This rare and interesting name is of French origin and is the Anglicization of Mot(t)et, the diminutive ('little' or 'son of') form of Motte, which is either a topographical name for someone living by a fortified stronghold, from the Old French 'motte', referring originally to a hillock and latterly a moat, or a locational name from any of the places in France named with this word. The name was first introduced into Britain in the late 17th Century with the influx of French Huguenot exiles who suffered religious persecution in their native land and sought refuge in Britain, where the names remain to this day distinct. Amongst the sample recordings in London is the marriage of Thomas Muttitt and Mary Ann Ambrose on August 5th 1844 at Old Church, St. Pancras. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Judith Motet, christening, which was dated October 1st 1693, The French Huguenot Church, Threadneedle Street, London, during the reign of King William 111 of Orange and England, 1689-1702. 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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