Surname Ginnett - Meaning and Origin
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Ginnett: What does the surname Ginnett mean?
The surname Ginnett is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is thought to have been derived from a personal byname. The surname is believed to be derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word "ginn," which meant "tongs" or "pincers." This may have been given to someone who specialized in metalwork or to someone who was tall and slim, with long arms resembling a pair of tongs. Alternatively, it may have been derived from an Anglo-Saxon personal name "Gynn," composed of the elements "gyne," meaning "birth," and "hild," meaning "war." It is possible that these origins refer to a brave or courageous fighter.
Ginnett is an uncommon surname that is found mostly in England. Records of the name date back to the thirteenth century and include Richard Gynet of the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1292 and Roger Gynnette, recorded in the 1275 Feet of Fines of Suffolk. Today, Ginnett is most often found in the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Kent.
Order DNA origin analysisGinnett: Where does the name Ginnett come from?
The last name Ginnett is most commonly found in Ireland, especially in southeastern counties such as County Kerry and Cork. It also has a strong presence in the United States, particularly in New England (Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut) and the Mid-Atlantic (Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland). Outside of these areas, the surname is still present, albeit less frequently, in the rest of the United States, as well as in other countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Originating in Ireland during the 19th century, the Ginnett surname is thought to have derived from the Irish 'ginnet', meaning 'girl'. This suggests that the first Ginnetts were daughter children, or those granted family names which had previously been exclusively reserved for male offspring.
At the time of the 1901 and 1911 censuses, over 460 Ginnetts resided in Ireland. Dublin was the region with the highest concentration, followed by Limerick, Louth, and Waterford. The 1911 survey recorded a total of 1,104 Ginnett individuals in Scotland, England, and Wales; the greatest numbers of whom lived in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and London.
Since the early 21st century, Ginnett has continued to spread around the world. The number of Ginnetts in the United States in particular has skyrocketed, with over 12,000 individuals by the year 2020. In England and Wales, there were an estimated 4,000 Ginnett individuals between the 2001 and 2011 censuses; the vast majority born in the 1990s and 2000s.
Today, the last name Ginnett is widely distributed throughout most of today's modern countries and it is safe to say that the Ginnetts of the world will be well represented in future generations to come.
Variations of the surname Ginnett
The surname Ginnett has had many variant spellings over the years. These variations have been passed down through generations, and they come from a variety of countries and cultures.
The most common variants of Ginnett include Ignat, Genet, Janet, Genito, Generet, Gannett, Ginnetti, Ginnette, Ginnote, Gynette, Gynnette, Gennyt, Ginette, and Gennitt.
These variations of Ginnett can be found throughout England and Scotland, as well as France, Italy, and other countries in Europe. In England and Scotland, you may also find the surnames Ginnoch, Ginelli, Ginnery, and Gynner.
In France, Ginnett is often found as Ginno, Genet, Ginette, and Gensette. In Italy, it can be found as Genetti, Ginell, Janetti, and Janetto.
Ginnett is also a Jewish surname, originating from the Hebrew name "Ganet," meaning garden or orchard.
Finally, Ginnett can also be found in various forms in countries such as Canada, United States, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Czech Republic, and Denmark. In the United States, you may find the surnames Gennett, Gynnette, or Ginell.
No matter the variation, Ginnett is a surname with many spelling variations that are easily recognizable and linked to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Ginnett
- Mark Ginnett: American actor and television director
- Paul Ginnett: American television producer and actor
- Kelly Ginnett: American actress
- Alan Ginnett: former American professional ice hockey player
- Chris Ginnett: American NASCAR driver
- Bobby Ginnett: Professional Golfer
- John Ginnett: former Major League Baseball player
- Dianne Ginnett: American politician
- Bruce Ginnett: American painter and sculptor
- Michael Ginnett: Former American soccer player and coach