This interesting surname, of English origin, with variant spellings Medlicott, and Medlycott, is a locational name from Medlicott in Shropshire, deriving from the Old Scandinavian "methal" meaning "middle" plus the Olde English pre 7th Century "eg" island, plus the Olde English "cot" meaning "cottage", hence "cottage on the middle island". The surname dates back to the mid 13th Century (see below). Further recordings include one Richard de Middlecote (1273), the Hundred Rolls of Devonshire. Church Recordings include one Johannes, son of Johnis Medlicott, who was christened on April 22nd 1554, at Pontesbury, Shropshire, Jacobus, son of Richi Medlicott, who was christened on February 4th 1565, also in Pontesbury. John Medlicott was christened on September 14th 1589, at St. Thomas the Apostle, London, and Jonathan Medlicott was christened on October 16th 1597, at All Hallows the Less, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Lewelin de Medlincot, which was dated 1255, in the "Hundred Rolls of Shropshire", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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.