This very interesting and unusual name was originally considered to be locational and derived from Kitts - Cottage, with Kitt or Kit being a derivation of the Olde English "Cyte" - a pre 8th century personal name which means "The Kite Bird". A secondary possible origin being the pet form of Christopher, a name introduced from the Holy Land after the Crusades. However recent research also indicates a Northumberland origin and literally deriving from "The Cat" and as the name was also found in Dorset as "Puss" in 1817 and as "Kitcat" in 1870, this would seem to be the development. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Pusecat. which was dated 1256, killed at the Battle of Corbridge. during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman" 1216 - 1272 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.

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