Surname Harriott - Meaning and Origin
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Harriott: What does the surname Harriott mean?
The surname Harriott is of English origin, deriving from the medieval personal name Harry, a popular diminutive form of Henry, or the Norman name Harold. In Old German, "Henry" means "home ruler" or "ruler of the homeland" which gives Harriott the indirect meaning of "son of a home ruler."
The name was commonly adopted as a surname during the 12th and 13th centuries, owing to the popularity of its root names Henry and Harold in England. It is most prevalent in Jamaica and England but also exists in smaller numbers across countries in the Americas and Europe.
Today, many variations of this surname exist, including Harriot, Harriett, Harriet, and others. Despite the variations in spelling, the meaning remains largely the same. As is common with many surnames, geographical distribution of the name Harriott has broadened over centuries due to social, economic, and political shifts, including emigration and colonization.
Order DNA origin analysisHarriott: Where does the name Harriott come from?
The surname Harriott is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to originate from the personal name Harry, a medieval English form of Henry. It is typically patronymic, meaning it was often given to a person who was the "son of Harry." The addition of "-ott" is an affectionate diminutive suffix.
This name has numerous spelling variations including Harriott, Harriot, Hariot, Harriotte, and more. Such variations often occurred even within single documents due to the medieval scribes and church officials recording names as they sounded.
Today, this surname is found in many countries due to the spread of the British Empire and subsequent migration. However, it is especially prevalent in English-speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. There's also a significant number of Harriotts in Jamaica, likely due to Britain's historical involvement in the Caribbean.
Variations of the surname Harriott
The surname Harriott is believed to have originated from various cultures, including Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and French. Variants and spellings of this surname differ majorly due to errors in translation, phonetic spelling, or regional adaptations over time. Some of the variants, spellings, and surnames for Harriott include Harriot, Hariot, Harriotts, Harriotte, Harriotte, Heriot, Herriott, Harriatt, and Herriatt.
The surname has French roots, connected to the names Heriot, Herriott, Herryot, which derive from the word 'heriier', meaning inherit. The most historically common has been "Heriot". In Scotland, Heriot became quite famous due to George Heriot, a renowned goldsmith and philanthropist. He is known for founding the George Heriot's School in Edinburgh.
Some variants have also been Anglicized, the most common being Harriett, which is primarily used as a feminine given name.
Researchers have discovered links to the name in Ireland, too, though the origins are largely English and Scottish. Because of emigration and the passage of time, different families have adopted different variations, and therefore, the surname has evolved into its many present forms.
These surnames vary in spelling according to geographical locations and phonetic translations throughout history. Hence, even though some names do not share the exact spelling, they still have similar origins and meanings.
Famous people with the name Harriott
- Sir John Harriott was a British Member of Parliament and financial adviser to both William III and Queen Anne of England.
- John Harriott II was an English Judge and an influential philosopher of the common law.
- Harold Harriott was a Bermuda-born doctor who pioneered the study of tropical diseases.
- Gregory Harriott is an American musician and songwriter who is a founding member of the band, Exposé.
- Jordan Harriott is a British rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his singles, "I Gol," and "Be Right Here".
- Chilli Ambar Harriott is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and recording artist from Barbados.
- Victor Harriott is a Jamaican reggae singer best known for his work with Zap Pow.
- John Corrigan Harriott was a Canadian Member of Parliament and a noted lawyer.
- Kylie Harriott is a professional cyclist who raced for Team USA Cycling in the 2017 Pan American Championships.
- Beres Hammond is a Jamaican singer-songwriter and producer who goes by the nickname, "Mr. Harriott" due to his connection to the Harriott family.