Surname Pochet - Meaning and Origin
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Pochet: What does the surname Pochet mean?
The surname Pochet is of French origin and is thought to have derived from the word "poche", meaning 'pocket' in English. In the Middle Ages, it was a name often given to a maker of pouches or small bags. This was a popular profession in medieval times as these pouches were employed to carry money or small objects. The use of the suffix "et" indicates a diminutive form, translating it to 'little pocket'. However, surnames had many derivations, and it could also have been a nickname for someone small or petite, or even a term of endearment. As a surname, Pochet is found predominantly in the northern regions of France. It's important to note that meanings of surnames can vary based on regional dialects and historical context.
Order DNA origin analysisPochet: Where does the name Pochet come from?
The last name Pochet is typically found in the French-speaking areas of Europe, particularly in northwestern France. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies of France (INSEE) data, the surname was most popular in Brittany, followed by the regions of Normandy, Champagne-Ardenne and Pays de la Loire. The surname also appears in parts of North America, including Canada, specifically in the province of Quebec, and in a few US states such as Louisiana, where French influence is or was particularly strong.
The surname Pochet is thought to originate in France, and may have either derived from "pochette," the French word for pocket, or from "Polchet," a term referring to a council or an association of well-born people. Interestingly, there appears to be a variant of the surname, Pochette, which is primarily seen around the city of Tours.
Outside of Europe and North America, the name is very rare. There is one record of a Pochet family in Chile, in the eighteenth century, otherwise the surname does not appear to have spread beyond France or the Francophone countries.
The last name Pochet is still relatively uncommon despite its presence in France and North America. Interestingly, alternative spellings such as Poché, Pochard and Poket are far more widely used.
Variations of the surname Pochet
Pochet is a surname of French origin. It is believed to have originated in the regions of Normandy and Picardy. The variants of the surname Pochet can include Poché, Pojac, Pojacques, Pojacquot, Pojacquier, Pojacquiere, Pochat, Pochard, Pochart, and Pochon.
The most popular spelling of this surname is Pochet. The majority of people bearing this name live in the United States of America. It is listed as the 18,312th most common last name in the country, and is believed to be held by roughly 1,000 people. Another more common spelling of the name is Poché. This version is the 8,319th most common last name in the United States, and is believed to be held by approximately 11,000 people.
The original spelling of the name was likely Pojac. This is very rarely used today. The spelling Pojacquier is more commonly used in France, while Pojacquot is used more in Belgium. Pochat and Pochard are believed to be newer variants, which developed after a large influx of immigrants from France into the United States. The spelling Pochon is primarily seen in Switzerland and Germany.
No matter the spelling variant, the last name Pochet is believed to have originally referred to someone from the Picardy region of France. It is believed to be a name derived from the Latin word Pochettus, meaning small pocket. Therefore, it could have been originally used to describe someone who regularly carried a small pocket.
Famous people with the name Pochet
- Rohan Pochet: Soccer player from Saint Lucia who currently plays for Piacenza Calcio.
- Raimondi Pochet: Tennis player who has represented France in the Davis Cup.
- Walridge Pochet: Fashion designer and entrepreneur from the Caribbean.
- Louise Pochet: Actress from France known for her roles in theater and television.
- Arnaud Pochet: Racing cyclist from France who has participated in Tour de France and Giro d’Italia races.
- Valentin Pochet: Musician from France who has released several albums under the label Fennec Music.
- David Pochet: Professional skier from France who has won gold medals in the Winter Olympics and World Cup races.
- Mathilde Pochet: Artist from France who has exhibited her artwork in Finland, Great Britain, Spain, and other countries.
- Julian Pochet: Actor from Switzerland known for his work in the film industry.
- Sandro Pochet: Disc jockey from the United States who is popular on the nightclub scene.