the aylett family of virginia was a prominent family in king william county in colonial virginia which also supplied several brides to the washington and lee families. the family descended from thomas aylett (1570-1650) of hovells, in coggleshall, essex, via his son william (1607- 1677) who became a merchant taylor in london. it was his son william (?1640-1679) who moved to virginia. aylett, virginia is named for the family.