Etymology of Hut
What does the name Hut mean?
The origins of the German surname Hut are not clear, so we will explore the various entomological origins here.
One group feels the surname Hut is of occupational origin. Occupational names are those surnames which derive their origin from the trade or profession of the father of the initial bearer of the name as a surname. In this instance, the surname Hut derives from the German word "hut" meaning "hat or helmet", in this instance, the name indicates a hat or helmet maker. Alternatively, the name derives from a house sign, that is a sign over ones house became the family name, in this instance it was the hat makers sign, that eventually became the family name.
Another group feels that the name is of patronymic origin, deriving from the name of the father of the original bearer, in this case the name Hut derives from the Low German personal name Hudo, the origins of that personal name are not known.
Occasionally, the name is of toponymic or locative origin, deriving from the name of a place near which the original bearer once lived or held land. Here, the surname Hut derives from the name Huette, meaning a small house. As there are many places named Huette in all regions of Germany, it also indicates someone living in a small house or near to one.
Finally, one groups believes the name could have been a variant of the German surname Otto and may have been changed upon arrival to America.
