This name is a puzzle. We consider that there are two possible origins, the first being a variant spelling of the Huguenot 'Charlot' - meaning 'the son of Charles' - a heraldic name from Picardy and recorded in Edinburgh after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. The second is as a dialectual corruption of the medieval 'Gaelec' - a seller of Garlick and an early surname in England. Name corruptions are always difficult and this is no exception. Gilbert Garlek (Garlick Merchant) was recorded in Suffolk in 1277 at the Abbey of Ely. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jean Charlot (Cambric Manufacturer) which was dated C.1690 Picardy Place, Edinburgh during the reign of King William 111 of England 1689-1703 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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