Explore the Family Name Viverette

The meaning of Viverette

Probably an altered form of French Viveret: topographic name for someone who lived by a fishpond, from a diminutive of vivier ‘fishpond’ (see Vivier). It is found mainly in NC. Altered ending reflects the Canadian and American French practice of sounding the final -t. The surname Viveret is very rare in France. Compare Vivrett. History: This surname can be traced back to Thomas Viverett(e) or Vivrett, who in the second half of the 18th century lived Nash County, NC. His origin is not known, but family tradition says that he was a descendant of French Huguenots from Northern Ireland. It was his son James who remained in NC and whose descendants spell their surname Viverette; descendants of other two sons, Lancelot, and Micajah Thomas, spell their surname Vivrett or Vivrette. However, these three names are not listed in the (US) National Huguenot Society’s register of qualified Huguenot ancestors, nor in the similar register of the Huguenot Society of America.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.