Surname Blanchett - Meaning and Origin

Blanchett: What does the surname Blanchett mean?

The last name Blanchett is of French origin. It is a surname derived from the French given name “Blanche”, which means white. Thus, the surname Blanchett can be interpreted as “the son of Blanche” or “descendant of Blanche”.

Blanche, the given name for Blanchett, is from the Germanic element “blanc”, meaning shining white or bright. It was usually given to one who was blond-haired or fair-skinned. It was also given to those considered to be white-faced or having clean souls.

Originally, Blanchett and its variants were used to describe people in the area near Blanquefort in the northwest of France. It came into usage in England during the homecoming of the Normans. Over the centuries, the name grew in popularity throughout France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and beyond.

The most common variants of the last name Blanchett are Blanchard, Blanchet, Blanche and Blanshards. When found in the different countries around the world, it often takes on various national forms and spellings.

Today, the last name Blanchett is still popular around the world and has been used as a surname by many famous people, such as Cate Blanchett, an Academy Award-winning Australian actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador.

Blanchett: Where does the name Blanchett come from?

The surname Blanchett is most common in France and other parts of Europe. It is also found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In France, the last name Blanchett is concentrated in the Ile-de-France region in the northwest of the country. The loire department and the regions of Aquitaine and Poitou-Charentes are also home to many Blanchett families. In some areas of the country, the name is usually spelled with a double “tt”.

In the United States, Blanchett is the 8,573rd most common surname. The highest concentration is in California with the states of Texas, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois also being home to many families with the surname. The most common spelling in the states is one “t”.

In Australia, the name is primarily found in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. It is estimated that around 1 in 900 Australians have the surname. The most common spelling there is two ‘tt’s’.

Overall, the surname Blanchett is still very common across Europe and its former colonies. Although the spelling may differ depending on the country, the name is still quite popular.

Variations of the surname Blanchett

The surname Blanchett has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Blanchett comes from a family name of French origin, derived from the Old French ‘blanchet’, meaning ‘little white one’.

Common variants of this surname include Blanchitt, Blanket, Blankett, Blanchet, Blankitt, Blanchat, Blanckett, Blankett and Blankitt. Another variant derived from the French is Blanchard, which is also very similar.

Variations in spelling have also led to further surnames such as Blanche, Blanco, Blanck, Blanchette, Blancheau, Blanchet, Blanshteyn, Blanchette and even Blanchot.

While these variations can be traced to people who have changed their name due to climate change or migration, they may have also occurred as a result of an incorrect transcription of information. In addition, these surname variations may have been adopted due to religious reasons or to distance themselves from negative associations.

The surname Blanchett is also associated with a few different British, French and Italian surnames, such as Banchetti, Banchetti Basetto, Blancett, Blanchettano, Blanchitta and Blanchette. These names can be traced back to the same French origins, but are more commonly associated with immigrants settling in those places.

Overall, the origins of the surname Blanchett can be traced back to a French word with various spellings and surnames, suggesting a very versatile name with inhabitants all over the world.

Famous people with the name Blanchett

• Cate Blanchett: Australian actress, theatre director and film producer who has won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, two BAFTAs and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.
• Craig Blanchett: Canadian dramatist, playwright, and actor.
• Steve Blanchett: American professor of theatre and former artistic director of the Arizona Theatre Company in Tucson, Arizona.
• Susan Blanchett: Australian actor and director who was most active in the 1960s and '70s, often specializing in contemporary drama.
• Alan Blanchett: Canadian actor and writer who appeared in the 1992 film The Waterdance and has appeared in numerous other feature films.
• Lillian Blanchett: Canadian stage and film actress who was a performer in the movie Magnus Axelsson (1928).
• Todd Blanchett: American television director, producer and writer known for his work on the shows Dharma & Greg (1998-2002) and Life On Mars (2008-2009).
• Alene Blanchett: American gospel singer and former recording artist for Ring Out Records.
• Richard Blanchett: British actor who has appeared in stage and television productions, including Midsomer Murders.
• Gareth Blanchett: British actor and director best known for his performances in the BBC Series Sherlock, True Blood and Little Black Book of Short Stories.

Other surnames

BlancheBlanchet