Tooth

Tooth
There are two probable pre-medieval origins for this unusual name, both being Anglo-Saxon and both being descriptive nicknames. The first from the word "Tot" and relates to an actor who played the part of "death" in the medieval theatres and travelling pageants. The second is a nickname of endearment and was originally "Toto", a word used to describe a Grandfather or Elder of the family. It is also true that in England some name holders were given the nickname "Tooth or Dent" which Stuck as a surname, not because they didn't have teeth but, because they had retained their teeth, in whole or part, in an age when most people were toothless by twenty. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Tothe (Witness). which was dated 1219, The York Assize Court during the reign of King Henry III, The Frenchman, 1216 - 1272. 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.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Tooth — (t[=oo]th), n.; pl. {Teeth} (t[=e]th). [OE. toth,tooth, AS. t[=o][eth]; akin to OFries. t[=o]th, OS. & D. tand, OHG. zang, zan, G. zahn, Icel. t[ o]nn, Sw. & Dan. tand, Goth. tumpus, Lith. dantis, W. dant, L. dens, dentis, Gr. odoy s, odo ntos,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tooth — tooth; tooth·er; tooth·ful; tooth·i·ly; tooth·ing; tooth·less; tooth·let; tooth·pick·er; tooth·some; tooth·some·ly; tooth·some·ness; un·tooth; tooth·less·ly; tooth·less·ness; …   English syllables

  • tooth — W2S2 [tu:θ] n plural teeth [ti:θ] ↑ear, ↑nose, ↑tooth, ↑eye ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(in mouth)¦ 2¦(on a tool etc)¦ 3¦(power)¦ 4 fight tooth and nail 5 get your teeth into something …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tooth — [to͞oth; ] for v., also [ to͞oth] n. pl. teeth [tēth] [ME < OE toth (< * tanth), akin to Ger zahn < IE * edont (< base * ed , to eat) > L dens (gen. dentis), Gr odous (gen. odontos)] 1. a) any of a set of hard, bonelike structures… …   English World dictionary

  • tooth — [ tuθ ] (plural teeth [ tiθ ] ) noun count *** 1. ) any of the hard white objects inside your mouth that you use for biting and for CHEWING food: front/back teeth a loose/missing/broken tooth brush/clean your teeth: It s important to brush your… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Tooth — Tooth, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Toothed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Toothing}.] 1. To furnish with teeth. [1913 Webster] The twin cards toothed with glittering wire. Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 2. To indent; to jag; as, to tooth a saw. [1913 Webster] 3. To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tooth´i|ly — tooth|y «TOO thee», adjective, tooth|i|er, tooth|i|est. 1. showing many teeth prominently: »a toothy smile. 2. having teeth. –tooth´i|ly …   Useful english dictionary

  • tooth|y — «TOO thee», adjective, tooth|i|er, tooth|i|est. 1. showing many teeth prominently: »a toothy smile. 2. having teeth. –tooth´i|ly …   Useful english dictionary

  • tooth — (n.) O.E. toð (plural teð), from P.Gmc. *tanth, *tunth (Cf. O.S., Dan., Swed., Du. tand, O.N. tönn, O.Fris. toth, O.H.G. zand, Ger. Zahn, Goth. tunþus), from PIE *dont /*dent tooth (Cf. Skt. danta, Gk. odontos …   Etymology dictionary

  • tooth — ► NOUN (pl. teeth) 1) each of a set of hard, bony enamel coated structures in the jaws, used for biting and chewing. 2) a projecting part, especially a cog on a gearwheel or a point on a saw or comb. 3) (teeth) genuine force or effectiveness. ●… …   English terms dictionary

  • Tooth — Tooth. См. Зубец. (Источник: «Металлы и сплавы. Справочник.» Под редакцией Ю.П. Солнцева; НПО Профессионал , НПО Мир и семья ; Санкт Петербург, 2003 г.) …   Словарь металлургических терминов

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