Surname Arnott - Meaning and Origin

Arnott: What does the surname Arnott mean?

The surname Arnott is of Scottish origin and is derived from a place located in the Parish of Portmoak in Kinross-shire, Scotland. The name Arnott itself is believed to have originated from a combination of two Gaelic words: "àrn", meaning eagle, and "neòtt", which suggests a nest or a shelter. Thus, the surname can be interpreted as "eagle's nest". This could imply a family that is protective, strong, or authoritative like an eagle, or perhaps that they resided high on a hill or mountain, similar to where an eagle typically places its nest. Names were often given to families or individuals based on personal characteristics, abilities, residence, etc during ancient times. As with many surnames, keep in mind that the interpretation can vary and may not apply to every holder of the surname Arnott.

Arnott: Where does the name Arnott come from?

The surname Arnott is of Scottish origins, specifically from the ancient pre 10th century Pictish clans of Scotland. It derived from either a place called Arnot in the parish of Portmoak in Kinross-shire, or from a place near Leslie in Fife region. The name means 'the house by the little eagle'. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry Arnote or Arnocht, in 1466, during the reign of King James III of Scotland.

Today, the name Arnott is much more scattered and can be found in various parts of the world, in large part due to emigration patterns over the centuries. While it remains relatively common throughout Scotland itself, there are also a significant number of individuals with the Arnott surname in England. Beyond this, owing to British ancestral connections, the name has traveled to countries like Canada, the United States, and Australia, where there is a sizable presence of people with the Arnott surname. Despite its dispersal worldwide, it is less common overall when compared to many other surnames.

Variations of the surname Arnott

The surname Arnott has a variety of spellings and variants, largely due to the way it, like many other surnames, was written down by ear in centuries past. These variations can include Arnett, Arnot, Arnatt, Arnet, Arnote, Earnet, Earnot and Ernot. Regional dialects and accents may have resulted in different spellings and pronunciation of the name.

The surname Arnott is believed to be of Scottish origin, derived from the Pictish personal name "Arnold." It was mostly found in the region of Fife in Scotland. The Scottish form Ernaucht and Gaelic versions Arrneadhta and Earnadhta are related and of the same origin.

It's worth noting that there can be different branches of the name, from different geographical regions, that may not necessarily be directly related to each other. For instance, the surname Arnott is also found in regions of France, again derived from the personal name Arnold, with spellings such as Arnault and Arnoux.

Surname derivatives could also have evolved as family members moved to different regions or countries, resulting in further alterations to the name to fit with local language and pronunciation.

Famous people with the name Arnott

• Graham Arnott, Canadian media executive and author
• Sandra Arnott, British mathematician and academic
• Colin Arnott, Scottish footballer
• Judy Arnott, Australian illustrator and innovator
• Sue Arnott, Australian physicist and rocket scientist
• Cezar Arnott, Canadian videogame designer
• Nick Arnott, American disk jockey and music producer
• Peter Arnott, Scottish playwright and author
• Gerry Arnott, Canadian singer and songwriter
• Joe Arnott, British footballer
• Ted Arnott, Canadian politician
• Carolyne Arnott, Canadian diplomat and author
• Glenn Arnott, Canadian actor
• Bess Arnott, Canadian artist
• Dean Arnott, Northern Irish cricketer
• Malcolm Arnott, Australian professional golfer
• Andrea Arnott, English bridge player and teacher
• Saffron Arnott, English activist, author and public speaker

Other surnames

ArnotArnoth