The Mazengarb family were Huguenots, French protestants who were persecuted in France during the 16th century. In 1598 Henry IV of France (himself formerly a Huguenot) granted them toleration under the Edict of Nantes. Louis XIV revoked the edict in 1685, attempting their forcible conversion, and 400,000 emigrated, about 40,000 to Britain.

There was a settlement of Mazengarbs in the Ely area of Cambridgeshire and a settlement in the Wigborough area in Essex.

The family are known to have lived in Copt Hall, Little Wigborough which in 1691 was leased to Isaac Massingarb, yeoman at £140 per annum. They appear to have been wealthy patrons of the adjacent church as Mazengarb memorials can still be seen inside and outside of the church.