Ednicot History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Ednicot

What does the name Ednicot mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Ednicot comes from the family having resided as dwellers at the end cottage. The surname Ednicot originally derived from the Old English words Ende and Cot. 1

Early Origins of the Ednicot family

The surname Ednicot was first found in Devon "at Endicott in Cadbury, " 1 but, unfortunately we cannot locate this place today. Records of the family is the early years are scarce, but the Devon Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1327 do mention Johannes de Ynndecote, and this may be the first record of the family.

Without a doubt, the most important member of the family was John Endecott (1588?-1665), Governor of New England. He was "supposed to have been born at Dorchester, Dorsetshire, in or about 1588, but nothing is known of his early life. On 19 March 1628 he joined with five other ‘religious persons’ in purchasing a patent of the territory of Massachusetts Bay from ‘the corporation styled the council established at Plymouth in the county of Devon for the planting, ruling, and governing of New England in America.’ " 2

Early History of the Ednicot family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ednicot research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1300, 1601, 1629, 1630 and 1664 are included under the topic Early Ednicot History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ednicot Spelling Variations

Ednicot has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Endacott, Endecott, Endicott and others.

Early Notables of the Ednicot family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ednicot Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ednicot family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Ednicots to arrive on North American shores: John and Anne Endicott who settled in Massachusetts and became Governor of Massachusetts in 1628.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print