Last Names

Surnames / T

Triplett

What is the origin of the last name Triplett?

English originDescriptive (a nickname)Rank #1,965 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Triplett has its origin in medieval England, deriving from the Old French word "triplet," meaning triplet or threefold. This surname denotes an individual who may have been born as one of a triplet or perhaps has threefold qualities or associations. With roots firmly planted in genealogy, the Triplett name reflects a rich historical past and serves as a testament to the importance of understanding the etymology of surnames.

The longer story

The last name Triplett, of English origin, is a relatively uncommon surname in the United States. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "triplet," which means "threefold" or "having three parts."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Triplett surname can be traced back to 13th century England. The surname was originally used as a nickname for someone who was a triplet or had triplets. Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname and spread to different parts of the country.

The distribution of the Triplett surname in the United States is concentrated in certain regions, particularly in the southern states. This suggests that the surname may have its roots in the early English settlers who migrated to America and carried their surname with them.

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.

Similar spellings

#1,965

Triplett was the 1,965th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 18,408 people, about 6.0 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)65.4%
  • Hispanic or Latino1.9%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)29.3%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.5%
  • Two or more races2.3%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.6%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Triplett.

Surnames like Triplett

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.