Origin of the name Léchot
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Here is what Marius Fallet wrote at the beginning of his booklet entitled
"Leschot and their origin from Franche-Comté". The oldest mentioning of Leschot in the canton Neuchâtel concerns Perrin, son of Othenin Leschot from Damprichard in the Franche-Comté (France). Undoubtedly, the Leschots in the canton of Neuchâtel and in the area of Ergüel (Switzerland) have an origin from Franche-Comté. Richard Leschot, son of Perrin was already established at La Chaux-de-Fonds in the first half of the XVIthe century. All branches and generations from Leschot seem to descend from Perrin, Richard, Perrins son and Henry, Perrins grandson. All generations followed them one after another in the canton of Neuchâtel in Ergüel and still elsewhere. However in 1476, the French were beaten in "Morat-Grandson." Many Scotish soldiers have been in the French Army willing to fight against the British. We know that the army of Charles the Bold was folded up into Franche-Comté after the defeat. We thus suppose that a Scotsman (Le Scot, -> Lescot, -> Leschot) active in the French Army would have lived in Damprichard, found a beautiful girl nearby and had therefore founded a family there. Othenin Leschot, living in Damprichard would then be the husband and the first known Leschot. October 15th, 1510, Perrin Leschot, their son, buys at the bank of the river Doubs a ground located close to the "Maison Monsieur" a hotel-restaurant still existing today. Lateron the family was found in Valanvron close to La Chaux-de-Fonds. It is at this time that Leschot was set free by Monseigneur de Longueville Seigneur from Valangin. The family thus becomes citizen of La Chaux-de-Fonds. |
