Fifoot - Name

This is amongst the rarest and most unusual of all British surnames. It derives from the medieval nickname of 'Five Feet' - the reasoning for which almost defies description. It clearly does not refer to height, as the average male height was five feet and almost certainly means a person of athletic performance, one who could jump five feet or had a long stride. The name development includes Tana Fifoote who was baptised in London in 1640, William Fivefoot who married in 1752 and Elizabeth Fifoot who was married at St. Annes, Soho, in 1806. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Ffyvefeet. which was dated 1413 The Kings Close Rolls, London. during the reign of King Henry IV 'The First Lancastrian' 1400-1413. 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.