The name Burnet is of Scottish origin, derived from the Old Norse 'brún' meaning 'brown', and 'hetir' which signifies 'heather'. It was a surname originally given to someone who lived in an area covered with heather, or possibly to someone who had brown hair or a swarthy complexion. The name Burnet is also associated with the Scottish clan MacBhainn, whose members use the name as a sept name. In its original form, the name was likely spelt 'Burnet', but it has since been anglicized and can also be found as 'Burnett'. The name has a strong connection to Scotland's history and culture, with notable figures including Gilbert Burnet, a Scottish historian and bishop, who lived during the 17th century.
"The name Burnet experienced varying popularity in the late 1930s, with a peak of 7 births in 1938, but remained consistently low overall during this period."