I have no connection with this name but does anyone know the origin. I would be interested to know. Heather

Heather asked:- > I have no connection with this name but does anyone know the > origin. I would be interested to know. I have a vague memory of reading about this somewhere. IIRC, in the distant and barbaric past it was the practice to drive a stake through the foot of a servant (or slave?) who tried to escape to a better life. The name Puddifoot derives somehow from this. Although Google turned up the odd Puddephatt genealogy, none of the writers gave any indication of the origin. Never mind - I'm sure the incredibly well-informed Eve will come up with a definitive answer in due course. Mike