Charette
A French surname from a word for a cart or wagon, originally pointing to a cart driver or maker.
The #8,032 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 74,920 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Charette is connected to French charette, meaning a cart, wagon, or little cart, from an older Norman-French form that also lies behind English words like "chariot." As a surname, it would have started as an occupational name for someone who drove, made, or used a cart or wagon. The historical notes also support this occupational sense rather than a purely descriptive one.
History
The name is found in French-speaking areas and in records influenced by Norman French vocabulary. Similar surnames formed from cart-related words are common in medieval French and English naming. In North America, Charette is especially familiar in French-descended communities, including French Canada and parts of the northern United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same old French word family that produced Charette also helped shape the English word "chariot."
From the historical record
“Chareton. Voiturier (oil). Charette. Sens actuel. Nom de voiturier. Charejrre. JI. sens q. Charriera. Chareyron. Ruelle (oc).”
— Dictionnaire des noms (French surnames)