Fossett

This interesting name is of Olde English origin pre 10th century, and derives from the villages of Fawcett or Facit in Cumberland, Yorkshire and Lancashire. The translation in "The house (ge-sete) by the Ford (Forda)" and the name is an early recording particularly in Yorkshire, however it has also been suggested that some name holders have a Huguenot (French) origin, and that the name is an "anglicization" of "Fausser". This possible as the name development includes Henry Fauser (1481, Yorkshire) whilst William Faucett, John Fasset and Thomas Fossett, all appear in the 1674, Hearth Tax Returns for Suffolk. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Fascett. which was dated 1398, The Friary Rolls of Yorkshire. during the reign of King Richard II, Richard of Bordeaux, 1377 - 1400. 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.