Surname Colt - Meaning and Origin
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Colt: What does the surname Colt mean?
The last name Colt is believed to have Germanic origins, derived from the Old High German word ‘colt’ meaning ‘long neck’ or ‘tall’. It is thought to have been a nickname for a tall person, or one with a long neck, and was given as a descriptive term to those with that particular characteristic.
It is likely that this name was brought to England and Ireland during the Norman Conquest. During this time many names of Germanic origin were adopted to reflect the new rulers of the country. The records of Colt begin in the 13th century and it is found in both England and Ireland.
The name Colt could also be a topographic name, referring to someone who lived by a steep slope. It is possible that the name was also given to individuals who lived in and around the Colthurst area in County Cork, Ireland.
Within Irish records Colt is also found as a variant of the similar sounding ‘Coulter’, with the ‘Coul’ part being derived from the Gaelic word “cú” meaning ‘hound’ or 'canine’, which could suggest that the earliest bearer of the name had associations with hunting or a hunting dog.
Whatever the origin of the name, it has seen many changes and variations throughout the years such as: Colt, Coltman, Coltman, Colther, Coult, and Colthurst.
Order DNA origin analysisColt: Where does the name Colt come from?
The last name Colt is a surname of British and Germanic origin meaning “a young horse,” and it is particularly common in certain parts of the US and the UK. Within the US, the highest concentrations of people named Colt are found on the east coast, particularly in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maryland. In the UK, the surname is most commonly seen in South West England, particularly in Devon and Cornwall.
The last name is also found in smaller concentrations in other parts of the world, particularly in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. It is thought to have originated in the UK and has spread to other parts of the world through migration. People with the Colt surname are most likely descended from British and Germanic stock.
Today, the Colt surname is still quite common and is associated with various famous individuals, including American gun manufacturer Samuel Colt, American politician-entrepreneur extraordinaire John C. Colt, and actor Colt Cabana, among others. It is also an appropriate reference for brand names, such as Colt firearms. In conclusion, the last name Colt is a common surname today, particularly in certain parts of the US and the UK.
Variations of the surname Colt
The Colt surname can be spelled with a couple of different variants, such as Colt, Colte, and Coulte, and also variants in other languages like Coltman, Colson, Koltman, and others. Colt is an English and possibly Dutch surname and refers to one coming from Colton, a hamlet in County Durham in the United Kingdom, or Colton, a place in Lincolnshire, England. Colt may also have been a nickname for someone of swarthy complexion – from the Middle English meaning ‘charcoal-black’, referring to their physical appearance.
The surname Colt is also a variation of the German surname Kolt (meaning ‘coal’) and of the French surname Colte (meaning ‘coarse’). The surname Colte could be a topographic name, referring to a place with coarse soil, or a nickname for a person of coarse habits or language. Other variations include Coltmann, Koltmann, Colson, and Kolson.
In the United States, the surname Colt may also be derived from the Scottish or Irish surname Coltart, which is derived from the personal name Colt, a pet form of the Old French name Colard. Another variant could be from Colet, meaning ‘haughty’, which is derived from the Old French word ‘col’.
Colts can also be found in some parts of France, Spain, Italy and Eastern Europe, with several different variants including Cault, Colti, Colti, Colta, Colte, Coltin, Colijn and Koltin.
Although all these variants have different origins and spellings, their root word is the same – the surname Colt. It is likely that the common link between them is their association with charcoal or coal in some form or another.
Famous people with the name Colt
- Owen Colt: American restaurateur, founder of the Colt's Hub chain
- Quinn Colt: American actor, known for his roles in the films Street Fighter and War of the Worlds
- Sharpe Colt: American politician, first openly homosexual member of the U.S. Senate
- David Colt: American football player, former NFL linebacker
- Nick Colt: American actor and director, known for his role in the TV show Brothers & Sisters
- Carson Colt: American photographer, known for his fashion and documentary photography
- Eoin Colt: Irish actor, known for his roles in the television series The Tudors and Vikings
- David Colt: British rower, competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Hoagy Colt: American jazz singer, member of the Fred Waring Orchestra
- Daltrey Colt: English singer and songwriter, member of the band The Spinoffs