Carratt

This unusual and interesting name is first recorded in England in the mid 16th Century, which suggests that it is of French Huguenot origin. During the latter half of the 16th Century a great many Flemish and French Protestants emigrated to England to escape religious persecution in Europe, and a surprising number of modern-day surnames are anglicized versions of French and Flemish names. 'Carratt', also found as 'Carette' (1611), 'Caritt' (1649), Coarrot' (1671), and 'Carrett' (1783), derives from either of the French metonymic occupational names 'Charrette' or 'Carret(i)er', derived from the Olde French 'caret', a diminutive form of 'car', cart, and used of someone who used or made carts, or was a transporter of goods, a 'carter'. 'Edward Carratt' married 'Margerye Foxe' in London in May 1584. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Carratte, christened, which was dated 13th March 1565, St. Giles, Cripplegate, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Good Queen Bess, 1558 - 1603. 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.