Show ContentsFollet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Follet

What does the name Follet mean?

The Follet surname comes from the Old French word "fol," meaning "mad," or "stupid." This in turn comes from the Latin word "follis" which formerly referred to anything filled with air, but which later took on metaphorical connotation of vanity. As a surname, it was most likely a nickname for a free-spirited or eccentric person, which was later adopted as a hereditary surname.

Early Origins of the Follet family

The surname Follet was first found in Kent where they held a family seat from early times. The earliest record found of the name in Britain, is in the Domesday Book of 1086, which shows a William Folet in Kent. Follet may be descended from a family, which originated in Cotentin, in western Normandy. Of this line was Sampson Foliot, Seigneur, (or Lord) of Montfarville, near Cherbourg.

Early History of the Follet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Follet research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1147, 1158 and 1599 are included under the topic Early Follet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Follet Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Folet, Follet, Follett and others.

Early Notables of the Follet family

More information is included under the topic Early Follet Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Follet Ranking

In France, the name Follet is the 2,071st most popular surname with an estimated 3,037 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Follet family to Ireland

Some of the Follet family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Follet migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Follet or a variant listed above:

Follet Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Follet, who landed in New Hampshire in 1651 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Follet (post 1700) +

  • René Follet (1931-2020), sometimes known by the pen name Ref, a Belgian illustrator, comics writer and artist
  • Ken Follet (b. 1949), Welsh novelist
  • Clyde Follet Seavey (1904-1991), American artist


The Follet Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Quo virtus ducit scando
Motto Translation: I climb where virtue leads


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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