Surname Maillet - Meaning and Origin

Maillet: What does the surname Maillet mean?

The last name Maillet is derived from the Latin name Malleus, which translates to ‘hammer’ or ‘blacksmith’. It is believed to have been an occupational name given to a person who was a blacksmith or a blacksmith’s apprentice. The name was first recorded in the 12th century in France.

In the Middle Ages, the words ‘maillet’ and ‘malle’ were interchangeable. ‘Maillet’ was used to refer to a metalworking tool which looked like a small hammer. The root of the name usually indicated the profession of the maker or user. Those bearing this surname likely served as a blacksmith or were descended from blacksmiths.

The surname Maillet is a name found primarily in France, but has also been found in other countries. Variations of this surname in other languages include Mallet, Maillette, Mallette, and Mallot. It was common for people in the past to adopt different spellings of their surname depending on where they were born or how it was pronounced in their particular region.

The Maillet name has been a part of family lines for generations and some of the information learned about this 1880s surname can be heirlooms for future generations. The work that these individuals did certainly had an impact on their communities and countries.

Maillet: Where does the name Maillet come from?

The last name Maillet is mainly found in France where it is one of the most common last names. It is also found in the French Speaking regions of Canada, including Quebec, New Brunswick, and parts of Ontario. The last name has been present in these parts of the world since the 1600s when French settlers arrived in the region. The name is believed to have originated in Normandy, in the north east of France, and is thought to be derived from the Latin term for "mallet" or "hammer".

As a result of the French colonization of the Americas, the name Maillet also spread to former colonies such as Haiti, Martinique, and Louisiana, where French settlers with the last name decided to settle. In the US, the name Maillet is most commonly found in Louisiana. Nowadays it is a rare name elsewhere in the US, but it can be found in small numbers in most of the eastern states as well as some other parts of the country.

In all these countries, the spelling of the name has evolved over the centuries, with the name being spelled variously as Maillet, Maillette, Mailley, and even Mellet. Despite these variations, it is still one of the most common French surnames in France, where it is found amongst both the working class and the nobility.

Variations of the surname Maillet

The surname Maillet has a range of spelling variations and other related surnames derived from the same origin. The most common alternative spellings, variants and related surnames include Maillet, Maillat, Mailhot, Mailhotte, Maillotte, Mailhault, Maillault, Maillet, Maillot, Mailliard, Mellet, Maylet, Maylard, Mailhard, Maillard, Le Maillet, Mailletlenoir, Mailletblanc, Mailletdeperier, and Mailletdesclouds.

Maillet is thought to be derived from the Old French term "maillaud," which in turn originated from the Late Latin term "malleolus" meaning "hammer." This could imply a link or connection to a metal-worker or blacksmith. In France, the surname is most commonly found in the Brittany region where it is believed to have initially been derived. This surname is also popular within both Canada and the United States, where many French settlers of the Maillet surname left France beginning in the 16th century.

The variations of the surname Maillet are also popular in other nations which once formed part of the French Empire, like Algeria. An additional spelling variation of the Maillet surname is found in Central and Southern Africa in spoken French where it is written "Mailé" and pronounced muh-lay.

In either spelling, the Maillet surname often also includes a nickname or descriptive term, such as with the combination Maillet-lenoir meaning "dark-haired Maillet," or Maillet-desclouds meaning "son of the clouds."

Famous people with the name Maillet

• Aieny Maillet: Aieny Maillet is an Algerian Malian Poet, essayist, and political analyst and is widely considered one of the major figures of Francophone African literature.
• Claude Maillet: Claude Maillet is a former French politician who held several posts throughout his career including Mayor of Epernay, Inspector general of the French Ministry of Ecology, and Minister of European Affairs.
• Bastien Maillet: Bastien Maillet is a French competitive skier and has competed in the freestyle, slalom, and giant slalom races at both the FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup and Alpine World Ski Championships.
• David Maillet: David Maillet is a French former professional alpine skier, who specialized in Downhill, Super-G and Combined events.
• Jean Maillet: Jean Maillet is a former Mayor of Beauvais, former Member of Parliament, Senator for Oise and Administrative Counselor for the city of Beauvais.
• Julien Maillet: Julien Maillet is a French professional rugby league footballer who plays for St.Gaudens as a halfback in the Elite One Championship.
• Lena Maillet: Lena Maillet is a French director and screenwriter. She is the recipient of several awards, including the prestigious short film Crystal for her piece Alarme.
• Philippe Maillet: Philippe Maillet is a highly sought-after French Art Director and production designer. He has worked on a number of major films, including The Da Vinci Code.
• Alain Maillet: Alain Maillet is a Canadian media executive and former politician. He has held numerous positions, including Chancellor of Université de Moncton.
• Yvon Maillet: Yvon Maillet is a Canadian singer-songwriter best known for his folk-rock album There It Is (2006). He has released 5 albums to date.

Other surnames

Maillo