Recorded as Targe, Target, Targett, Targit, and Targetter, this is an Anglo-French surname. It derives from the pre 7th century French word "targe" which originally described a round shield. Introduced into England after the Noram Invasion of 1066, the surname probably describes either a maker of shields as Targetter, or possibly a person who lived by the targets set up on an archery range, or who was responsible for maintaining such a range. For many centuries the laws of England required that all able bodied mean between the ages of fifteen and sixty five practise their archery, mainly with the long bow for two hours every Sunday morning. The oldest known sporting event in the world is the Scorton Arrow, from the village of Scorton in North Yorkshire. This event is still staged for every year. Early examples of the surname recording include Marion Targett married John Trubridg on May 12th 1606 at Tisbury, in the county of Wiltshire, and Ann, daughter of John Target, was christened at Tisbury, Wiltshire. Issack Targett married Luciam Peeters on November 1st 1663 at St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ferchar Machentagar, which was dated 1215, knighted by Alexander 11, during the reign of King Alexander 11, King of Scotland, 1214 - 1249. 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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