This interesting surname of English origin is a double diminutive of Pim, from the medieval female given name Pymme, Pimme, vernacular short forms of Euphemia, a greek name composed of the elements "eu" meaning "well" plus "phenai" "to speak" i.e. to avoid words of ill omen. The name was adopted by early Christians in the sense "praise of God" or "good repute", and was borne by a 4th Century virgin martyr burnt at the stake in Chalcedon. The surname dates back to the mid 16th Century (see below). Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Pimblott, Pimlett, Pimlott etc.. One Thomas Pemlett married Ellinor Richardson on October 14th 1649 at St. Peter, Cornhill, London. John, son of William and Joyce Pimlett, was christened on July 10th 1673 at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London and Susan, their daughter was christened on March 9th 1678 also at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London. James, son of Danniel and Elizabeth Pimblett, was christened on September 6th 1781 at Lying in Hospital, Endell St., London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Mergret Pymlot, which was dated 1561, in the "Register of the Prestbury, Cheshire", during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.