Pactat - what does Pactat surname mean?

This very unusual name is apparently a 19th Century variant of the Old French patronymic `Pachquotte`, which comprises the elements `Pack`, originally a metonymic (nickname) for a pack horse driver, plus a shortened form of `petit` to imply `son of Pack or little Pack`. The name is also found in England as `Packett`, the source and origin being the early medieval period after the Norman Conquest of 1066. In France the name is also found as Pacquet, Paguet or Pack, whilst in 1692, Jean Pacterot was christened at Melay, in Hautemarne to provide another variant. In England John Pacquet, a huguenot, was recorded at Westminster in 1699, whilst in 1616, a Jacob Packett who was also believed to be huguenot was recorded at St. Bartholomew, and a Mary Pacter at St. Dunstans Church, Stepney in 1619. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hilaire Pactat, which was dated circa 1782 (born), Meillant, Cher, France, during the reign of King Louis X1V, of France 1774 - 1792. 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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