Surname Malette - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Malette: What does the surname Malette mean?
The last name Malette is of French origin and is an occupational name for someone who made mallets, which were large wooden hammers. Malettes could be used to crush or grind materials like wood, grain, or spices, or to fit pieces of construction material like stone or brick tightly together.
The surname Malette first appeared in Paris in the 14th century with a soldier, Galamettus, who was present at the siege of Angevin Castle. His descendants became known as Malettes, and the name spread throughout France and beyond. It is still present in the Paris area today.
Malette is a very uncommon surnam, making up less than 0.2% of the population of France, and is even more rare in other countries. Variants of the name include Mallet, Malletier, Malleaux, Malletot, Mallereau, and Mollerette. However, the names could be easy to confuse with other similar surnames such as Millard, Millot, or Millet.
In more recent times, the Malette surname has been associated with several notable sports figures. For example. Olympic international medalist in biathlon, Michel Malec, and tennis player, Sebastian Malette, both carry the Malette last name.
The Malette surname has been linked to the regions of North America for several centuries, but it is now highly uncommon. Malette is a unique surname which sets those who bear it apart from the rest.
Order DNA origin analysisMalette: Where does the name Malette come from?
The last name Malette is typically associated with French Canadian, European French, and French Métis populations. Firstly, the French Canadian segment is mainly concentrated in Quebec and Ontario, countries located in Eastern Canada. This is due to the great influx of settlers from France first arriving in 1608 which shaped the French Canadian population of the region. In Europe, the French language is mainly found in France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. This is likely where the European French segment originates. The French Métis population is located mainly within Canada’s Prairie provinces, such as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. This population is a combination of Indigenous and French Canadian blood and mainly developed after the arrival of French settlers in the 1600s.
Overall, Malette is a relatively uncommon name; however, it is most commonly found in these three regions of Canada and Europe. Interestingly, more complexity can be added to this name as it is thought to have multiple spellings, such as Malliette, Mallat, Malat, and Mellat. Even with its rareness today, the name is a unique marker of many peoples’ French descent. It is a name that signifies the great expanse of global migration and population shifts over the course of time. In this way, the name Malette is completely intertwined with history.
Variations of the surname Malette
The surname 'Malette' has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most direct spelling of Malette is the French spelling Mallette. There are also variant spellings Marettes (French), Mallet (French), Mallatte (French), and Mallet (English).
There is also a variant surname, Malletts, which is an altered spelling of Malette. Malletts is an occupational name derived from the Middle English word "mallett" meaning "hammer." This could be given to someone who worked in a forge making tools, for example.
In addition to the above, there are a variety of surnames historically derived from the Malette surname. These include Maletta, Malissone, Malassone, Malisson, Malissine, Mallaci, Mallachi, and Mallache. All of these surnames evolved over time from the ancestral Malette surname.
Finally, there is a Dutch variant of Malette spelled "Mallett" or "Malet," which can trace its roots back to a place name for a hill in Limburg.
Overall, Malette is a multi-faceted surname with numerous spelling variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. There is even evidence that suggests multiple regions for its origin, though some are still disputed.
Famous people with the name Malette
- Rob Malette: Rob Malette is a Canadian folk singer, songwriter, and actor known for his intense and introspective lyrics. He is a four-time Juno Award nominee and has had songs featured on TV and in film.
- Elias Malette: Elias Malette is a French professional basketball player who plays for the Strasbourg IG.
- Nick Malette: Nick Malette is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and musical director from Canada. He is best known for his work with the likes of Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepson, and Pitbull.
- Jonathon Malette: Jonathon Malette is a Canadian football player for the Ottawa Redblacks, part of the Canadian Football League.
- Ron Mallette: Ron Mallette is an American art curator and director of the Michael C. Carlos Museum. He is also a founding member of the Association of Art Museum Directors.
- Mark Malette: Mark Malette is a Canadian classic rock musician best known as a founding member of the band Rush.
- Rocky Malette: Rocky Malette is an independent filmmaker from Canada known for his emotionally-driven features and documentaries.
- Andre Malette: Andre Malette is a Canadian filmmaker and author, best known for his book "L'Accusation Francaise: les Crimes Contre L'humanité".
- Rich Malette: Rich Malette is an American music producer and mixer known for his work with the likes of T-Pain, Kid Cudi, and J. Cole.
- Jeffrey Malette: Jeffrey Malette is a Canadian fashion designer who is best known for his couture eveningwear and luxury sportswear.