Argo

This rare surname is of medieval English origins, although with French and Roman overtones. It is recorded in the modern surname spellings of Argen, Argon, Argent, Argo, Argoe, Argue, Hargy, Hargerie, and no doubts others as well. All are quite rare, although 'Argue' is relatively popular in Northern Ireland, David Argue being recorded at Dromore, County Down, on April 4th 1795, and Catherine Argo, at the same place on August 4th 1821. The name however spelt is either a nickname for a person with silver-grey hair, or it is locational and of French origin, from one of the several French villages called 'Argent', or finally it is possible that it may be occupational for either a silver smith, or possibly one who worked in a silver mine. The name development and recordings include John Largent in the Suffolk Hearth Tax rolls of 1524, Aaron Argoe christened at St Botolphs without Aldgate, London, on April 28th 1605, Johannes Argo, the son of Phillipi and Mariam Argo, on August 14th 1664, and William Argent of St Margarets, Westminster, on July 7th 1686. Maria Hargie was recorded in Stepney on September 8th 1859 and again on April 13th 1864 when the spelling had changed to Harrgie! It is interesting to note that Robert Hargerie of York, married his wife Elizabeth (Auston) during the Great Siege of the city, by the forces of Parliament, from April to July 2nd 1644. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Geoffrey Argent, which was dated 1180, the pipe rolls of the county of Northampton, during the reign of King Henry 11, known as 'The church builder', 1154 - 1189. 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.