There is some confusion over the origin of this name which has been transposed. Our research suggests that the development is from the Olde English 'Beormet' - a word meaning 'the dweller at the enclosure cleared by burning - and most normally found as Barnett or Burnett, but subject to many variations. These include Bernet (c.1200 Sussex), Bernette (1296 Sussex), Barncott (c.1550 London) etc. The name in the latter spelling being one of the earliest recorded in the Americas, the name holder being a passenger on the ship 'Truelove de London' to Barbadoes. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Syman Barcott (aged 16) which was dated June 10th 1635 Gravesend, Port of London during the reign of King Charles 1 The Martyr 1625 - 1649. 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.