Surname Hariott - Meaning and Origin

Hariott: What does the surname Hariott mean?

The surname Hariott is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it mainly originated from the ancient personal name Harry or Henry. It is a pet form of the old name, created by adding the suffix "-ot" denoting "little" or "one who is dear". Therefore, the surname extrapolates to mean "Little Harry" or "Little Henry". Over time, it has seen variations in its spelling including Harriot, Harriott, Hariott, and others due to migration and regional dialects. It is prevalent in Britain and also found in other English-speaking countries. Notable people with similar surnames include Thomas Harriot, an English astronomer and mathematician.

Hariott: Where does the name Hariott come from?

The surname Hariott is of English origin. It traces its roots back to the pre-7th Century Anglo-Saxon era. The name is a pet form of the male given name Harry. It is a diminutive which implies 'son of', 'little' or 'friend of'. The surname has several variations and spellings including Harriott, Hariet, Harriett, Harriet and Harrott.

The name became popular after being adopted by several notable individuals such as Thomas Hariot, an astronomer, mathematician, ethnographer, and translator who lived during the Elizabethan era.

Today, although the name can be found sporadically around the globe due to emigration, it remains prevalent in its country of origin, England. According to the internet surname database, most of the bearers of the surname reside in England, especially in counties such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, Warwickshire, and Staffordshire. In the modern era, the name is not very common and individuals bearing it can be considered to have a unique identifier.

Variations of the surname Hariott

The surname Hariott has various spellings, variants, and related surnames from the same origin. It mostly traces its roots from the medieval English given name Harry, a pet form of Henry, or from the French name ‘Harriot’.

Variants and alternates spellings of this surname include Harriott, Herriott, Hurriott, Hariot, Harratt, Harrett, Harrott, and Harrot. It can sometimes be confused with the similar sounding surnames Harriett or Harritt, however, these two likely have their distinct origins outside the Hariott lineage.

The surname Hariott might possess multiple ownership due to regional locations and spelling variations considering the transliteration from French to English. The changes might also be due to clerical errors or interpretations in record-keeping over centuries in different countries. Therefore, it is quite challenging to provide an exhaustive list of all spellings and variants of this surname.

It is always recommended to conduct comprehensive genealogical research considering all conceivable variants of the surname when unveiling family history.

Famous people with the name Hariott

• William Harriott: British scholar and academic, served as vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University in 1642.
• Charles Harriott: British botanist and plant collector, associated with the Elizabethan era.
• Elliott Harriott: Jamaican singer and songwriter.
• Thomas Harriot: English astronomer, mathematician, ethnographer, and translator who made significant contributions to the study of the New World and to the science of optics.
• John Harriott: American actor and singer, best known for appearing on the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.
• George Harriott: Welsh rugby player, who played for Wales in the 1920s.
• David Harriott: American professional basketball player, who played for the San Antonio Spurs from 1989 to 1997.
• Evelyn Harriott: British equestrian, best known for her successes in showjumping.
• Patrick Harriott: Jamaica's first national track hero, known for his successes in the 400-meters.
• Thomas Hariott: English alchemist and author of a number of scientific works, such as ‘Link of the Universe’.
• Arthur Harriott: Barbadian cricketer, who played for Barbados and the West Indies from the late 1930s to the early 1940s.
• Cynthia Harriott: Jamaican author and literary scholar, best known for her novels which focus on the female experience in Jamaica.
• Joyce Harriott: Jamaican singer and songwriter, known for her work in popular music from the 1950s to the 1980s.
• Tyson Harriott: American actor, best known for his work in the television showEverybody Hates Chris.
• Katherine Harriott: British stage actress, best remembered for her performances in productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
• Jordan Harriott: Canadian poet and author, best known for her works of fiction which center on Indigenous issues.

Other surnames

Hariot