Surname Arnett - Meaning and Origin

Rediscovering the Arnett Lineage: An Unanticipated Ancestral Journey Through DNA Testing

Always known for their Arnett roots, tracing back the lineage came with startling discoveries for this family, thanks to an iGENEA DNA test. The findings not only redefine their understanding of their ancestry but fundamentally transform their sense of identity.

K. Arnett

Arnett: What does the surname Arnett mean?

Arnett is a surname of English origin and is derived from the given name "Arnold". The name Arnold is composed of the old English elements "arn", which means "eagle", and "wald", which means "power" or "ruler". Thus, the name Arnett may be interpreted to mean "powerful as an eagle" or "ruler with the strength of an eagle". Over time, the original name Arnold underwent several phonetic transformations and spellings based on regional accents, one of them being "Arnett". The surname was largely adopted in the medieval period, where it was common practice to use a father's first name as a surname. Arnett, therefore, would mean "son of Arnold". The use of surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. The first recorded spelling of this family name is shown to be that of Ralph Ernald. This was dated around 1160, in "Pipe Rolls of London," during the reign of King Henry II of England.

Arnett: Where does the name Arnett come from?

The surname Arnett originates from Scotland. It is derived from the personal name Arnold. Initially, the name was used in East Lothian, on the southern coast of the Firth of Forth. From Scotland, the name spread to England, Ireland, and other parts of Europe due to migration.

Arnett is a patronymic surname, meaning it was initially used to indicate the son of Arnold. Over time, it became a hereditary surname used by all the descendants of Arnold. Variations of the name include Arnott, Arnot, Arnatt, Arnet, Arnoth, Arnaud, Arnoud, Arnould, Arnauld, Arnoux and many more.

Today, the surname Arnett is most common in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Despite its Scottish roots, there are currently more people bearing the name Arnett in the United States than in Scotland. This is a result of Scottish emigration to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Notable people with this surname include the actor Will Arnett, known for his roles in Arrested Development and Bojack Horseman.

Variations of the surname Arnett

The surname 'Arnett' has several variants, spellings, and related surnames. These may have emerged due to regional dialects, phonetic spellings, translation errors, and Anglicization of non-English names.

Some of the common variants and spellings for 'Arnett' are Arnet, Arnette, Arnete, Arnot, Arnott, and Arnatt. These alternative spellings may have evolved due to regional accents and differing phonetic transcriptions.

There are also related surnames of the same origin. The name Arnett originates from the old French personal name 'Arnault' or 'Arnott', which were introduced into Britain following the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Therefore, surnames like Arnold, Arnould, and Arnaldi can be considered as having the same origins.

As it was common in the past to Anglicize non-English names, there could be several variations of the name Arnett in various countries, originating from the same root name, Arnault or Arnott. Thus, surnames like Arnott in Scotland, Arnoux in France, or Arnautovic in Eastern European countries could potentially share the same origin as Arnett.

It's also important to note that due to the many factors influencing the evolution of surnames, tracing the exact lineage of a name can be a complex task. Additionally, many separate families may have independently adopted similar sounding surnames, leading to further diversity in the family lines.

Famous people with the name Arnett

• Will Arnett: Known for his roles in sitcoms like "Arrested Development" and "BoJack Horseman", Will Arnett is an incredibly famous Canadian-American actor, voice actor, and producer.
• Peter Arnett: He is a New Zealand-American journalist, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his international reporting for The Associated Press during the Vietnam War in 1966.
• Leslie Arnett: Leslie Arnett was a musician known for his songs during the World War II era.
• Mike Arnett: Known as a professional ice hockey player, Mike Arnett is famous within the sports industry.
• Cliff Arnett: A well-known American football player in the National Football League (NFL).
• Jill Arnett: An American pro wrestler known better by her stage name, Jillian Hall.
• Malcolm Arnett: An esteemed Canadian curler, Malcolm Arnett is a known figure in the sport.
• Joseph Arnett: A famous surfer known for his appearances in several surfing films and magazines.
• Andy Arnett: An American soccer player who played for teams like the Carolina Dynamo and Syracuse Salty Dogs.
• Nick Arnett: A renowned volleyball player who represented the United States in international tournaments. Please note that some of these individuals are only famous in specific circles such as sports or journalism.

Other surnames

ArnetArnette