Surname Houallet - Meaning and Origin
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Houallet: What does the surname Houallet mean?
Houallet is a French surname, believed to have derived from a nickname for a clothier or wool-worker, with the German and Dutch roots of hou(t) (wool) and llet (maker). This originates from the 17th century when people were known by their profession, rather than their family name.
In French, a houallette was a heavy, black, wool garment worn as an overcoat or cloak, often by scholars and students. This could be the origin of the Houallet name, suggesting an ancestor who worked as a clothier or wool-worker.
The Houallet family is believed to have first settled in the Brittany region in France, and can still be found in that area today. The surname also appears in records in the nearby Normandy region.
The name Houallet is a rarely found name even in France, especially compared to the most popular surnames such as Martin and Dupont. Despite its rarity, the Houallet family is proud of their name and heritage. As a clan, they have worked together to keep their name alive over the centuries and make it a symbol of pride.
Order DNA origin analysisHouallet: Where does the name Houallet come from?
The last name Houallet is commonly found in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. It is most prevalent in the areas of Pas de Calais, particularly in the cities of Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer and Arras. The region is one of the most densely populated areas in France with numerous communities that have formed over the centuries, and Houallet families are likely among them.
The name has also spread across the world since the 1800s, and both North America and Australia are home to many individuals bearing the Houallet name. Houallet families that began migrating in the mid-19th century often settled in the Great Lakes region of the United States and in the province of New Brunswick in Canada. In Australia, many Houallettes traveled to the continent around the same time as part of the 19th century gold rushes, and multiple generations of the family now live throughout the country.
Today, hundreds of Houallet families still reside within the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, and the family name has become increasingly more widespread due to international travel and immigration. With online genealogy sites and other resources, it’s possible to trace many branches of the Houallet family all over the world.
Variations of the surname Houallet
The surname Houallet has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Haualet, Hovalle, Huvallet, Houalle, Hovallett, Hovall, Hovallot, Houallett, Hovallot and Hovillon.
The most common variation is Houallet, which is an occupational name derived from the French phrase ‘houel’ meaning wheelwright, as records show many family members of this name were wheelwrights in the Middle Ages. In addition, it is recorded that many would have had the ‘elle’ added to the end of the name as a mark of respect to the French nobility. These variations in the spelling of the surname could have occurred due to families not having access to formal schooling and there being no set spelling rules during the Middle Ages.
It is also thought that ‘Hovallot’ or ‘Hovillon’ could be derived from Scottish-Gaelic origins, possibly from either the ‘MacHughalet’ or ‘MacLugall’ clans, who are also listed as possible extensions of the same family. Similarly, ‘Huvallet’ may be derived from the Old French ‘oueval’ meaning valley, suggesting the first people to adapt this name may have lived in a valley region.
Overall, it is clear that the surname Houallet has a number of variations and spellings, all of which are believed to originate from a common family origin. As a result, it is possible to trace the Houallet family back through the ages by researching the other surnames.
Famous people with the name Houallet
- Jean-Simon Houallet: French professional ice hockey player playing for HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
- Wilfrid-Abel Hotallet: French Jesuit theologian of the 19th century.
- Joseph Houallet: French theologian and author of religious books in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Jean-Joseph-Julien Houallet: French noble of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Roger Houallet: French comedian and entertainer of the early 20th century.
- Paul Houallet: French sculptor of the first half of the 20th century.
- Denise Houallet: French aviator and test pilot of the second half of the 20th century.
- Pascal Houallet: French Olympic cyclist of the late 20th century.
- Armand-Loup-Edouard Houallet: French military officer of the first half of the 20th century.
- Julien-Joseph Houallet: French-Canadian journalist, author and historian of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.