Tregent

This unusual name has an equally unusual history. It derives from the French "Tregoin or Tregain", surnames associated with the Languedoc Region, although themselves of Breton or even Cornish origins from the dawn of history. The earliest name holders in England were huguenots, the Languedoc region being predominantly protestant. The name is habitational and would seem to derive from "Tre" meaning a house or settlement, plus "Gonyow", a sown or heathland, as in the "modern" Cornish "Tregonna", or "Tregenna". Name recordings include Jacques Tregant, christened at St. Botolophs, London on February 5th 1758. He was the son of Antoine Tregant shown in the first recording below as Anthony Tregent, - so much for the spelling. Earlier in 1750, Marie Ann Tregent was christened at Glasshouse Street Huguenot Church, Westminster, and she was the daughter of Anthony (Antoine) Tregent. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Anthony Tregent (as recorded), which was dated May 9th 1749, The Oxford Chapel, Vere Street, London, during the reign of King George 11, "The Last Soldier King", 1727 - 1760. 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.