Surname Offutt - Meaning and Origin
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Offutt: What does the surname Offutt mean?
The surname Offutt is of English origin and is believed to be locational, deriving from a place name where the original bearers once lived or held land. It has been suggested that the name could be associated with the term "off-ut" meaning a piece of land that lies apart from the main property. However, such assertions are largely speculative in nature because the exact origin and meaning of the surname remain unclear. As with many surnames, it may have been altered over time as people migrated and language evolved. It's worth noting that surnames often serve as connections to geographical, occupational, or familial roots. Offutt is fairly uncommon and those with this surname are primarily found in the United States. Historical records indicate the presence of the Offutt family in Maryland, USA during the late 17th century. Like all surnames, while the name itself may carry a certain etymological meaning, its significance is most potently found in the histories and stories of each specific family who bears it.
Order DNA origin analysisOffutt: Where does the name Offutt come from?
The Offutt family name is most common today in the United States, primarily in the Midwest. It is especially prevalent in Iowa, where there are many places that bear the name, including the small town of Offutt in Dickinson County. The name is also found in other Midwestern states such as Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota.
According to the 1990 US Census, the highest concentration of individuals with the surname Offutt was in the states of Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. In addition to these three states, the Family Educational Database also found a slightly lower concentration of individuals with the Offutt surname living in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and California.
The Offutt name can be traced back to the 1600s, where it originated in England before migrating to America in the late 1700s. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone with a strong work ethic or a farmer, which when combined with a topographical description (e.g. a farm or settlement near the oft or marsh) became the last name “Offutt.”
The Offutt name is likely to continue, as there are still many places in the Midwest that bear the Offutt name, and many individuals continue to carry the surname to this day.
Variations of the surname Offutt
The surname Offutt is of English origin and is a variation of the name Offord. This name is thought to have developed from the Middle English 'oford', which means 'ford'. Other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are: O’Futt, O’Ford, Offoote, Offoot, Offett, Offet, Offe, Offer, Offord, Uffut, Ufford, Uffoot, Uffet, and Ufford.
The Anglicization of the name may have come from the English surname "Ford", which has gained popularity due to its appearance as a character in the Harry Potter series. The use of the variant name Offutt comes about because of the influence of Gaelic pronunciation changes that may have been brought over on names as immigrant ancestors passed on the name to their descendants.
The use of variations of the name Offutt can also be found outside of the English speaking world, including within India and Ireland, due to the diaspora of the English language stemming from its colonial past. Variations from the original Anglicized version such as Offette, Offatt, and Offot are also widespread in these cultures.
In the United States, the surname Offutt is strongly associated with the Offutt Air Force Base in Offutt, Nebraska. Famous individuals who have the surname Offutt include the rapper Divine Offutt (also known as Scru Face Jean) and the professional wrestler and actor Ted DiBiase Sr. (born Freddie Joe Offutt).
Famous people with the name Offutt
- Nick Offutt: Actor and Director.
- Ashton Offutt: Compound Archery and Crossbow Maker.
- Will Offutt: Musician, Producer and Activist.
- Meredith Offutt: Author and Food Writer.
- Sarah Offutt: Entrepreneur and Interdisciplinary Artist.
- Mamie Offutt: Television Host and Actress.
- Jeff Offutt: Computer Scientist and Researcher.
- Charles Offutt Jr.: Former US Navy Commander.
- Richard Offutt: Computer Scientist and Professor.
- Emily Offutt: Singer-songwriter and Upright Bass Player.
- Audrey Offutt: Travel Blogger and Digital Content Creator.
- Abner Offutt: Confederate Army Officer.
- Fred Offutt: Pro Football Player.
- William T. Offutt: A former US Representative.
- Billy Offutt: Professional Bull Rider.
- Michael Offutt: Former Lawyer.
- David Offutt: American Football Player.
- Jim Offutt: Television Actor.
- Tony Offutt: Certified Public Accountant.
- Fletcher Offutt: Air Force Pilot in World War II.