Show ContentsCircuit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Circuit belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived 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 Circuit family

The surname Circuit 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 Circuit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Circuit 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 Circuit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Circuit Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Circuit include Southcote, Sothcotte, Southcott, Sothcott, Southcod, Southcodt, Soutcott and many more.

Early Notables of the Circuit 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 Circuit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Circuit family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Circuit were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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.


Contemporary Notables of the name Circuit (post 1700) +

  • Virginia for the 5th Judicial Circuit, 1869-72; Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Preston County, 1887-88; U.S. Consul in Windsor, 1897-1907 2


  1. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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