Surname Secret - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Secret: What does the surname Secret mean?
The last name Secret is believed to be of French origin and is an occupational surname from the Middle Ages. Secret comes from the Old French word secréteur, which mean “secretary”. A secretary at that time was someone appointed by their lord or master to oversee or act as a representative of particular tasks or activities in a noble or ecclesiastical household.
The Secret surname is also believed to have derived from an occupation in the church, as a priest, monk or scribe, who would copy or record religious texts in a manner that was considered “secret” from the general public. In some instances, the Secret surname is believed to have come from a nickname for a person who was deemed to be particularly “secretive” or “secret-minded”.
Moreover, the Secret surname is sometimes found as a variation of the Prior surname, which has its own distinct history within the English naming system. Prior was a common title for someone who held a special office in a house of religion, specifically in the monastic orders such as the Franciscans, Dominicans and Benedictines. It is also believed that some versions of Secret may have come from a variant of the Priest surname, which, like the Prior surname derived from the Middle English word “preost” meaning “priest”.
In conclusion, the Secret surname has a long and diverse history within the English language and its many uses. It is an occupational surname that is thought to be derived from appointed individuals who held positions of secret, such as scribes, monks, priests, in the church, or from individuals who held high ranking political positions in the government. It is also possible that the Secret surname was derived from a nickname, given to someone who was considered to be particularly “secretive” or “secret-minded”.
Order DNA origin analysisSecret: Where does the name Secret come from?
The last name Secret can be found throughout the world today. While it may be more common in some countries than in others, it still appears regularly in many regions.
Popular in English-speaking countries, the surname Secret is derived from the Old French word ‘secret’ which means ‘hidden’. The family can trace their roots back to the Normans who brought the surname with them when they invaded England in 1066 from France.
In the United States of America and the United Kingdom, the name remains relatively popular. The most common Secret family members in these countries spell their names as either Secrets or Secretes, and their offspring usually follow this tradition. Other variants such as Secrét and Sécret can also be found in these countries.
In France and other French-speaking countries, the surname Secret is also common. Most individuals bearing this name trace their roots to nobility in France, since the language is derived from Old French. As well, in French-speaking countries, Secret is usually spelt with at least one accent, e.g. Sécret, Secrét.
No matter the language or the country, the last name Secret remains a popular one. Its unique and intriguing meaning (hidden) has given the family an edge over the centuries, the aura of secrecy still apparent in modern times.
Variations of the surname Secret
The surname Secret is derived from the Latin word, secernere, meaning “to distinguish” or “to set apart. The earliest record of this surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 in England.
Variations of Secret include:
* Secrett
* Secrety
* Sekret
* Secretoo
* Seckit
* Seckitte
* Seckitt
* Seckitts
* Secretto
* Secrest
* Secrist
* Secrit
* Secrite
* Secretti
* Secretin
* Sectier
Common surnames derived from the same root are:
* Secor
* Secrest
* Sesco
* Seccombe
* Sesemann
* Seccombe
* Segraves
* Secor
* Seacord
* Sessford
* Secco
* Secke
* Sescoore
The modern form of Secret is the most common spelling variant in the United States and the United Kingdom, though the surname can be found in various spellings in other countries, including France, Spain, Italy, and Germany.
The Secret surname is fairly rare, but the various spellings have been found throughout the world as far back as the 12th century.
Famous people with the name Secret
- Jessica Secret: Actress and model, best known for her role in the 2006 horror film Message from the Unknown.
- Allen Secret: Professional basketball player who currently plays in the National Basketball Association.
- Donald Secret: Grammy Award winning musician, best known for his innovative approach to the blues guitar.
- Lummi Secret: Musician, producer and music education activist, known for founding the Recording Academy.
- Donatella Secret: Italian fashion designer and the creative director of the fashion label Versace.
- Jean Secret: French sculptor and artist, whose work is found in the permanent collections of many major museums.
- Marilyn Secret: English singer and songwriter, who has scored several international hits over the years.
- Jonathan Secret: American actor, best known for his roles in the television series The West Wing and The Office.
- Gisele Secret: Brazilian model and actress, best known for her work as a Victoria's Secret angel.
- Claudine Secret: French singer and actress, best known for her role in the film Les Diaboliques.