This unusual and intriguing name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a rare variant of the locational surname "Northcott", which derives from any of the various minor places so called, such as Northcott, and Northcote in Devonshire, and Norcott in Hertfordshire. The placename derives from the Old English pre 7th Century "north", north with "cot", cottage, shelter, sometimes a shelter for animals and in some cases the modern surname may derive from a topographical name given in the first instance to someone who lived by or at "the north cottage". The development of the surname includes William de Nordcote (1205, Gloucestershire), and John atte Northcote (1296, Sussex). The modern surname from this source has a number of spelling variations, including Northcote, Northcott, Norcott, Norkett, Norkutt, Nork, Norke, and Norker. One Judith Norke married William Ward at All Hallows, London Wall, on February 7th 1596, and William, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Norker, was christened at St. Peter's, Liverpool on March 30th 1862. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Nicholas de Northicote (witness), which was dated 1199, The Staffordshire Assize Rolls, during the reign of King Richard 1, "Richard 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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