Payette Surname Meaning & Coat of Arms

The spelling Payette grew out of Payet, a French surname with a long paper trail. Read literally, Payette points to “Country dweller / Payen”.

How the spelling arose

Payette adds -te to the root of Payet, a common way of forming related surnames. Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists. You may also find the name written Payen.

Family crest and blazon

Arms linked to Payet and its spellings were granted to individual families; our heraldry team traces which line they belonged to.

Get the complete Payette report, with a museum-style coat of arms.