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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There are no "dumb questions." Others out there have the same question
but are to shy to ask. So do everone a favor and post your question.
We'll all learn from the answers.
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?