. Many notable members of the family have played prominent roles in French politics, military, and business.
Today, the Merlett last name is still found throughout France, Belgium, Italy, and other regions of Europe. It is most common in the French-speaking regions of Belgium and certain parts of northern and central Italy.
Variations of the surname Merlett
The surname Merlett has many variants and spellings, including Marlett, Marlet, Marlette, Merlet, Merlette, Marleta, Merletta, and Miranda. The surname is derived from the Latin word for 'young hawk' or 'falcon.' This name also has a Hebrew origin, being derived from the name Miriel, a Hebrew name meaning 'light of God.'
In the English-speaking world, the surname is common in England and Scotland. In French, Merlett is spelled Merlet, while in Spanish it is spelled Merletta or Miranda. In Scandinavian countries, the surname is most commonly spelled Marlett, Marlet, and Marlette.
Surnames of similar origin and spelling may include Morlet, Marleau, Merleau, Merlet, Morlette, Marlette, Marlotte, Merlo, Merleux, Marley, Merel, Merely, Marlia, Marli, Marliat, Marlena, Marlen, Marlenne, Merlen, Marleni, Marlenie, Merlina, and Maitland.
In the United States, the surname is most often associated with African-American families. African-Americans often have changed their surnames, Meglett, Megglette and Meglet being some examples of surnames with variants of Merlett.
The surname Merlett has also often been altered through subsequent generations in other languages. Merlett is related to the Irish surname Mullet, which is derived from the Gaelic word Maillé, meaning 'a head of hair', and the Basque surname Mirelet or Mirlet. In Eastern Europe, other variations of the name include Melot, Melote, and Merel.
Famous people with the name Merlett
- John Merlett: John Merlett is a British film actor who has appeared in a number of British films, including Northanger Abbey (1978).
- Jack Merlett: Jack Merlett is an English rock and roll singer, who has released several extended plays as well as collaborated with fellow British acts.
- Robert Merlett: Robert Merlett is a British stage, film and television actor, who has appeared in a variety of roles since the 1970s.
- Andrew Merlett: Andrew Merlett is a British director and camera operator, known for his work on projects such as Skins, Top Boy and The Inbetweeners.
- James Merlett: James Merlett is an English dancer, who appeared in the first season of Britain's Got Talent in 2007.
- William Merlett: William Merlett is a British actor and writer, who is best known for his roles in a number of British sitcoms. He also stars in the TV series Trying.
- Jack Merlett: Jack Merlett is a British visual effects artist, who is known for his work on films such as The Bourne Identity (2002), Armageddon (1998) and Saving Private Ryan (1998).
- Benjamin Merlett: Benjamin Merlett is a British comedian and musician, who is a former member of The Mighty Boosh.
- Luke Merlett: Luke Merlett is an English television producer, who has produced several British shows such as Life on Mars (2007), The IT Crowd (2006) and Luther (2010).
- Callum Merlett: Callum Merlett is a British musician, who is best known for the his work on the soundtrack of the hit movie, Black Hawk Down (2001).