Sargent Family History

English: status or occupational name from Middle English sergeaunt ‘servant’ (Old French sergent serjant). The surname probably originated for the most part in this sense but the word also developed a number of more specialized meanings in the medieval period including ‘tenant by military service below the rank of knight’.

It was also used for a variety of administrative and legal offices which may have contributed to the development of the surname. The sense ‘non-commissioned officer’ did not arise until the 16th century.

Compare Sergent.