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Gotts Surname Family History
Henry Gottes
We already know that Henry Gottes was the Rector of Clippesby from 1361 to 1390. He turns up in the Feudal Aids (effectively taxes for the king) in 1362, though in different circumstances:
"Feb. 13. Commission of oyer and terminer to Robert de Thorpe, Ralph de Hemenhale, John Knyv Westminster, and William de Wychyngham, on complaint by Reynold de Eccles justice of the peace in the county of Norfolk, that Thomas de Pikeryng, William Knol, Robert Quylter, Edmund de Pykeryng, John, his brother, Henry Gottes, chaplain, John (Henry’s servant), and others, at Clypesby, Co. Norfolk, carried away his goods, threatened him with strung bows and arrows, drawn to the heads with instant death, he resisted, and assaulted his servant Richard de Martham when he would have rescued his master. By K
For 20s. paid in the hanaper.(to Richard Martham)"
(Transcript is from University of Iowa, Calendar of Patent Rolls for Edward III vol 12)
1400 onwards
As we move into the 1400s and 1500s there are more records available:
- John GOTTYS, of ECCLES juxta mares,(Norfolk), will proved in 1429, NORWICH CC WILLS, 48 SURFLETE, (Norfolk Record Soc Vol xvi Pt1: Will proved at Norwich CC)
- Thomas GOTTYS, of Norfolk. Charter of lands. Thomas Gottys, prior of the hospital and priory of St Marie of Flitcham, Richard Bolter and Reginald Brown to Galfrid Hale. 30 Dec 1498 FLT 1/271 Norwich Record Office
- Thomas GOTTS, of WALSINGHAM MAGNA, will proved in 1502, NORWICH CC WILLS, 158 POPY
- The name ‘Richard GOTTS’ is inscribed on the font cover at St George’s church in South Acre in Norfolk. His will in 1535 shows him as Rector of South Lynn (Richard Gotts).
A small number of wills for Gottes and Gotts in North Norfolk through 1700’s are contained in the Norfolk Register Office. A few are listed as GOTT, but several of these are easily identifiable as someone called Gotts who has been incorrectly recorded.
Earliest known occurrences of the name - part 3
- 1362 Henry GOTTES in Feudal Aids
- 1390 Henry GOTTES of CLYESBY (Clippesby), (NORWICH CC WILLS)