Anyone Know How to Pronounce Cazalet
#41
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
Cazalet is a French Huguenot name originating in the Languedoc-Rousillon Region. As the unoffical genealogist of the Cazalet family, I can tell you that it is indeed Kazahleh in France. However, I live in the US, where it is pronounced Kazahlette (as in roulette). My late uncle was always a Kazahlette until he moved to Monteal, where he became a Kazahleh. We answer to both.
#42
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,582
Actually it’s a bit more complicated than you might think and it’s all down to our old friend class.
Essentially there are three groups of people in Britain with French derived surnames. Two of ‘em are posh.
There’s us Normans and we simply say them as they are written. That’s dead posh (apart from me who lowers the tone (the big give away is to get us to say lieutenant – we have our own way. It’s like the Masons’ secret handshake)
Then there’s the revolutionary Diaspora of French nobles who fled over here in 1789 and they stick to the French pronunciation. Them’s posh but potless.
Finally there are the Huguenots who just do what they damned well like.
Simples.
Essentially there are three groups of people in Britain with French derived surnames. Two of ‘em are posh.
There’s us Normans and we simply say them as they are written. That’s dead posh (apart from me who lowers the tone (the big give away is to get us to say lieutenant – we have our own way. It’s like the Masons’ secret handshake)
Then there’s the revolutionary Diaspora of French nobles who fled over here in 1789 and they stick to the French pronunciation. Them’s posh but potless.
Finally there are the Huguenots who just do what they damned well like.
Simples.
#43
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
Sorry, in all my searching I haven't found any royal Cazalets packing up the jewels and checking in at Buckingham Palace in 1789. I have, however, found nearly all the Cazalets choosing Great Britian over Louis XIV and 20 years in a galley in 1685, although it was a close contest.
However, it is possible that several descendants have wormed their way into the House of Windsor succession since the Edict of Nance.
However, it is possible that several descendants have wormed their way into the House of Windsor succession since the Edict of Nance.
#44
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,582
