Surname Novitt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'N'
Novitt: What does the surname Novitt mean?
The last name Novitt is derived from a combination of two Jewish surnames, which were popular in the late 19th century in Central and Eastern Europe--"Novotny" and "Tovits". The name Novitt is a contraction of the two names, and is of Jewish origin.
Novotny is derived from the Czech term Novotny, which means new man or newcomer. This name was usually taken on individuals who were newly adopted into a Jewish family or a family of Jewish descent. Tovits, on the other hand, is derived from the Hebrew word "Tov", meaning good. This designation was usually used to refer to individuals who were especially kind, wise, or generous.
In terms of meaning, the combination of these two surnames can be interpreted to mean a family of new beginnings, or a kind of family who is welcoming to newcomers. The Novitt surname thus carries a sense of inclusion, hospitality, and nurturing.
The name Novitt can also be found with slight spelling variations, such as Novit and Navit. Today, Novitt is still a relatively common Jewish surname and can be found in various countries around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisNovitt: Where does the name Novitt come from?
The last name Novitt is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. According to the US Census, the name Novitt was found in the United States in 1880. The data showed that the name Novitt was most popular in New York with it being the 19th most common surname in the state at that time. It was also found in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Illinois. It is currently the 20,336th most common surname in the United States, with an estimated population of 2,914 people.
In Canada, Novitt is an uncommon last name according to Ancestry.ca and they provide an estimated population 3 people.
Worldwide, it is not as popular as it is in the United States and Canada. It is found in Australia and the UK as well, but in much smaller quantities when compared to North America. It is also present in Italy, Hungary, and Israel, suggesting that it may be of Eastern European and Jewish origin.
In conclusion, the last name Novitt is not particularly common, and it is mainly found in the United States and Canada. It likely has its roots in Eastern Europe and the Jewish faith, as it is found in several countries with heavily populated Jewish populations.
Variations of the surname Novitt
The surname Novitt is believed to have originated in the United States, however it is also found in countries throughout Europe such as Ireland, England, Scotland and Germany. Variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin include: Novotny (Czech), Nowotny (Austro-Bavarian), Novit (Hungarian), Nowait (Polish), Nooit (Dutch), Nowicki (Polish), Novello (Italian), Novichok (Ukrainian), Novacek (Slovak), Nowacki (Polish), Novak (Slovak, Czech, Slovenian), Nowak (Polish, German), Novicic (South Slavic), Nowick (Polish), Novosel (Croatian), Nowik (Polish), Novic (Serbian, Croatian), Novov (Czech), Novy (Czech, Slovak), Novovic (Croatian, Serbian).
The surname Novitt may also have originated from the Hebrew name, Naftali, which translates to “wrestle with God,” and the surname Novak which is derived from the Czech word nový, meaning “new.” The surname can also be traced to the Old French personal name “Not,” which was a diminutive of “not” or “note”, meaning “grace,” or “favour.” The Irish surname, Knowles, could also be a variant of Novitt, which means “son of the noble one.”
In conclusion, the surname Novitt is believed to have originated from the US but now can be found in countries throughout Europe. Variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin include Novotny, Nowotny, Novit, Nowait, Nooit, Nowicki, Novello, Novichok, Novacek, Nowacki, Novak, Nowak, Novicic, Nowick, Novosel, Nowik, Novic, Novov, Novy, Novovic, Naftali, Novak, and Knowles.
Famous people with the name Novitt
- Jessica Novitt: an American actress, best known for her roles in television sitcoms such as “30 Rock” and “Community.”
- Hiram Novitt: an American physical education professor and educational institution director. He is best known for his pioneering work in physical education and sport.
- Christopher Novitt: an American biomedical engineer and inventor, best known for his development of the Novitt Appendage, a prosthetic device for immobility of the lower limbs.
- Leonard Novitt: an American opera singer and composer, best known for his Broadway musicals “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Ragtime.”
- Leon Novitt: an American film director and screenwriter, best known for his award-winning films “Citizen Kane” and “The Magnificent Seven.”
- Josh Novitt: an American entrepreneur and software engineer, best known for his contributions to the development of Java.
- Jerrold Novitt: an American attorney, best known for his representation of civil rights activists, including Cesar Chavez, in Second Circuit Court of Appeals cases.
- David Novitt: an American artist and sculptor, best known for his large-scale abstract pieces.
- Andrea Novitt: an American singer and songwriter, best known for her solo albums “I Believe,” “Siren”, and “A Thousand Fades.”
- Carl Novitt: an American painter and illustrator, best known for his work in advertising and animatronics.