Duckett Coat of Arms, Family Crest and Duckett Family History

Duckett Family History

The Duckett ancient family history was found in the irishsurnames.com archives. The name Duckett can have a number of origins. It can be derived from the French 'Ducquet' meaning 'leader' or 'owl', this second derivation describing a person of considerable wisdom. The name can also be derived from the old English word 'ducca', perhaps describing the bird. This ancient name has a wide number of variants including Ducket, Duckitt, Duchet, Douchett, Dockett, Duckete and Duckit. This name is found in many ancient manuscripts. Examples of such are an Adam Doket and a Johannes Doket who were both recorded in the 'Poll Tax' of the West Riding of Yorkshire in the year 1379. A Dulcia Duket was recorded in the 'Hundred Rolls' in the year 1273.

Names were recorded in these ancient documents to make it easier for their overlords to collect taxes and to keep records of the population at any given time. When the overlords acquired land by either force or gifts from their rulers, they created charters of ownership for themselves and their vassals. It was by the method of creating and updating these old reference books that they were able to maintain their authority and enforce laws.

From England the name spread to the rest of Europe and from there to America, Canada, Australia and the new world beyond.The Duckett family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including Duckett descendants.