English
The surname 'Padgett' is of English origin. It is derived from a diminutive of the name 'Page', in itself derived from the occupational name for a young servant, from the Middle English, Old Flemish word 'page' (from the Italian word 'paggio', apparently ultimately from the Greek word 'paidion', a diminutive of 'pais' meaning boy, child). The surname is also common in Ireland, where it has been Gaelicized as 'Mac Giolla'. Public and Civil registry archive's confirm that the surname 'Padgett' and or it's variant's, date as far back as the fourteenth century were a 'Johanes Paget', a tailor by trade, from the county of Yorkshire is recorded on poll tax records in 1379. Historical archive's have been unable to definitely determine the exact period of settlement in North America but It is believed that the forefather's of this surname were part of the exodus of migrants that followed the Treaty of Peace signed in Paris in 1763, when great Britain obtained ownership of the whole of North America east of the Missisipi River excepting New Orleans. The chief reasons causing working class people to emigrate were, poor crop yields, high unemployment, and the misconception that America was a land of golden opportunity. It is has been estimated that after 1769 some 20,000 persons a year migrated to the Americas from the British Isles.Today, 'Padgett' is the 'One thousand one hundred and thirtieth' most common surname in North America.