Last Name Cailleret

The surname Cailleret is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "caillart," which means "small pebble" or "gravel." This name was originally a nickname for someone who lived near a gravelly area, had a stony appearance, or perhaps worked with stones. As with many surnames, Cailleret was often occupational in its original form, indicating that the individual might have been a mason, stone cutter, or quarrier.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cailleret

The meaning and origin of the last name Cailleret

The surname Cailleret is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "caillou," which means "pebble" or "small stone." This name was originally used as an occupational name for someone who worked with stones or pebbles, possibly a mason or quarryman. Alternatively, it could have been a topographic name for someone living near a stony or rocky area. The name spread to other regions of Europe during the Middle Ages due to French colonization and migration. Over time, variations in spelling such as Caillart, Callet, and Caleret emerged, reflecting regional differences in pronunciation and transcription. Today, the surname Cailleret is most commonly found in France but can also be found in other French-speaking regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cailleret

Cailleret is a French surname that is primarily distributed within France, particularly in regions such as Burgundy, Franche-Comté, and Lorraine. Historically, it has been associated with the cities of Dijon and Besançon due to their prominence during the Middle Ages. The name may have origins linked to professions like stone masonry or metalworking, derived from the Old French word "caleret," which means "little forge."

Additionally, small populations with the Cailleret surname can be found in other French-speaking countries, including Belgium and Switzerland, as a result of migration during historical periods. In recent times, members of the Cailleret family have also settled in various English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to immigration and diaspora.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cailleret

The surname Cailleret has several variations and spellings, reflecting differences in pronunciation and transcription over time and across geographical regions. Some of these include:

1. Caillaret
2. Caillet
3. Caleret
4. Callet
5. Cailletet
6. Caillelet
7. Calletot
8. Calaret
9. Kallereit (Germanized form)

These variations may arise due to factors such as regional dialects, scribal errors in historical records, or intentional alterations to facilitate pronunciation in different languages or cultures. It's important to note that these spellings might not all be equally common and could have varying distributions depending on the specific geographic location and time period under consideration.

Famous people with the last name Cailleret

Prominent individuals bearing the surname Cailleret include:

1. Pierre Cailleret (1894-1967), a French sculptor known for his abstract and minimalist works, which were exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 1950.

2. Claude Cailleret (1934-2014), a French mathematician and computer scientist who made significant contributions to programming languages, logic, and artificial intelligence. He co-developed the Algol W language in the early 1960s.

3. Jean-Pierre Cailleret (born 1950), a French politician who served as a member of the National Assembly from 2007 to 2017, representing the department of Seine-Maritime. He is a member of La République En Marche! political party.

4. François Cailleret (born 1961), a French artist and illustrator known for his work in children's literature and comics, including collaborations with authors such as Gérard Lauzier and Michel Pagel. His most famous works include "Le journal de la petite Jo" and "Les aventures de Tanguy et Laverdure".

5. Pierre-Alain Cailleret (born 1976), a French football player who played as a defender for several teams, including Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique de Marseille, and AJ Auxerre. He also represented the French national team at the Under-20 level.

Genealogical research on the last name Cailleret

The surname Cailleret originates from France and is derived from the Old French word "caillou," meaning "small stone." It was originally a toponymic name, indicating someone who lived near a small rocky area or place with stones. The Caillerets are believed to have originated in the Burgundy region of eastern France.

One notable individual with this surname is the French engineer and inventor Pierre Cailleret (1852-1934), known for his work on hydraulic machinery. Another prominent figure is the Swiss artist Georges Cailleret (1864-1909), who specialized in landscape painting.

The Cailleret family has been documented as early as the 13th century, with records showing members of the family living in various parts of France and Switzerland. Today, the surname is most commonly found in France, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "cailleret"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 25 July 2025

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