Surname Hazlet - Meaning and Origin

Hazlet: What does the surname Hazlet mean?

The surname Hazlet is of Scottish origin and can be traced back to medieval times. The name is believed to be locational, deriving from a place named Hazlet or Haslett, although the exact location of this place in Scotland remains uncertain. It might refer to a location where hazel trees were abundant, as "hazel" derived from Old English was often used to indicate such places. Over time, elements such as migration, regional dialects, and simplified spelling often rendered the surname in a variety of forms, including Haslett, Hasslett, Hazlett, Hazlitt, Heslett, and others. Therefore, the surname Hazlet likely denotes someone who dwelled near or came from a place associated with hazel trees. However, without specific records directly linking the surname to a definite geographical area or explanation, the exact origin and meaning remain somewhat speculative.

Hazlet: Where does the name Hazlet come from?

The last name Hazlet is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old English name "Haslett," which comes from the phrase “hazel-head,” referring to someone who lives near hazel trees. The name was first found in Renfrewshire, a historic county in the lowlands of Scotland. From Scotland, the name spread to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster, an event where lands were confiscated from the native Gaelic lords in the 17th century and given to settlers from Scotland.

Today, the surname Hazlet is quite rare. It is primarily found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. According to surname distribution data, the surname is most common in Northern Ireland, specifically in County Antrim. The United States, particularly the state of Pennsylvania, also has a significant number of people with the Hazlet surname. Despite its Scottish origins, the name is not very common in Scotland currently.

Variations of the surname Hazlet

The surname Hazlet may have various originations and hence, may have several variant spellings. It has roots in European history, with its origins most likely in Scotland or Ireland. The most common variants include Haslett, Haslet, Haslitt, Hazlitt, Hazlett and Hasslet. These variants often result from a process of Anglicization, where names may be misspelled or changed to sound more English.

This surname appears to originate from the Old Norse name 'Háset', which is a fort or watch tower. Over time and with geographic relocations, the spelling and pronunciation of names often change, leading to the creation of these different variants of the original name.

In some cases, this surname may also be linked to the topographic locations such as Great and Little Haslet in Buckinghamshire, England or Haslett in Michigan, United States. This influences further spelling variations and derivates.

Surnames with similar origins include Hazel, Heaslet, and Hazle, all deriving from topographical references to hazels or clearings of hazel trees. Yet another variation is the surname Hazelwood, referencing to a forest of hazel trees.

Famous people with the name Hazlet

• Simon Hazlet: a Swiss-born actor known for his roles in films such as Dirty Grandpa, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them and Downton Abbey.
• Herb Hazlet: a former professional baseball player who played in the minor leagues from 1955 to 1960.
• Don Hazlet: a former member of the US House of Representatives who served from 1961–1985.
• Bud Hazlet: an American professional golfer who has won ten PGA tour events and four Senior PGA Tour events.
• London Hazlet: a British singer-songwriter who had two top 40 hits before retiring from music in 2006.
• Mark Hazlet: an American author and inspirational speaker focusing on themes of leadership, resilience and courage.
• Jeff Hazlet: an Australian-born musician who has released 11 albums and appears on several soundtracks and compilations worldwide.
• Chuck Hazlet: an American songwriter and record producer, responsible for hits recorded by artists such as Britney Spears and the Spice Girls.
• Kenneth Hazlet: a prominent Canadian businessman and philanthropist, who was the founder of the Hazlet Group of Companies.
• John Hazlet: a Scottish physicist and Nobel laureate in physics, awarded for his contribution to the development of semiconductor lasers.

Other surnames

HazleHazlettHazlewood