Surname Guyette - Meaning and Origin
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Guyette: What does the surname Guyette mean?
The last name Guyette is of French origin. The name is derived from the personal name "Guy," which is Old French in origin, and the suffix "ette" is typically used to form a diminutive. So, "Guyette" implies a younger or smaller individual named Guy. The name "Guy" itself has roots in the Germanic word "Wido," meaning "wood," or "Widu," meaning "forest." Therefore, an indirect interpretation of the surname Guyette could be "small person from the woods." Like many other surnames, Guyette was likely first adopted as a nickname and then gradually evolved into a surname. However, surnames' exact origins can be difficult to trace due to changes in language, dialect, and spelling over many centuries. Most often, they were originally based on a person's occupation, place of residence, or personal characteristics.
Order DNA origin analysisGuyette: Where does the name Guyette come from?
The surname Guyette is of French origin. The name is primarily found among populations in France. However, it is derived from the personal name Guy, which in turn originates from the Old German name Wido, meaning 'wood'. This was a popular name during the Middle Ages due to St. Vitus, a Christian saint martyred under the Roman emperor Diocletian in the early 4th century. The '-ette' suffix is diminutive in nature, suggesting the name might originally have referred to 'little Guy' or perhaps a female version of the name.
The name spread to England immediately after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century and then later to the New World with French migration. Today, besides France, the surname Guyette is most commonly found amongst populations in the United States and Canada, particularly in areas with significant Franco-American populations such as New England and Quebec. Despite this migration and spread, the surname remains relatively rare globally.
Variations of the surname Guyette
The surname Guyette is of French origin and is derived from the personal name Guy. Other variants include Guyet, Guyon, and Guyot which can also originate from the same French personal name. Guy is an old French name which is related to the word 'guide'. Variations of the surname start with or include the element Guy, such as in Guyatt or Guyotte.
Older French spellings may have used "Y" for "I" giving the variations of Guyette like Guyatte or Guyete.
Other variants might include changes in suffix such as Guyton, Guyonnet, Guyonneau, Guyotot, or Guyotet, which signify 'little Guy'.
For a surname with similar meaning but different origin, in Italian there is Guidetti, Guidotto, which have the same root 'guida', meaning guide.
It's important to note that names can be vastly changed due to migration, translation, and natural evolution of languages. Therefore, there might be other variants or spellings of the surname Guyette that aren't included here.
Famous people with the name Guyette
- Mark Guyette: American actor and television director known for his work on the series 7th Heaven.
- Tommy Guyette: former professional baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Daniel Guyette: independent film producer and director best known for producing the documentary film Little White Lies.
- Rachel Guyette: contestant on the reality TV show Survivor: Fiji in 2007.
- Luc Guyette: Canadian radio DJ and musician best known for his work as a host of MusicRecoil.
- Debbi Guyette: American author best known as the writer of the memoir Free Not Included.
- C.A. Guyette: author and lecturer specializing in the field of health and nutrition.
- Kerry Guyette: former professional baseball player who played in the minor league.
- Charlene Guyette: artist and Weaving instructor based in Kansas.
- Denise Guyette: professional dancer who has toured with major musical acts including Elton John and Bon Jovi.