Although there is debate about the exact emergence of the eaux spelling in the United States, it has been claimed that the spelling originated from immigrants who did not speak or read English having to make an X mark at the end of their printed name in order to sign a legal document.
The origin of the "eaux" spelling in the United States is debated, but it has been suggested that it arose from immigrants who did not speak or read English needing to make an X mark at the end of their printed name on legal documents.