This very unusual name derives from the Olde German, "Wagenshot" and is a job descriptive metonymic for a maker of high quality panel-work and skirting boards. The word is first recorded in England in 1548, whilst Samuel Pepys Diary for September 11th 1660, records (Quote) "I caused the girlie to wash the wainscote of our Parler, which she did well, which caused my wife and I good sport"! The surname origination suggests a possible Huguenot association but this is not proven. The surname recordings include Mary Wainscott who married Henry Loveday at St. Pancras Old Church, London on March 31st 1841 and Thomas Wainscot of Holborn, a witness at St. Andrews Church on August 13th 1843 in the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Dathe Wainscost, which was dated August 21st 1722, married Henry Tomson at St. Dunstans Church, Stepney, during the reign of King George 1, "Hanover George", 1715 - 1727. 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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