This is a genuine French Huguenot name which has retained it's near original spelling of "Maingaut". Although french, the true origin is early pre 10th Century german. The name consist's of the elements "magin" (strength) and Gaut a tribal name, a derivative of Gaul. There are several modern variant spellings including Mangaut, Maingaud, Mangold etc., whilst early recordings in England include Jaques Maingot who was christened at the French Huguenot Church, Spitalfields, London (known as 'The Artillery') on May 6th 1722, and another Jacques Maingot, the son of the above who was christened on July 17th 1747, at the Huguenot Church, Threadneedle Street, London. The name is recorded heraldically from the Poitou Region, as Maingot de Surgers, the coat of arms being Erminois on a red field denoting nobility. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Daniel Maingett, which was dated August 29th 1715, a witness at the French Huguenot Church, Threadneedle Street, London. during the reign of King George 1, "Hanover George", 1715 - 1727. 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.