The
Anglo-Saxon name Eacott comes from when the family resided at
the court, a phrase which may have indicated either a large mansion or a tribunal. The prefix
A was often dropped by the 13th century, when many branches of the family became known as
Court. Some historians have suggested that certain variations of the name may be nicknames derived from the Old French and Old English word
curt, meaning
short or
truncated. However, time has confused the different derivations, and it is now extremely difficult to tell which is appropriate to a given family or situation.
Early Origins of the Eacott family
The surname Eacott was first found in "Covert or Couert,
Normandy, [who] held by the service of 1 fee of the barony or Braiose [Briouze]."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X) William de Braose (Briouze), First Lord of Bramber (died c. 1096) was granted extensive lands in
Sussex by William the Conqueror. Accordingly, the Eacott family held lands from him in
Sussex. In 1107, William de Cuvert witnessed the foundation charter of Barnstaple and years later William Guvert (Cuvert) held a fee of ancient enfeoffment from William de Courcy in
Somerset.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Early History of the Eacott family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eacott research.
Another 227 words (16 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eacott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Eacott 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 Eacott include A'Court, Court, Courte, Couert, Covert, Courtie, Courts and many more.
Early Notables of the Eacott family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Eacott Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Eacott family to Ireland
Some of the Eacott family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Eacott family to the New World and Oceana
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: Richard Court who settled in Virginia in 1637.
Contemporary Notables of the name Eacott (post 1700)
- Eva Eacott (b. 1949), British actress, known for What a Carry On!
- Billy Eacott (b. 1900), British boxer from the early 1900s who appeared in the silent film Prize Fight Between George Corfield and Billy Eacott (1901)
- John Eacott PhD (b. 1960), British Jazz trumpeter and composer from Reading, Berkshire
The Eacott Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Grandescunt aucta labore
Motto Translation: What is increased by Labour grows greater.