This interesting surname, dating from the late 12th Century, derives from the old French word "tresgiet" or "treget", and the middle English "treget" or "trigit", which could mean a "juggler", but at this period is more likely to describe people who were known for their "jugglery" of affairs, activities etc., as well as a tricky person or a person known for deceit. Early recordings of the surname include one Robert Treget mentioned in the Poll Tax records for Herefordshire, Roger Treget (The Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk 1327) and "John Tredgett" (The Hearth Tax Returns for Suffolk 1674). The later middle English word "tregetour" or "trigettur", describes a court juggler a person who sold quack medicines in public places, or a "charlatan". One Robert le Tregettur is recorded in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1203 and a Symon le Tregetor is mentioned in the Hundred Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1279. Philip Tredgett, son of Titus, was christened at Great Yeldham in Essex on September 8th 1616 and his daughter Mary was christened there on October 22nd 1620. In 1640 on September 21st Rebecka Tredget, daughter of William was christened at Great Yeldham. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de Treget, which was dated 1179, The Pipe Rolls of Hertfordshire, during the reign of King Henry 11, "The Builder of Churches", 1154 - 1189. 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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