Recorded as Sennett, Sennitt, Sinnat, Sinnatt, Sinnath, Sineath, Sinnett, Sinnott, Synnot, and others, this is a surname of English origin, and yet is more widespread in Ireland and sometimes Scotland, where it was Gaelicized as "Sionoid". The name derives from the pre 7th century personal name "Sigenoth" means "victory-brave" from the elements "sige", victory and "noth", brave. The personal name appears as Synodus circa in the Feudal Documents from the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, in 1095. In Ireland the name has been prominent in County Wexford since the 13th Century (see below). They have often been referred to as the most numerous of Anglo-Norman families in Wexford after the Invasion of 1170 and until the advent of Oliver Cromwell, possessed extensive estates and held important public offices due to their constant loyalty to the Crown. Early recordings include Stephen Sinot in the Hundred Rolls of Suffolk in 1275 whilst David Synnot was governor of Wexford and was killed in its defence during the siege of 1649. Two Synnott's were officers in the army of King James 11nd in 1690. The first recorded spelling of the family name is that of John Synod, and dated 1247, in the barony of Forth, Scotland. 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.