Surname Collett - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the 'Collett' Legacy: A Journey into My Roots with iGENEA DNA Test

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery with the iGENEA DNA test, I traced the roots of my surname 'Collett' back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain, dispelling family tales of French origin, unveiled a surprising Viking heritage, and connected with Colletts across the globe.

Y. Collett

Collett: What does the surname Collett mean?

The name Collett is of English medieval origin. It is derived from the popular given name 'Nicholas' which is of Greek origin meaning 'victory of the people'. The Latin form of Nicholas is "Nicolaus" and it is from one of the short pet forms of this, such as Colin or Coll, that Collett is derived. The "-ett" suffix is a French diminutive meaning 'little' hence, 'little Coll or Colin.' Variations of the name include Collette, Collet, Collott, and others. As a surname, it may have been used to distinguish between two or more people with the same name, indicating 'the little one' or it may have developed into a patronymic surname, referring to 'the son of Colin'. Although it is less common as a first name, Collett can be used as both a first name and a surname. It is also worth noting that the frequency and distribution of the surname Collett can vary widely in different regions and countries.

Collett: Where does the name Collett come from?

The surname Collett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating from England. This surname is a pet form of the first name Nicholas, derived from the Greek 'Nikolaos', which means 'victory-people'. It was introduced to Britain after the Norman Conquest in the 11th-century. Over time, 'Collet' developed different variations such as Collett, Colet, Collete, Coulette, Colette, and Colete, among others.

The surname's spelling variations are largely due to the influence of the Old and Middle English languages in Britain. Old English had no fixed system of spelling rules and Middle English continued to reflect regional dialect variations, hence the various spelling forms.

Today, the Collett surname can be found in several countries including England, Australia, the United States, Canada, and South Africa. In England, it is especially popular in the central and southern regions of the country. Despite its diffusion, the Collett surname isn’t particularly common globally, ranking as the 9,753rd most common surname in the world.

Variations of the surname Collett

The surname Collett evolved from the personal name Nicholas. It's of English origin and it's prevalent in the British Isles. Variants and alternate spellings of the surname Collett include Collet, Collit, Collitt, Collette, Colletti, and Collettie. Other forms may also include Coullette and Colet, due to regional dialects and phonetic spellings.

The surname was often represented in Latin documents as "de Colletto", implying the family lived near a hill or high land. Similar derivation is found in Italian variant "Colletti". The Dutch/Flemish version is often Colet or Coletti.

In France, the surname can be Collette or Coulette. While in England, it may be spelled with a single 'L' or single 'T'. Furthermore, the surname may have patronymic or dimunitive endings like -son (Collettson) or -kin (Colletkin). This multitude of variations tracks the spread of the name with migrations and the transformation in different languages and cultures.

Different branches of the family may have evolved their own variants, creating many surnames with a common origin. While many names relate to the original holder's occupation, status, or location, it's interesting to note that Collett relates to a personal name.

Famous people with the name Collett

• Paul Collett: An English former footballer.
• Betty Collett: An Australian cricketer.
• Sophie Collett: A Swedish singer.
• Thomas Collett: A British zoologist.
• Jason Collett: A Canadian singer-songwriter.
• Andrew Collett: A British author and publisher.
• Michael Collett: A British film and TV producer.
• Victoria Collett: An American child actress.
• Jill Collett: A New Zealand athlete.
• Tony Collett: An Australian rugby player.
• Tracey Collett: An English horse rider.
• Sarah Collett: A Danish equestrian.
• John Collett: An Norwegian painter.
• Henry Collett: An English botanist.
• Daniel Collett: A British filmmaker.
• Chris Collett: An English cricketer.
• John Collett Postumus: An English surgeon.
• Don Collett: An English cricketer.
• Arthur Collett: An Australian cricketer.
• Joseph Collett: A British naval officer.

Other surnames

ColleccinoCollenCöllenCollensCollenwoodCollerColletCollettaColletteCollettiCollettoColley