Fencott

Fencott is a surname of English origin. It is considered to be a locational surname, derived from a place name. The precise location from which the surname originates is not universally agreed upon, and there are a few possibilities suggested by etymologists.

One possibility is that it originates from a now-lost place in Lincolnshire. Place names ending in "-cott" often signify a small dwelling, cottage, or subsidiary settlement. The "Fen-" prefix would indicate a location in or near a fen, a type of wetland. Thus, Fencott could have meant "cottage in the fen."

Another theory connects the surname to the village of Fewcott in Oxfordshire, England. While the spelling differs slightly, surnames often underwent variations in spelling over time. Fewcott itself is thought to mean "Fewa's cottage" or "cottage of Fewa," Fewa being a personal name.

Regardless of the precise origin, the surname Fencott likely arose when individuals migrated from their place of origin and were identified by their place of residence. Over generations, the name became hereditary. Records of the surname Fencott can be found in historical documents such as parish registers and census records, primarily in England. The frequency of the surname is relatively low, suggesting it was never a particularly common name.