Surname Burnett - Meaning and Origin

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E. Burnett

Burnett: What does the surname Burnett mean?

The surname Burnett is of Old French origin. It is derived from the nickname "burnete" which refers to a person with brown hair, brown clothing, or a brown complexion. Therefore, it is essentially a descriptive name that was given based on a person’s appearance. The surname has several variants such as Burnett and Burnet. The name became common in Scotland and England during the Norman Conquest. Some of the earliest records of the Burnett surname originate from Yorkshire, England. It's also linked to a prominent Scottish clan known as the House of Burnett, with a history dating back to the 12th century. Hence, individuals with this surname often have a longstanding historic lineage.

Burnett: Where does the name Burnett come from?

The surname Burnett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, primarily derived from the Old English given name "Bernhard" or "Beornheard," composed of the elements "bern," which means bear, and "hard," which translates to brave or strong. Hence, the given name means "brave as a bear." The surname "Burnett" came from a diminutive or pet form of this name "Bernard," which became "Bernot," "Barnot," or "Burnet."

Over time, the surname Burnett has been commonly attributed to families in Scotland and England. In Scotland, the Burnett family dates back to the 12th century with the Burnard family in Yorkshire, England having its roots in the 11th century. From these regions, the name spread throughout the English-speaking world.

The Burnett surname is still common in these areas today and it has also proliferated in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia due primarily to immigration.

Variations of the surname Burnett

The surname Burnett has various spellings and variants. These include Burnet, Burnette, Burnatt, Burnetts, Burnnett, Burnitt, and Bernett among others.

There is also a possibility that different regions have adapted the surname with unique spellings according to their language and dialect, which can further contribute to the variations. For example, in French, it could be spelled as "Burnete."

The origin of the surname Burnett is generally agreed upon as Scottish, rooted in Old French. It's derived from the Old French words 'burnete', 'brunete', and 'brun', which means brown or dark brown, likely referring to the original bearer's hair color or complexion. Another related Scottish surname which has the same root is 'MacBurnet.'

In some cases, it's used as a variant for the Jewish surname 'Bernstein,' indicating that sometimes people from different ancestral lines might bear this surname due to anglicization or other regional adaptations.

So, while Burnett is the most common spelling, variations and the associated surname can be numerous depending on cultural, regional, and personal changes.

Famous people with the name Burnett

• Carol Burnett: An iconic American actress and comedian, known for "The Carol Burnett Show."
• Mark Burnett: A prominent British television producer, responsible for popular reality series like "Survivor," "The Apprentice," and "Shark Tank."
• Brooke Burnett: An American model and social media influencer.
• T-Bone Burnett: An Oscar-winning American music producer and musician.
• Leo Burnett: A significant advertising executive and the founder of Leo Burnett Company, Inc.
• Frances Hodgson Burnett: A famous British-American author, best known for "The Secret Garden" and "A Little Princess."
• Alan Burnett: An American television writer-producer particularly known for his work on animated series.
• Cory Burnett: A professional American football player.
• Horace Burnett: An American jazz bassist.
• Paul Burnett: A British DJ and radio presenter.
• Nick Burnett: A British film and TV producer.
• Catherine M. Burnett: An American politician.
• Jim Burnett: A former NFL official.
• Ernie Burnett: An early 20th-century songwriter.
• Julian Burnett: A professional basketball player from the UK.

Other surnames

BurneBurnelBurneleitBurnellBurnellBurnelsBurnerBurnesBurnessBurnetBurneteBurnetteBurney