Mallett Surname Origins — ‘Mil’ Variants 1851
Surname Variations and Frequencies - all Counties
Millett and Millet are the dominant forms of the name. Though there are undoubtedly families who insist on a certain spelling, there is little doubt that both of these names have a common source.
Most of the other variations appear to be derivations of the first two, and don't occur in large enough numbers to be considered to be distinct surnames in any event.
For a detailed look at other surname variants, click on "1851 Census Home", and follow the links from that page.
Distribution by Surname Variant
Distribution by Population Density
Surname Variant Distribution Map
Each symbol on the map represents at least one occurrence of the associated name in a particular location - but does not accurately represent population density.
Surname Distribution by County
The accompanying table shows the most common surname variations in the counties where they were found in the largest numbers. The total at the right hand side, however, represents the total number of all surname variations found in the corresponding county - not just the most common ones (some are not shown for want of space).
Distribution by Population Density (All Variants)
Distribution by Region
For a listing of the counties contained in each region see “Geographic Regions” on the main 1851 census page.
Given that "Millett" variants are well represented in the West Country counties of Somerset and Cornwall as well as Norfolk, one might reasonably conclude that the name derives from Malet because of the historical presence of that name in these areas.
However, the name is also very well represented in the Northern Counties where the Malet name has little historical reference, and where variations of "Mallett" were not common in 1851.
It is possible that the name is derived from Malet in those areas where Mallett variants are common, and in fact this is quite likely, at least in some cases, but it may also have arisen from other sources elsewhere.
As with all of the other surname variants, the South East region, heavily influenced by Greater London, is well represented by Milletts, but for reasons stated elsewhere, this region should not be considered to be an ancestral base for the name.
Population Density Area Map (All Variants)
This map gives a clear visual indication of which counties were home to the largest number of people with all surname variants in 1851. Only the most populous counties are identified by name.
Population Density Distribution Map (All Variants)
Each dot on the map represents at least 1 person. The larger the dot, the larger the population at that place.
Some large population centres of note are: Wiveliscombe, Norton St Philip, Rode, Frome, and Bedminster (Somerset); Madron, Marazion, Callington (Cornwall); Liverpool, Manchester, and Bury (Lancashire); Pontefract (Yorkshire); Herrington (Leicestershire); Portsea, and Alverstoke (Hampshire); Macclesfield, and Stockport (Cheshire).
Sources:
Author:
Bob Mallett
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
Last update January 29, 2006.