Surname Uffett - Meaning and Origin

Uffett: What does the surname Uffett mean?

The last name Uffett is of German origin and is derived from the word 'offen', meaning 'open'. It is thought the name was given to people who lived and worked near open spaces, such as fields, gardens, and farms. The name may also have been taken on by people who lived near some kind of 'opening' such as a gate or doorway.

The Uffett surname first appears in records in the late 12th century, and the earliest recording of the name was of Walter Uffen in 1231. It was particularly common in the area of North Bavaria, where it is thought to have originated from.

The Uffetts have a fascinating history, with many notable members of the family throughout the years. Their connection to the area near North Bavaria is still strong, as many of the Uffett family still live in the same region today.

The Uffetts have contributed to and made an impact on German culture, politics and society for centuries, and the family is still considered to be prominent among German nobility.

In more recent years, the Uffetts have branched out and are found all over the world, with many individuals still carrying the surname proudly. The Uffett name still stands for openness, loyalty and respect, just as it has done for centuries.

Uffett: Where does the name Uffett come from?

The last name Uffett has its roots in Germany, though it is not a particularly common surname today. It is derived from the Middle High German for 'Uphoff' which in turn is derived from the old German 'Uphof' meaning one of open land or space. Uffett can primarily still be found in Germany, as well as in other parts of Europe such as Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands. It exists in smaller numbers in the United States, where Uffett families can be found mostly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Uffett surname is one of the few that become spelt differently in different countries. In the USA, it is written as ‘Uffert’, while in Sweden it is spelt ‘Ovssett’.

This surname, despite its more remote origins, is far from extinct; there are Uffett families in many countries still today. There are several Uffett descendants of note, from the novelist in German-occupied Czechoslovakia Thomas Uffet, to the restaurateur in London, Henry Uffett.

In modern times, the Uffett name is still seen, particularly in areas of Europe and the USA where many families with Germanic origins live. In many ways, the Uffett surname is living, adapting, and evolving - just like its members across the Globe.

Variations of the surname Uffett

The surname 'Uffett' is of French-Norman origin, and is thought to be derived from a Germanic given name "Uffo", which was a short form of "Ulfrich". This name is mainly found in England and was common in the south-west in the 13th century. Variants of the surname Uffett include Uffat, Uffo, Uffoe, Uffoot, Huffot, Huffett, Huffott and Uphott.

Uffett is also spelled as Uffitt, Ufitt, Uphitt, Uphat and uphit. It is believed that the nearest cognate of Uffett is the French name Aubet or Auvet. In medieval documents, this derived from Aubert. Other variants include Oberte, Aubret, Obrett, Apret, Aubret, Awbrought, Abercrombie and Oberty.

Surnames that descend from the Norman family of Uffet include Uffett, Uphit, Ufett, Uphitt, Huffat and Huffet. The name Uffett is also widely found in Ireland, where it is believed to have been established by settlers in the 16th century. Some alternate spellings in Ireland include Uft, Uffett, Fett, Phitt, and Fytt.

Uffett is sometimes also found as Hephzibah, Hezibah, Hezibia and Hephzibiah. This is likely the result of Anglicization of the Hebrew name "Chizqiya", which roughly translates to "Yahweh will protect me". Variations stemming from this origin include Hizzette, Hizzatt, Hozzett and Hazzett.

In Scotland, significant concentrations of the surname Uffett are found in the border counties of Kinross-shire, Dumfriesshire, and Selkirkshire. Variants of the name in Scotland include Huffat, Uphat, Ophat, Uffef and Uffoot.

Famous people with the name Uffett

• Julie Uffett: Actress, known for her role in the 2017 web series The Lammars and the short film People We May Know.
• Ryan Uffett: Actor, known for his roles in the music videos for Sage the Gemini’s “Good Thing” and Rezz’s “Terror Drone” as well as movies such as Revolution and Mushroom Sings.
• Reynaldo Uffett: Amerian athlete and former professional American Football player who played in the National Football League for the Memphis Express in 1979 and 1980.
• David Uffett: Adjunct professor of political science at the University of Alaska Anchorage who has received numerous awards for both his teaching and scholarship in the filed of international relations.
• Kay Uffett: Producer, director, and writer who has worked for a wide range of productions, including the short films Kinglet and Primal Oasis as well as the National Geographic documentary Deep Ocean Christmas.
• Jill Uffett: Author and editor of the children’s book The Wishing Fish Adventure.
• Matt Uffett: Musician, composer, and producer who has worked on various projects in a number of different genres building up a large portfolio of completed projects throughout his career.
• Henry Uffett: Historian and professor emeritus at Thiel College whose field of expertise is on the American Civil War and the American Antebellum period.
• Charles Uffett: Chief Information Security Officer at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
• Stephanie Uffett: Author and wildlife conservationist who has written extensively about the importance of preserving the habitats of threatened and endangered species.

Other surnames

Uffet