sorry i really don't know either here. rhonda
Bill Thompson wrote:
Debra Pietrzyk wrote:
> We have Hazlett and Owlett, does the "lett" signify anything? Deb
> Pietrzyk
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Thompson [mailto:bill.thompson@wtassoc.com] Sent:
> Thursday, February 19, 2004 11:14 AM
> To: CAMPBELL-PA-NELSON-L(a)rootsweb.com
> Subject: [CaPaNe] Obits of Ford Owlett (1884 - 1941) & Dianthe OUDERKIRK
> Hood
>
> An obit of Cousin Fordyce DeRoy Owlett can be seen at
>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~srgp/clippings/tcobt207.htm
>
> Also found there is one for Dianthe Auderkirk (sic) Hood, sister of Kate
>
> OUDERKIRK, wife of Frank P. Tubbs.
>
>
>
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>
Good question. As you will recall, English is a linguistic "mutt" -
no purebred pedigree. The recipe seems to have been to take a lot of
Saxon words and grammar, add in a few words from Danish and
Norwegian. Then add a lot of French from the Norman conquerers. Let
it simmer for several centuries. Then let scholars add a few terms
from Latin and Greek. Cook till done. To garnish -- allow Welch,
Scots and Irish to sprinkle with a very, very few contributions from
Gaelic.
Scholars differ on the origins of the name Owlett. My personal vote
goes with those who think it comes from the French Oullette. In
French, the 'ette' ending is a diminutive, meaning little. Others
don't think Owlett is French, but do think it means "little Owl".
Others think the comes from "Howlet" -- the meaning of which I have no
idea.
I don't know about Hazlett. Conceivably it relates to the hazel
shrubs, a source of nuts and medicinal value. E.g. it's leaves were
suffused or distilled to make witch hazel. Perhaps someone live near
a thicket of Hazel The name sometimes appears as Haslett or even Hazels.
We may never know its origin for sure. There are lots of books that
claim to give the "real" meanings of names, but do the authors really
know what they are talking about.
Many names obviously come from occupations: smith, weaver, cooper,
fletcher, bowman, fuller, etc. Others from places or geographical
features a family lived near: Rivers, Lake, Ford, Forest, etc. And
many come from adding "son" to the father's name: Johnson, Williamson,
MacDonald, or FitzGerald (Norman French), etc. But for many, I think
we are left with endless speculation -- which can be fun.
Enough from me. Any other thoughts from list members?
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