This rare name has undergone some changes from it's probable origins, as the name of a now "lost" medieval village. It's origination is certainly English and there can be no argument that it is habitional, the second element being derived from the noun "cott" meaning "a place". It can be translated as cottage, but more likely in it's original form described a stable or shelter for animals. The prefix is probably a developed form of "har" describing a marshy area or "ora" - a slope or bank. It is probable that a village or hamlet called "har-cott or ora-cott" once existed, but if so we have not been able to identify the site. The few name recordings include William Orcott, christened at the church of St. Katherines by the Tower, London on December 8th 1695. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Horichett, which was dated February 2nd 1607, married Margaret Bulbrige at St. Peters, London. during the reign of King James 1 of England and V1 of Scotland 1603 - 1625. 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.