Show ContentsPescott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Pescott is derived from the word "peascod" or "peapod," a sack in which peas were kept. This word was originally derived from the Old English words "peose" and "pise," which mean "pea," and "codd," which means "bag." The Pescott name was occupational for a seller of peas. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

Early Origins of the Pescott family

The surname Pescott was first found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county in Northeast Wales created by the Laws in Wales Act 1536, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Pescott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pescott research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pescott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pescott Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Pescott have included Peascod, Pescod, Pyscoed, Pescodd and others.

Early Notables of the Pescott family

More information is included under the topic Early Pescott Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pescott family

Many Welsh families joined their Scottish and Irish neighbors during the late 1800s and early 1900s in seeking refuge in North America. Like the Irish and Scottish, many Welsh anxiously awaited the work, freedom, and opportunities that they believed lay in North America. Those who did journey over to the United States and what became known as Canada often realized those dreams, but only through much toil and perseverance. Whenever and however these Welsh immigrants arrived in North America, they were instrumental in the creation of the industry, commerce, and cultural heritage within those two developing nations. In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Pescott were found: Christian Pescot who settled in Boston in 1716; Joseph Pescod settled in New York in 1775 with his wife and five children.



Houseofnames.com on Facebook