Surname Pickitt - Meaning and Origin

Pickitt: What does the surname Pickitt mean?

The surname "Pickitt" does not have a specific meaning as such from a linguistic or etymological perspective. It is most likely of English origin and seems to be relatively rare. The surname may possibly have been derived from a nickname, profession, or location, which was common in early England. For instance, it might have been linked to someone who used a pick-axe or similar tool, but this is merely speculative. It should be noted that the derivative of surnames can be complex and elusive; changes in spelling, pronunciation, and record-keeping over centuries can obscure their origins. Thus, finding a specific meaning for the surname "Pickitt" without a detailed genealogical analysis might be difficult. It is, however, a unique name that confers individuality to those who bear it.

Pickitt: Where does the name Pickitt come from?

The last name Pickitt is not especially common today; the most recent US Census (2020) revealed that it is the 25,696th most popular surname in the nation. It is particularly concentrated in regions like Florida, Texas, and North Carolina, though it is still quite uncommon—tallying a mere 1,202 individuals in the US. Nevertheless, the last name was significantly more prevalent in earlier times. In the 1880 US Census, for instance, Pickitt was the 8,005th most popular last name, and the numbers mushroomed to 17th most popular in Great Britain and Ireland in 1891. This suggests that Pickitt was likely a regional name for certain areas in the late nineteenth century, with many of its original bearers having since migrated away or changed their surnames. Thus, the last name Pickitt today is relatively uncommon around the world, though it might still crop up in certain regions as a vestige of the past.

Variations of the surname Pickitt

The surname Pickitt has several variations, spellings, and cognates. Variants include Picket, Pyckett, Pakeett, Packitt, and Pykaett.

Spellings are also sometimes varied, and may include Pickit, Picket, Pyckit, Paket, and Pykeet.

Surnames of the same origin include: Pickering, Pickerill, Picking, Pickin, Pickinger, Picken, Pickenham, and Pichen.

These surnames share the same etymological root—the Middle English “pic(k)en,” or to “peck,” likely referring to a person who tends or treats poultry. Additionally, the surname may have referred to someone who lived in or near a market or a picketing fence.

The origin of the surname can be traced back to various English counties, including Norfolk, Northampton, and Suffolk, during the 14th and 15th centuries. It likely spread to America, Canada, and New Zealand during the 18th and 19th centuries as English migration increased.

The Pickitt surname is also relatively common in several Australian states, with the highest concentration found in Victoria. It is less common in the United States, but the highest rate can be found in New York.

In the United States, the Pickitt surname is the 5,541st most common last name.

In sum, the surname Pickitt has several variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These are likely derived from the Middle English “pic(k)en”, or to “peck”, and it has been found in various English counties, America, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Famous people with the name Pickitt

• Mollie Pickitt, American ice hockey player
• Samuel Pickitt, British watercolor artist
• Amy Pickitt, American model
• Robert Pickitt, American football player
• Peter Pickitt, American composer
• Matthew Pickitt, Australian Olympic rower
• Nate Pickitt, American singer-songwriter
• Alex Pickitt, Canadian footballer
• Henry Pickitt, British entrepreneur
• James Pickitt, Australian rugby player

Other surnames

PickinPickins