LETTS
Letts is a surname of English origin, recorded throughout the British Isles. The name traces back to Old English origins, derived from the word lett, meaning barrier or fence. It is believed to have functioned originally as a topographic surname for individuals who resided near or worked with such barriers, and may also have served as a nickname for those skilled at constructing or repairing them.
In a separate line of derivation, the name appears in medieval times as a variation of the female given name Lettice or Letticia, itself a short form of the Latin Laetitia, meaning happiness or gaiety. This form of the surname is identified as a metronymic, signalling descent through the mother rather than the father. Variants recorded include Lett, Lettie, Letty, and patronymics such as Letts, Lettes, Lettsom, Lettson and Letson.
The earliest known instance of the family name is that of Warin Letice, dated 1273 in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk. The entry falls within the reign of King Edward I, who ruled from 1272 to 1307. Subsequent early records are found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex where Ralph Lette is listed in 1296, and in the Poll Tax rolls of Yorkshire where Alicia Letis appears in 1379.
Later examples demonstrate the name’s persistence in England: Jone, the daughter of William Lett, was christened at St. Leonard's, Eastcheap, London on 11 June 1542; Thomas Letts married Rebecca Baker at St. Botolph, Bishopsgate, London on 27 February 1632; and Thomas Lett, an emigrant to the West-Indian colonies, sailed aboard the ship Faulcon bound for Barbados in April 1635.
Throughout this historical span, the surname Letts has remained rooted in English culture. Its bearers have been associated with the Christian faith, a common denomination in the region, and the name continues to be recognised as a distinct English surname within the United Kingdom.
Typical given names associated with the Letts surname
Male
- Anthony
- David
- John
- Matthew
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Philip
- Richard
- Robert
- Simon
Female
- Alison
- Amanda
- Anna
- Joan
- Julie
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Paula
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
- Vivienne
Similar and related surnames
- Lett
- Letson
- Lates
- Leat
- Latt
- Lattus
- Latus
- Latz
- Latas
- Latos
- Late
- Latts
- Lattes
- Laats
- Laitt
- Latte
- Laatz
- Ladas
- Ladds
- Ladisa
- Lads
- Ladzie
- Latice
- Latis
- Lattice
- Leades
- Leads
- Leate
- Leates
- Leathes
- Leaths
- Leatt
- Ledes
- Leedes
- Leeds
- Leet
- Leete
- Leets
- Leett
- Leetz
- Leight
- Leite
- Leites
- Leithes
- Leitz
- Let
- Letasi
- Lete
- Letice
- Letizia
- Lets
- Letsa
- Lette
- Lettes
- Lettey
- Lettice
- Lettie
- Letties
- Lettis
- Lettiss
- Letto
- Lettres
- Lettuce
- Letty
- Letz
- Leutz
- Lewtas
- Lewtis
- Liadis
- Liatis
- Liddes
- Lides
- Lidis
- Lietz
- Lietzau
- Lioutas
- Litos
- Littas
- Litts
- Litz
- Litza
- Lloydes
- Lloyds
- Loades
- Loads
- Loates
- Loats
- Lodes
- Lodos
- Lodz
- Loetz
- Loiudice
- Lootes
- Loots
- Lotes
- Lotis
- Lots
- Lotsu
- Lottes
- Lotts
- Lotus
- Lotz
- Lotze
- Loudes
- Louds
- Louts
- Loydes
- Loyds
- Ludds
- Ludes
- Luitsz
- Lutas
- Lutes
- Luts
- Lutts
- Lutz
- Lutze
- Lutzi
- Lydes
- Wyldes
- Wylds
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Letts in...
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There are approximately 1,485 people named Letts in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,396th most common surname in Britain. Around 23 in a million people in Britain are named Letts.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Letts
- Tracy Letts - American actor and screenwrier
- Don Letts - Film director
- Barry Letts - Actor, writer and director (1925 to 2009)
- Quentin Letts - Journalist
- John Letts - Publisher (1929 to 2006)
- Charles Letts - (1918 to 2013)
- John Letts - Flying ace (1897 to 1918)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.