Surname Jawitt - Meaning and Origin

Jawitt: What does the surname Jawitt mean?

The last name Jawitt is derived from the medieval English name of Jeviot or Jevviot. It is an Anglo-Saxon surname, meaning “someone from the Jeviot region”. The Jeviot region is an area of Derbyshire, England, located near Belper. The nickname “Jawitt” was likely given as a result of its close proximity to the Bow Brook, which was an important water source in the area.

The Jawitt family has a long history in the Derbyshire region of England, with many members having been recorded in the region since the late 13th century. Records from the earliest census indicate that the name Jawitt can be found in close proximity to Belper and other settlements in the area.

The modern spelling of the surname has changed several times over the years, from Jawayte in the 14th century to Jevaze in the 16th century. Today, the most popular spelling is Jawitt.

Throughout its history, the Jawitt family has been associated with a number of professions. They have been tenants, farmers, and landowners, as well as cloth merchants and tanners. They have also been active in local parish life, with several members holding positions in their local churches.

In modern times, the Jawitt family continues to live in and around Derbyshire, England. They also remain proud of their roots and have taken an active role in preserving the history of their surname.

Jawitt: Where does the name Jawitt come from?

The surname Jawitt appears to have British origins, specifically from England. While being a fairly rare surname, tracing it back to definitively categorize it to any particular region within England is a complex task due to its low frequency and the changes in spelling that many surnames underwent throughout history.

The root of the name may be “Jowett,” a West Yorkshire surname. The "Jowett" surname supposedly originated from the given name of 'Jawet,' belonging to the era of the Normans in the England in the 11th century. Over centuries, the surname likely changed due to factors like phonetics, local dialects, and even literacy levels.

Today, the surname Jawitt remains relatively rare globally. Like many British surnames, it has probably spread beyond its original geographical location due to migration and globalization. Hence, it may be found scattered in countries like the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa where British descendants migrated. However, the highest concentration of people with the Jawitt surname is still likely to be in the United Kingdom. Due to its rarity, there may not be any particular place where it is considered common today.

Variations of the surname Jawitt

The surname Jawitt may find its origins in the Old French personal name 'Gervais', or perhaps from English geographical names such as Jewett or Jewitt, meaning 'dweller at the Jews' houses'. Variants of the name may include Jawett, Jewett, Jewitt, Jowitt, Jowett, and Jaouen. Sometimes, spellings may differ due to errors in transcription, phonetic spelling, or anglicization of non-English names. The surnames shot, gauze, jotte, jaud, jort, joss, gaut, jowet, jouet, jowid might also be connected due to similar pronunciation or regional language differences. It is also important to note that many surnames have evolved over time, with letters added or dropped in different geographical locations and periods. This list may not be exhaustive and conducting further research may unearth more variants or related surnames. For the most accurate lineage or etymology of a surname, professional genealogical services or the study of heraldry may be required.

Famous people with the name Jawitt

• Richard Jawitt: is a professional footballer for FC Gifu in the Japanese football.
• Patricia Jawitt: is a former Channel 4 continuity announcer in the United Kingdom.
• Maren Jawitt: is a Norwegian professor, trainer and coach in leadership, organizational development, and strategy.
• Sage Jawitt: was an All-American lacrosse player.
• Ben Jawitt: is a mixed martial artist currently competing on the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
• Heidi Jawitt: is a former American backstroke swimmer.
• Daniels Jawitt: is a restrained human rights defender and the executive director of Voice of Oromo Civic and Cultural Organizations.
• Jack Jawitt: is an Award-winning British television writer, director and producer.
• Frank Jawitt: is a former batsman for Zimbabwe.
• Stephen Jawitt: is an Australian musical director and producer.

Other surnames

Jawit