This name is both topographical and can be job descriptive. It means the dweller by and possibly the keeper of the north gate, and is a very early surname. The surname development has included Gillert de Northgate of Ramsey Abbey, Norfolk in 1239, Trikke del Nortgate, 1277 from the City of Wakefield, in Yorkshire and Elvina de Norgate, also recorded at Ramsey Abbey circa 1273. Robert Norgate was the Master of Corpus Christi College, at Cambridge in 1573, whilst his son Edward was clerk to King Charles 1st and Blue Mantle Puirsuivant (Herald), between 1633 and 1641. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Siward de Nordgat, which was dated 1198, in the Pipe Rolls of Kent during the reign of King Richard 1st, known as 'The Lionheart' 1189 - 1199. 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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