Munt

This is an Olde English surname, whose origins go back into pre-history, and probably predates the Roman Invasion of 55 a.d. The nearest translation is "small hill" and a similar word exists in the French "monte." If there is any doubt about the meaning, it is clearly described in the first recording as shown below. Furthermore like most topographical surnames, which can best be described as names taken from prominent features of the landscape, rather than other man made objects such as houses, farms or towns, it is found throughout England, although in relatively small numbers. In fact it is interesting to speculate as to why the equally Olde English "Hill" is a popular surname, whilst "Munt" which may even be an earlier form, is much less common. The Coat of Arms is that of a white field charged with three peacocks in proper colours, the crest being a savages head. The early recordings of the surname include Walter Munte of Dorset in the Hundred Rolls of that county circa 1305, whilst the strange recording of Roger de Munt Feront, is recorded for Suffolk at the same period. Other recordings include Elizabeth Munt who married William Ediall at Canterbury on January 1st 1677, whilst on June 11th 1729 Robert Munt married Jane Hdds at Snodland, also Kent. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William atte Munt, which was dated 1293, in the Curia Regis Rolls for Kent, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The hammer of the Scots," 1272 - 1307. 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.