Surname Bartlett - Meaning and Origin

Understanding the Roots of the Bartlett Surname through an iGENEA DNA Test

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L. Bartlett

Bartlett: What does the surname Bartlett mean?

The surname Bartlett is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal name Bartholomew. Bartholomew itself is a biblical name, which came from the Aramaic name "Bar-Talmy" meaning "son of Talmai". The surname Bartlett is essentially a diminutive or pet form of Bartholomew and originated as a term of endearment. The "-ett" suffix is an indication of this diminutive form. This surname was widely popularized in the Middle Ages due to St. Bartholomew, the patron saint of tanners, vintners, and butlers whose feast day was widely celebrated on August 24th. One popular variant of the surname in its early uses was Bartlet. Over time, this surname has seen usage in England, the United States, and other English-speaking countries. It is important to note that the meaning of a surname can vary based on its cultural and historical context.

Bartlett: Where does the name Bartlett come from?

The surname Bartlett is of English origin. It evolved from the personal name Bartholomew, which arrived in Britain with the Normans during the 11th century. Bartholomew was Latinized to Bartolomeus and later shortened to Bartlett. The "-ett" suffix was commonly added to abbreviated names during Middle English times, denoting "little" or "junior".

Today, the surname is common in England and the United States. In England, it is most prevalent in the West Midlands and Southwest regions, including the counties of Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall. In the United States, it is particularly prevalent in the Northeast, particularly in New England, likely due to the historical movement of English people to this part of the country during the colonial period. The surname is also common in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Regardless of where individuals with the Bartlett surname are located today, many can likely trace their heritage back to English ancestors, given the surname's origins. Furthermore, individuals with this surname might also have connections to occupations related to farming or fruit cultivation, given that "bartlett" is a term used for a type of pear.

Variations of the surname Bartlett

The surname Bartlett has several different variants, primarily due to geographical influences, regional pronunciation differences, and different methods of spelling across time and cultures. Some of these variants include Bartlet, Bartlitt, Berlett, Bartlert, and Bardlett.

The route of these spellings can be traced back to the medieval given name Bartolomew. In the Middle Ages in England, it was common to use diminutives or pet names with the addition of a suffix '-et', hence Bartholomew converted to Bartlet.

In addition to this, some names of similar origin can also be connected to the surname Bartlett. These include Parlett, Bartle, Bartleet, Bartoletti, Barthel, Bartels, Bartl, and Bartele. Variants of spellings across different nationalities exist as well, such as the French Bartelot, Latin Bartholomaeus and the Italian Bartolomeo.

Different alphabets also play a major role in the variation of this surname. For example, in Slavic countries, it may be spelled as Bartolet, Bartolec or Bartulic. Similarly, across Germany and Austria, it can be found as Bartl or Bärtl. In Hungary, the name Bartal is a related form.

In conclusion, the surname Bartlett and its related forms have widespread occurrence across many regions, reflecting the prominent influence of the name Bartolomeo or Bartholomew in various languages and cultures.

Famous people with the name Bartlett

• Josiah Bartlett: a physician and statesman who signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
• Bonita Bartlett: an American television producer known for her work on Quincy, M.E. and Magnum, P.I.
• Dewey Bartlett: the 19th governor of Oklahoma from 1967 to 1971 and a U.S. Senator from 1973 to 1979.
• John Bartlett: an American fashion designer who launched his own brand in 1992.
• Bruce Bartlett: an economic historian and author who served as a domestic policy advisor to Ronald Reagan.
• Robert Bartlett: a British historian, known for his work on medieval history.
• Geoff Bartlett: an Australian comedian best known for his work on The Comedy Company.
• Allison Bartlett: an actress famous for playing Gina on Sesame Street.
• Craig Bartlett: an American animator known as the creator the animated series "Hey Arnold!".
• Paul Waymond Bartlett: an American sculptor known for his bronze statues in the early 20th century.
• Roscoe Bartlett: a U.S. Representative from Maryland from 1993 to 2013.
• Jennifer Bartlett: an American artist known for her paintings and prints.
• David Bartlett: the 43rd premier of Tasmania, from 2008 to 2011.
• Sy Bartlett: an American author and screenwriter, best known for his work on Twelve O'Clock High.

Other surnames

BartleBärtleBartlebaughBartlechnerBartlerBartlesonBartletBartley