Surname Burnette - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Celtic Roots of the Burnette Surname with iGENEA DNA Test

I took the iGENEA DNA test to explore the roots of my surname, interacting with a global community of Burnettes, and uncovering our shared Celtic origins and migration patterns. It was a fascinating journey into my genealogical past.

U. Burnette

Burnette: What does the surname Burnette mean?

The surname Burnette is of French origin, referring to "Burnard" which is an old French personal name. It was subsequently anglicized to Burnette. The name "Burnard" is derived from Germanic elements - "bern" meaning "bear" and "hard" meaning "brave, hardy, or strong." Hence, Burnette originally denoted someone who was strong and brave like a bear. It's also often associated with the color brown, as "brunette" in French is used to describe a person with brown hair. Over time, Burnette became a hereditary surname passed down through generations. It's important to note that surnames can have multiple origins and interpretations, especially considering regional differences and variations in spelling.

Burnette: Where does the name Burnette come from?

The last name Burnette is of English origin, coming from the Old French "brunette", which is a diminutive of "brun" or "brown". It was originally given as a nickname to people with brown hair, brown complexion or who wore a lot of brown. Though it was first used in France, Burnette was then popularized in the British Isles by the Normans after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Today, the surname Burnette is common in the United States, ranking within the top 2000 most common surnames. It is also reasonably common in England, Scotland and other English-speaking countries such as Canada and Australia. However, it's most frequently found in the United States, especially in the Southern states. The unique spelling and pronunciation variations of the surname in different regions and countries contribute to its spread as well. Examples of variations include Burnett, Burnet, Burnatt and Burnard. Despite its origin from the term for "brown", the name Burnette doesn't necessarily indicate any specific racial or ethnic group today.

Variations of the surname Burnette

The surname Burnette has many variants, spellings and surnames of its origin due to its Anglo-Saxon origins and its distribution across many Anglophone countries. Some of these variations include Burnett, Burnet, Bernett, Burnatt, Burnetts, Burnette, and even variants with a single "t" such as Burnet or single "e" like Burnett.

These changes in the surname can be attributed to its patronymic nature and the customary practice in the early day of phonetic spelling. The surname originates from the name of an ancestor as in 'the son of Bernard' but it can also be topographic for someone who lived by a spring or stream, in old English "burna".

The surname has morphed significantly across countries. For example, in France, the surname might have changed to Brunett or Brunette over the centuries. In Scotland, surnames like Burnet, Burnett, and Burnette are common.

It's also worthy to note that there might be other less common variants of the surname that are not in this list, as people often modified their surnames to suit their convenience and the local dialect.

Famous people with the name Burnette

• Johnny Burnette: An American singer-songwriter of rockabilly and pop music in the 1950s and 1960s who was one-half of the famous duo, The Rock 'n Roll Trio.
• Dorsey Burnette: The American rockabilly pioneer was Johnny Burnette's older brother, and the third member of the Rock 'n Roll Trio. Later, he had a successful solo career in country music.
• Billy Burnette: The American guitarist, singer, and songwriter is the son of Dorsey Burnette. He was a member of Fleetwood Mac between 1987 and 1995.
• Coral Burnette: The actress and motivational speaker, known for The Young and the Restless, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Erik the Viking.
• Homer Burnette: The former professional baseball player who was a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers (1955).
• Carol Burnette: While the spelling is different, few can leave out Carol Burnett, the iconic American actress, comedian, singer, and writer, best known for her long-running TV variety show, The Carol Burnett Show. In the world of music, the Burnette family:- Johnny, Dorsey, and Billy:- holds an important place. Each carved unique careers in various genres from rockabilly to pop, and country music.

Other surnames

BurnetBurneteBurnett