Westmancoat

This interesting and unusual name is of English locational origin from "Westmancote" in Worcestershire, recorded "Westmonecote" in the Domesday Book 1086, and "Westmanecota" in the Feet of Fines in 1212. The place name itself probably means the "cottage" or "animal shelter, especially sheep", of the Western men probably Welshmen, from the Old English, pre seventh Century words "west", west, plus "mann", man and "cot", a cottage or sheep shelter. The surname itself first appears in records in the early 14th Century, (see below). Margaret Westmoncoat married Newigate luddington at All Saints, Worcestershire on March 25th 1686, while at St. Botolph Bishopsgate London, John, son of John Westmacutt was christened on December 16th 1688. Emma Westmacott married James Miluer at St. Giles Cripplegate, London on April 2nd 1701. John Westmancoat married Elizabeth Fey at St. James Paddington London on January 20th 1822. Interesting, Sir Richard Westmacott (1775-1856)and his son Richard, (1799-1872) of the same stock, were notable sculptors, the former training in rome under Canova, 1793 - 1797. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Elena de Westmecold, which was dated 1327, Subsidy rolls of Worcestershire, during the reign of King Edward 111, "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. 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.