Lambertus Scarlet de Anandia gifted six pennies annually from the toft of Roger Pacok in the same town in the thirteenth century (Register, Priory of St. Bees, p. 354). Nicoll (or Richard) Scarlett had a charter from Robert I of the lands of Forgund, Inchmertein, and Velathis (or Velachis) forfeited by John Ballioll (RMS., I, App. II, 478). From the fourteenth to the sixteenth century a family named Scarlat or Scarlet held lands in Caithness. Thomas Scarlet held the lands of Westyrclithe and Nethirgreneland there in 1377 (RMS., r, 666). Patrick Skarlet was tacksman of Negarth in Evy, Orkney, 1492 (REO., p. 411). John Skarlet was servitor of Alexander Keith, captain of the Castle of Akirgill, Caithness, 1547 (OPS., II, p. 779). Caution was found for James Skarlott in Blackruthven in 1589 (RPC., IV,p. 350), and Marion Scarlet in Watten is in record in Caithness, 1664 (Caithness).

(Anglo-French-Pers.) Of Scarlet Complexion or Dress [Middle English scarlet(t, Old French escarlate (French écarlate); Pers. saqalát, etc., scarlet cloth] Robin Hood’s companion, Will Scarlet(t, seems to have been so nicknamed from the colour of his attire— And Scarlett he was flyinge a-foote Fast over stocke and stone.—Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne, 57-8.

Dr. Richardson observes, that scarlet was formerly used as an epithet of red; thus Chaucer's-"Hosen of scarlet rede," and Spenser's-"Robe of scarlet red." The surname was probably applied as a sobriquet to one who affected this colour for his costume. So Blue, Purple, &c. Scarlet without prefix, in H.R. A personage of this name was elected M.B. for Lincoln in 1307, in the short parliament which sat for eighteen days at Carlisle, during the war of King Edward I. with the Scots. An ancient Tuscan family, who bore the name of Scarlatti were exiled in the thirteenth century by the Guelphs, for being Ghibellines. Their arms are different, but it is a rather curious fact, that the English Scarletts bear as their crest, a Tuscan column supported by lions' jambs. See Notes and Queries, March 17, 1860.

From Carlat or Escarlat, Aquitaine. Bernard was Viscount of Carlat 932 (Anselme, ii. 695, &c.). From him descended Richard, Gilbert, and Raymond, joint Viscounts of C., who appear to have accompanied the Conqueror, 10G6. From the first descended Hugh the Viscount, d. before 1159, who had Hugh de C., Count of Rhodez 1199. In 1195 the Hospitallers held lands in York, the gift of Hugh Scarlet or Carlat; and at the same time occur William S. in Somerset and Kent, Gilbert S. in Middlesex, Mon. ii. 540 (Rotuli Curiae Regis). The family thenceforth appears in various parts of England. It bears the lion rampant of the Viscounts of Carlat. Hence the eminent Lord Chief Justice Scarlett, Lord Ahinger.

From the German, Scharlot; a personal name.

The Scarletts were a Leominster family in the 17th century, and bailiffs or mayors in 1618, 1635, and 1664 were thus named (T.). The name is now rare in the county.