This unusual name is quite well recorded particularly in the London area, from at least medieval times. The origin is probably from the old Norse-Viking "Snarr", meaning one who dwells by the brushwood, or it maybe a nickname surname also of old Norse origins (from Snari) - a swift runner or messenger. It has also been suggested that the derivation is from the old English "Sneap or Sneath", and this is possible, however the meaning is the same as for "Snarr". The examples of the name recording include Thomas Snart who married Alice Hayslewood at the church of St. Katherine by the Tower, London on April 27th 1630, whilst the variant spelling of Snartt first appears on January 24th 1650 when Richard Snartt was a christening witness at St. Olaves, Southwark, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Sibell Snarte, which was dated September 1st 1583, married Robert Revell at the church of St. Dunstans in the East London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "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.

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