Nesbitt

Nesbitt is a surname of Scottish origin, which can also be found in England and Ireland. The name is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Asbiorn," meaning "gods bear," and the Middle English word "bit," meaning "bite." It is believed that the surname was used to describe someone known for biting or having a sharp bite.

History

The Nesbitt family can trace its roots back to the ancient Scottish clans and families. The surname is most commonly found in the northern regions of England and Scotland, with notable concentrations in the counties of Northumberland and Durham.

Notable Individuals

  • James Nesbitt - a renowned Northern Irish actor, known for his roles in television series such as "Cold Feet" and "The Missing."
  • Bernard Nesbitt - a British artist known for his landscape paintings, particularly of the Scottish countryside.

Variants

Variants of the Nesbitt surname include Nesbit, Nisbet, and Nisbett, reflecting different regional pronunciations and spelling variations over time.

References

  1. Reaney, P.H., & Wilson, R.M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  2. Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 4,154 people named Nesbitt in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,242nd most common surname in Britain. Around 64 in a million people in Britain are named Nesbitt.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Caroline
  • Catherine
  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • Julie
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Victoria

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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