Puckett
What is the origin of the last name Puckett?
Meaning and origin
The last name Puckett is of English origin, derived from the medieval personal name "Pouket," which was likely a diminutive form of "Poul" or "Pock." The name Puckett originally referred to someone who resembled a small bird, possibly in terms of physical appearance or behavioral traits. Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname and spread across different regions, particularly in England and America.
The longer story
The last name Puckett is of English origin and is categorized as a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the personal name of an ancestor. The name can be traced back to medieval England, specifically in the county of Yorkshire. Yorkshire, known for its Viking influence, is likely where the Puckett surname originated.
The etymology of Puckett suggests that it is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Púki," which means "goblin" or "sprite" in English. The addition of the suffix "-ett" indicates a patronymic formation, meaning "son of Púki."
Throughout history, various spelling variations of Puckett have been recorded, such as Pokett, Poket, Pending, Poggett, and more. These variations are often the result of phonetic changes and inconsistencies in written records.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,273
Puckett was the 1,273rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 27,627 people, about 8.9 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Puckett
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Puckett is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.