Surname Nesbet - Meaning and Origin

Nesbet: What does the surname Nesbet mean?

The last name Nesbet is of Scottish origin, derived from the old lands of Nesbit, which is located in the county of East Lothian near the towns of East Linton and Haddington. It is likely that the family who originally took the last name Nesbet was among the first to inhabit these lands in the Middle Ages.

The name Nesbet is thought to have Anglo-Saxon origins, with its interpretation often being linked to “one who has his own farm” or “one who lives near a branch of water”. This could imply a connection with agriculturalists, as well as tradesmen that used water for their work.

As the Nesbet name spread across Scotland, variations to the spelling of the surname arose. Some of the variations still in use today include Nisbet, Nesbitt, Nisbitt, Nisboth and Nesbut.

The Nesbet family has long held a prominent place in Scottish society. Sir James Nisbet, born in 1711, was a merchant in Edinburgh and became Lord Provost of the city. His son, John Nisbet, was appointed Sheriff of Edinburgh in 1761 and went on to become a Member of Parliament.

The Nesbets have also been involved in military service throughout history, with many joining the army or navy. These soldiers saw action across the empires of Europe from the Napoleonic Wars to the First World War.

The Nesbet name today continues to be of great pride to those who carry it. It has been associated with leadership, trade and Scottish military history for centuries, and no doubt these values remain strong to the family’s current descendants.

Nesbet: Where does the name Nesbet come from?

Nesbet is an uncommon surname found mainly in the UK and Ireland. It is most common in Scotland and Northern Ireland, particularly in the Belfast area. The name is of Scottish origin, and was originally a Scottish clan name derived from old French ‘nes batte’, which meant ‘one who wields the baton or stick’.

The name has undergone a number of variations over time, so people with the same name may have different spellings, including Nisbet, Nisbitt, Nesbit, Nessbitt, and Nesson. It is unclear when the name was first used in Scotland but the earliest reference to it dates from a 1216 charter.

Today, Nesbet is a relatively rare surname and is most commonly associated with the UK and Ireland. It is found throughout the country but is particularly concentrated in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It has spread around the world to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, but it remains small in numbers in these locations. It is also present to a lesser extent in countries such as France, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Variations of the surname Nesbet

The surname Nesbet is often spelled as Nesbitt and forms variants of Nisbet, Nisbett, and Nesbett. It is derived from a northern Middle English and Scots given name, with Nasse to mean “nest” and betto or bette to mean “beautiful”. Consequently, Nesbet is interpreted to mean “beautiful nest”.

This surname varies in spelling and variations across the world, including Nesbit, Nisbit, Nesbett, Nisbett, Nesbeth, Nesbith, Nesbitt, Naisbitt, Naesbitt, Nasbit, Nasbitt and Nezbitt. In Scottish Gaelic the surname is spelled as Neasbaidean and in Irish Gaelic it is spelled as Neasa.

Some variants of Nesbet are formed from placenames associated with the original family including de Nessebegh, de Nezbeth, de Naisbat, de Naisbeth, de Nasbeth and de Nezbeth.

They are found across England and Scotland, where the name was first recorded in the 13th century in Kershopefoot, Riddell, Burdcoates, and Embleton, England.

The name is still common across the North of England and lowland Scotland. Variants are also common in Ireland, where it is most prevalent in County Donegal and has been since the 15th century.

Nesbitt has became a popular surname in the United States and Canada since the 18th century, when Nesbitts migrated from Scotland and Ireland to North America.

Nesbitt families are also common in Australia and New Zealand, with the surname being found in Australia since the 19th century.

Famous people with the name Nesbet

• Christopher Nesbeth: Jamaican politician
• Robert Nesbet: Scottish broadcast journalist
• Edward Nesbit: British poet and children's author
• Alexander Nisbet: Scottish antiquarian and heraldist
• John Nesbett: American state legislator
• Kenneth Nesbitt: Canadian children's author
• Matthew Nesbitt: Canadian Olympic rower
• Enid Nesbitt: English actress
• Thomas Nesbitt: English organist/composer
• Laura Nesbitt: American professional golfer
• Chad Nesbitt: American state politician
• Oliver Nesbitt: Australian professional soccer player
• William Nesbitt: Australian Royal Air Force officer
• Jean Nesbitt: British psychic medium
• Mark Nesbitt: American wildlife photographer
• Joseph Nesbitt: British theologian
• Bruce Nesbitt: African-American entrepreneur
• Jane Nesbitt: American singer/songwriter
• Gladys Nesbitt: American child actress
• Alexander Nesbitt: Scottish philosopher

Other surnames

Nesbett