Puckett is a town in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 354 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area. Founded by the Puckett family from nearby Tishamingo, Mississippi in 1898. The town's actual early founding is tied to Joshua R. Burnham (born 1845). He started the first post office there and an effort was made to name the town Burnham. The government denied the request, some attribute to because he fought in the Civil War. As alternate names were being debated, a black man by the name of Puckett was walking down the road at the time. They submitted Puckett, and it was accepted. From a search of existing records, there is/never was a nearby town named Tishamingo.