Dowsett

Dowsett
This unusual name is of early medieval English origin, and is one of that interesting group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These were given with reference to a variety of distinguishing features, among them physical attributes or peculiarities, and mental and moral characteristics. In this case, the surname derives from the Anglo-French (post Norman Conquest) "doucet", a diminutive of the Old French "doux, dous", sweet to eye or ear, pleasing, agreeable, which in later Middle English became "doucet, dowcet". As a nickname, this epithet would have been applied to one thought to be particularly "sweet" and agreeable in disposition, or pleasing to behold. In some instances, the modern surname may derive from this term used as a female personal name, and would therefore be a metronymic; one Walter fil (son of) Dussote is recorded in 1273. Early examples of the surname, now found as Dowsett, Dowcett and Doucet, include John Dousete (1376, London), and William Doucet (1411, ibid.). The marriage of Thomas Dowsett and Eme Bowman was recorded at St. Mary Somerset, London, on July 11th 1586. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Dousot, which was dated 1315, in the "Feet of Fines of Huntingdonshire", during the reign of King Edward 11, known as "Edward of Caernafon", 1307 - 1327. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dowsett — may refer to: Alex Dowsett (born 1988), English professional cyclist, currently riding for Team Sky Charles Dowsett (1924–1998), Professor of Armenian at Oxford University Dickie Dowsett (born 1931), English professional footballer John Dowsett,… …   Wikipedia

  • Dowsett — Alex Dowsett (* 3. Oktober 1988 in Essex) ist ein englischer Bahn und Straßenradrennfahrer. Alex Dowsett wurde 2005 britischer Meister im Einzelzeitfahren der Juniorenklasse. Im nächsten Jahr gewann er den Prolog beim Ster van Zuid Limburg und… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Alex Dowsett — Alex Dowsett …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Dickie Dowsett — Personal information Full name Gilbert James Dowsett Date of birth 3 July 1931 ( …   Wikipedia

  • Charles Dowsett — Charles James Frank Dowsett (2 January 1924 – 8 January 1998) was the first Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian at the University of Oxford from 1965 to 1991. [1] A brilliant raconteur, his range of interests was immense and culminated in… …   Wikipedia

  • Alex Dowsett — Alex Dowsett, 2009 Alex …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Craig Dowsett — Personal information Full name Craig Dowsett Date of birth …   Wikipedia

  • Alex Dowsett — Alex Dowsett, en 2009. Alex Dowsett (3 de octubre de 1988) es un ciclista británico. Se formó en la Academia sub 23 de la Federación Británica de Ciclismo en la Toscana italiana.[1] En 2008 y 2009 se p …   Wikipedia Español

  • John Dowsett — Justice John Dowsett QC is a Justice of the Federal Court of Australia and was appointed to the Federal Court on 14 September 1998 [ http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/aboutct/jj seniority.html] , after serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of… …   Wikipedia

  • Tour de l'Avenir 2010 — Une carte du parcours serait la bienvenue. Généralités Édition …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”