SCARLETT. 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.P. 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 Ghibelliues. Tlieir 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, ISGO.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.