Surname Oviatt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Oviatt: What does the surname Oviatt mean?
The last name Oviatt is a variant spelling of the surname Oviate, which is derived from the Old French words "ové" and "eviate," which mean "falling in a place". This would suggest that the name was likely given to someone who owned a piece of land that wasnned a steep hill or slope, giving the visual impression of something falling or tumbling downwards. The ancient family of Oviate first emerged in Lancashire, England during the Middle Ages.
The name Oviatt has an English and Irish origin, and has also been spelled variously in records in the past, including Overatt and Uvia. There are many variations in spelling, as without the advent of standardised spelling conventions during this time period, spelling often depended upon who was writing the record, and how it sounded when spoken aloud.
The Oviatt surname is known to be linked to many prominent members of society during its history, with numerous Oviatt family names appearing in the 1881 British census. Some of these notable people include Sir Henry Oviatt, Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1664 to 1688; Thomas Chamley Oviatt, a 19th-century British Member of Parliament; and Rev. Thomas Weinley Oviatt, the rector of the Church of England church from 1873 to 1905.
Overall, the name Oviatt is not as common as some other British surnames, but its owners were certainly of noteworthy standing when it was in use. The meaning of “falling in a place” was probably more significant to them at the time; it is certainly interesting to see how a geographical origin could associate with such an illustrious family over history.
Order DNA origin analysisOviatt: Where does the name Oviatt come from?
The surname Oviatt is most common in the United States today, especially in the Midwest and parts of the Northeast. It is a small rare name found in select parts of the United States, as well as in Canada, Australia, and Europe. In the United States, the highest concentration of Oviatt is in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Specifically in Wisconsin, the highest concentration is in the southeastern part of the state and in the counties of Kenosha and Racine.
The surname Oviatt originated in England around the 12th Century. It is believed to be from the old French word "Ouest" meaning "west" and the old German words "viatt" or "viatz" meaning "ways". This could refer to someone living in or passing through the western part of England.
In North America, the surname Oviatt first shows up in the records of Massachusetts in 1647 when one Thomas Oviatt was granted land in Martha's Vineyard. The Oviatt's spread across the northeastern United States during the next century. As settlement spread, more and more Oviatt's made their way to Wisconsin and parts of the Midwest.
Today, the last name Oviatt is not particularly common, even in the Midwest, but the few Oviatt families are proud of their heritage and work to keep the name alive for future generations.
Variations of the surname Oviatt
The surname Oviatt is a historically English name that is derived from the Old English word wifiges meaning 'to trade'. Variations of the name include Ovatt, Ovet, Ovatte and Oveat. It can also be found as Ovitt, Oviett, Oviet and Ovett.
In some locations, the surname Oviatt has appeared with alternate spellings such as of Ovigh and Ovighy. This spelling variation is closely related to the original spelling and is found mainly in northern England.
The French version of the name is Oviat. Other French spelling variations include Oviay, Ovié, Oviée, Oviéy, and Oviay. Variations of the name can also be found in Norway as Oving, meaning 'coming from the woods'.
In the United States, the name Oviatt has changed to Ovitt. In the mid-1900's, many immigrants from England changed the spelling of their name due to increased literacy rates and assimilation into American culture.
The surname Oviatt has a few other variants, including Ovey, Oveys, Ovejs and Ovejs. The name has also become popular in Ireland, where variations such as O'Vatta and O'Viatte have been found.
In Scotland, the spelling of the surname becomes O'Vieatt or O'Vieatte. Over the centuries, the name Oviatt has spread to other areas around the world, with variants popping up in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Oviatt
- Darren Oviatt: Professional basketball player for the Ukrainian team Dnipro Azot.
- Joseph Oviatt: Former football coach and player for the University of Oregon Ducks who was later inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.
- Brent Oviatt: Professional race car driver who raced in the NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA Re/Max Series.
- Terry Oviatt: First female athletic director in the history of the Pac-10 conference, holding a position at Arizona State from 1994-2002.
- Phillip Oviatt: Professional dancer in the Oklahoma City Ballet.
- Jerry Oviatt: Former cornerback for the Denver Broncos and UFC fighter.
- K.C. Oviatt: Award-winning Hollywood producer, writer and director.
- Lee Oviatt: Former football coach for the University of Utah, who also received an honorary doctorate degree for his contributions to the sport.
- Ralph Oviatt: Former professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox.
- Nicole Oviatt: Award-winning fitness instructor, champion bodybuilder, and former junior Olympic gymnast.