Show ContentsJanet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The prestigious surname Janet originated in the beautiful and majestic region of Poitou in France. France was notorious for its eccentric kings, but it was revered for its contributions to European art and culture. The surname Janet originally came from the region of Poitou. It is a topographical name, which is a type of hereditary surname. Topographical surnames were taken from physical features or landmarks that the family lived near.

Early Origins of the Janet family

The surname Janet was first found in Poitou.

Early History of the Janet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Janet research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1696, 1715, 1765, 1804, 1820, 1823, 1859, 1863, 1864, 1899 and 1947 are included under the topic Early Janet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Janet Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Janelle, Janet, Janiaud, Janicot, Janin, Janisson, Jannet, Jannel, Jannin, Jannot, Janny, Janod, Janodet, Janon, Jannot and many more.

Early Notables of the Janet family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • Paul Janet, born in Paris in 1823, was named professor at the Sorbonne University in 1864. Earlier, he had been a doctor in Paris in 1863
  • he then became a Science professor in Grenoble, before his time at the Sorbonne. Pierre Janet (1859-1947), a neurologist and psychologist, nephew of the aforementioned philosopher Paul, became Directo...


Canada Janet migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Janet Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Claude-Joseph Janet married in 1759 in Longueuil, Quebec

Contemporary Notables of the name Janet (post 1700) +

  • Claire Janet Tomlinson (1944-2022), née Lucas, an English polo player and pony breeder, the highest-rated female polo player and coached the English national team she once captained
  • Mary Janet Climpson (d. 1940), British Salvation Army officer interred in Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery
  • Dr. Alison Janet Elliot C.B.E., O.B.E., FRSE, (b. 1948), British Associate Director for Centre for Theology and Public Issues for University of Edinburgh, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for public service 1
  • Ms. Caroline Janet Gard B.E.M., British recipient of Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for services to Young People and to Charity 1
  • Martha Janet Lafferty (1921-2007), birth name of Janet Blair, American film and television actress
  • Susan Janet Payne, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Georgia, 1996 2
  • Marion Janet Greeves MBE (1894-1979), née Cadbury, English politician, the first one of two female members of the Senate of Northern Ireland
  • Patricia Janet Scotland (b. 1955), Baroness Scotland of Asthal, a Labour Party life peer, Shadow Attorney General (2010-2011), Attorney General for England and Wales (2007-2010), Advocate General for Northern Ireland in 2010, Attorney General for Northern Ireland (2007-2010)
  • Kay Janet Denman (b. 1937), Australian politician, Senator for Tasmania (1993-2005)
  • Marion Janet Harron (1903-1972), United States Tax Court judge


  1. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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