This most interesting surname is of Old French origin, and may derive from three possible origins. Firstly, it may be a topographical name for a dweller by a water channel, from the Old French word "conduit", Middle English "condit, cundit", which was originally an artificial channel or pipe for conveying water, and later was the term applied to a structure from which water was distributed, a fountain or pump. The name may also be of locational origin, from any of the places in France called "Conde" (Nord, Oise, Orne). Finally, the surname may be a variant of "Condet", a Provencal diminutive from the Old French "conte, cunte", a count, which was a nickname from the Norman title of rank. One Aliz de Condi was recorded in 1185 in Lincolnshire in the Records of the Templars in 12th Century England, and Robert atte Conduyt was mentioned in the Assize Court Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1340. In Kent, Margerye Cunditt was christened on October 31st 1563 at St. Alphage's, Canterbury, while Ann, daughter of William Condit was christened on December 26th 1594 at St. Katherine by the Tower, in London. Jean Francois Condete was born on December 28th 1732 at Bourthes, Pas-de-Calais, in France. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger de Cundi, which was dated circa 1150, in the "Cartularium of the Abbey of Rievaulx", during the reign of King Stephen, known as "Count of Blois", 1135 - 1154. 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.