Surname Padgitt - Meaning and Origin
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Padgitt: What does the surname Padgitt mean?
The surname Padgitt is of English origin and is believed to be locational. It is likely derived from the old English words "Pad" and "Gate," which in combination could mean "path to the gate". The name might have been used to identify an individual who lived near or worked at the town gate, or along the road that led to it.
Surnames began to be used in England from the 12th Century onwards to distinguish people with the same personal (first) name. They were usually derived based on a person's trade, occupation, dwelling place, or even a personal characteristic.
As a unique and relatively uncommon last name, tracing the exact origins and meanings of Padgitt can be challenging. However, similar to other surnames, it likely had some significance relating to geographical locations, professions, or personal attributes during the times when surnames became hereditary.
Given the migrations and name variations over centuries, Padgitt might also have evolved from other surnames or could have other interpretations based on different regional dialects and languages. As a result, it's hard to pinpoint a single definitive meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisPadgitt: Where does the name Padgitt come from?
The Padgitt family name is most commonly associated with the United States, but is shared across the world.
In the United States, the Padgitt name is spread from coast to coast, with large populations emerging in the states of Texas and Alabama. Texas hosts the largest group of Padgitts, with a population of over 900 according to the 2019 US census. This population can be found predominantly in and around the cities of Houston and San Antonio, as well as in the small towns and hamlets found in between.
The next largest population of Padgitts resides in Alabama. This group of Padgitts is quite a bit smaller—only around 700 people—but is concentrated mainly around the cities of Birmingham and Huntsville.
Outside of the US, Padgitts can be found mainly in South Africa, Australia, and the United Kingdom. There are fewer than 250 Padgitts in each of these countries, and the population is spread out among a handful of major cities.
Padgitts can be found to a much lesser degree in various countries across the globe including Canada, India, and France. All of these countries report fewer than 50 Padgitts, and their locations are concentrated in a handful of cities.
As can be seen from this brief overview, the Padgitt family name is alive and well in the United States and beyond, providing an indication of the family's presence across the globe.
Variations of the surname Padgitt
The Padgitt surname has several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Padgett, Padget, Padgit, Pagett, Pact, Padgitts, Padgette, Pagette, and Paggett.
The origin of the name Padgitt is believed to be French and is derived from the Middle English phrase padget, which means a pocket-like bag or small piece of furniture. This suggests that the original spelling may have been Padyt or Padget.
The Padgitt family has a long presence in England, with records of their activity in England dating back to 1273. The spelling of the name in this time period was usually Padget, and the family primarily resided in Somerset and Dorset.
In America, members of the Padgitt family began to arrive in the late 1600s, with records of a Padgit being documented in South Carolina in 1685 and members of the Padget surname in Maryland in the 1700s. Through the centuries, the name has spread to other parts of the country, including Virginia, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
The Padgitt name is shared by many different people and families, and has undergone various spelling variations in the past. Since it has French origins, it is likely that it was originally pronounced somewhat differently from its modern form. Today, various spellings of the surname are still used, providing a link to its interesting history.
Famous people with the name Padgitt
- Larry Padgitt: former college and professional American football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers
- Robert Padgitt: American judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- Kyle Padgitt: former Major League Baseball outfielder
- Charles Padgitt: American lawyer and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi
- D. K. Padgitt: American writer specializing in fiction
- Gerard Padgitt: American long-distance runner
- Steve Padgitt: career U.S. Navy officer and a former NASA astronaut
- Johnny Padgitt: former NFL linebacker who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Mike Padgitt: Managing Director of US Energy Services
- C.D. Padgitt: American novelist and short story writer