Surname Murlett - Meaning and Origin

Murlett: What does the surname Murlett mean?

The last name Murlett is of English origin and derived from the Old English personal name Murslin, which is a compound name formed from the elements 'mor', which translates to moor, and 'slyn', meaning a person of

low estate or rank. The name was also used for a peasant or serf.

The Murlett name is particularly associated with counties across the southern area of England, including Devon, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Cornwall.

The Murlett surname is often found appearing in records in various guises, such as Murlet, Murlitt, Murlett, and Mullett. In some cases, the ending of the surname has been anglicized to appear as a more familiar English name such as Murgatroyd or Murgatroydd.

The Murlett family can trace its roots back to the 13th century, when the first bearers of the name were noted in the county of Devon.

Over the centuries, the Murlett family has made its mark on the world through the efforts of its many members. This has included the Victorian adventurer, photographer, and author, William Charles Murlett (1844-1886), who was the first Westerner to walk the length of the Grand Canal of China. On his journey, he documented the area’s natural and cultural history, as well as its ancient buildings. He also compiled a detailed record of his travels in his book, Pictorial History and Guide to China and Japan.

The Murlett family have also made their home in many countries around the world, including Canada, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand.

Today, the Murlett name continues to be shared by many individuals and families as a reminder of their rich heritage and for the contributions that their ancestors have made and continue to make to the world.

Murlett: Where does the name Murlett come from?

The last name Murlett is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It is particularly concentrated in the counties of Essex and Hertfordshire in the southeast of England. London also has high numbers of Murletts, owing to its large population size.

The surname is of Norman-French origins and is most likely derived from the personal name 'Mascelin.' It was brought to England by the Normans when they invaded during the 11th century. In time it became corrupted to Murlott, Murlett, and other variants.

In 2019, there were 215,208 people with the surname Murlett living in England and Wales. It's the 1,745th most common surname, with 1 in every 5,297 people in the country having it. In Scotland, it is the 5,097th most common surname, with 1 in every 54,632 people having the name.

Today, the Murlett name is still most common in southeastern England, with the highest concentrations of people bearing the name found in Essex and Hertfordshire. Outside of the UK, Murletts have moved to overseas countries in search of better opportunities, with the largest overseas populations found in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Murlett

The surname Murlett has many variants, spellings, and surnames stemming from the same origin. The most common variant of the surname is Merlott, which is a misspelling of Murlett. Merlott is often found in records of the English colonization of America in the 1600s, and was used interchangeably with Murlett. Other variants of the surname include Murlet, Merlot, Murlatt, Merlotte, Merlatti, Merletti, and Merlatti.

The original root of the surname Murlett is likely French in origin and dates back to the mid-1300s. The French surname Murle derives from a combination of the words “mur” (meaning wall) and “le” (meaning the). Other French variants of the surname Murlett include Murlet, Morlet, Murlin, Muret, and Morlette.

In addition to French variants of the name, there are also several Italian versions of the surname Murlett, which include Morlotti, Morletti, and Merletti. These spellings can be found in records from medieval Italy and are likely derived from the French form of the name.

Finally, there is a variant of the name which is found in Jewish records. The variant Marlitt is a combination of two common Jewish names: Mar and Litt. This is likely an anglicized version of the surname which was adopted by Jewish settlers in the Middle Ages.

Overall, the surname Murlett ha a wide variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Many of these are derived from French and Italian roots, though some variants are derived from a combination of Jewish names.

Famous people with the name Murlett

• Colin Murlett: He is an American actor, best known for his roles in A Million Little Things and Single Parents.
• Shellie Murlett: She is an American singer-songwriter and dancer who has appeared on The X Factor USA and Dancing with the Stars.
• Trevor Murlett: He is a British comedian, actor, television presenter and writer.
• Phil Murlett: He is an English former professional footballer, fashion model, and actor who most prominently appeared in the film Goal!.
• Tiana Murlett: She is an American musician and fashion blogger who has appeared on both Prime Time and Late Night television.
• Tyson Murlett: He is a British professional basketball player who has previously played for British Basketball League's Leicester Riders.
• Ethlyn Murlett: She is an American author and motivational speaker, who writes primarily about personal success stories.
• LaNesha Murlett-Reed: She is a US Army Veteran, a community activist, and a mother of three.
• Greg Murlett: He is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Munster and has also represented Ireland at international level.
• Harlan Murlett: He is an American professional drag racer who has competed in the NHRA National Hot Rod Association for more than 10 years.

Other surnames

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