Shortly after the Norman conquest of England (when the Domesday census was taken) the surname Prescott was used/adopted for the first time by many Angles/Saxons and native Britons alike. One whom worked the metal press would oft adopt the moniker of Pres/ton if they lived in an urban centre and similarly Pres/cott was used in rural (cottage) areas. A similar birth/derivation of the surname was its adoption by rural presbyter's of the time ie. they were housed in a cottage on church grounds.
(Sent from: Stephen Martin Prescott)
