Show ContentsCercott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Cercott comes from when the family resided in the tithing of Southcote in the county of Devon. The surname was originally derived from the Old English words sud which meant south and cot which meant cottage.

Early Origins of the Cercott family

The surname Cercott was first found in Devon where they were Lords of the Manor of Southcote anciently seated in that shire. "Southcote, an estate in the parish [of Winkleigh], appears to have given name to the Southcote family." 1

Early History of the Cercott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cercott research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1242, 1345, 1511, 1556, 1559, 1560, 1562, 1563, 1585, 1620, 1622, 1661, 1662 and 1664 are included under the topic Early Cercott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cercott Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Cercott include Southcote, Sothcotte, Southcott, Sothcott, Southcod, Southcodt, Soutcott and many more.

Early Notables of the Cercott family

Notables of the family at this time include John Soputcote (1511-1585), an English judge, second son of William Southcote, by his wife, Alice Tregonnell, grandson of Nicholas Southcote of Chudleigh, Devonshire. "He was a member of the Middle Temple, where he was autumn reader in 1556...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cercott Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cercott family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: James Southcott, a soldier who settled in St. John's Newfoundland in 1813; Richard and Thomas Southcote settled in Nantasket, Massachusetts in 1630; Frederick Southcott arrived in Philadelphia in 1855.



  1. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital


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