The Atlantic Ocean to the north and west and the English Channel to the south borders Cornwall, the homeland to the Arscott family name. Even though the usage of surnames was common during the Middle Ages, all English people were known only by a single name in early times. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Arscott family originally lived in Arscott, in Devon of perhaps Arscott in Shropshire (Salop.)
Alternatively, the Ascott variant, derived from the Old English words "east" + "cot," meaning "eastern cottages," [1] can be found in Berkshire, Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. [2] The Berkshire parish is the oldest, dating back to 1177 when it was known as Estcota. Ascott-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire literally means "near the fortest of Wynchwood." [1]
The surname Arscott was first found in Devon, where "Tetcott was the last seat of the family of Arscott, who died out in the male line in 1788." [3]
Other early records include: William de Ardescote who was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1255 in Shropshire. William de Hassecote was found in Cornwall in 1201. [4]
As far as the Ascott variant, the first record was Ricahrd de Askote in 1375. [4]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arscott research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Arscott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Arscot, Ascot, Arscott, Ascott, Asscot, Asscott and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Arscott Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.