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The name of Rhett was a Welsh surname name that died out in the early 1800's. An Aristocratic South Carolina famliy revived the name by changing their name from Smith to Rhett in honor of their mothers famliy and their last known male survivor Colonel Arnold Rhett. In addition it should be noted that the father of succession was named Robert Barnwell Rhett whom was at one time a good friend of John C Calhoun. Robert Barnwell Rhett served as Attorney General for the State Of South Carolina as well as a U.S. Senator. It is also believed that his apology for his role in slavery in a book written shortly before his death inspired a good friend and admirer to write the Gospel Song Amazing Grace. Last but not least, the State of South Carolina use to be joking be referred to as Rhettsylvania because of the influence Robert B. Rhett had because of his ownership of newspapers at the time, and that he was the man whom most considered would replace Jefferson Davis as President of the Confedarcy had the motion to impeach Jefferson Davis succedded.