SURNAMES as we know them today were first assumed in Europe from the 11th to the 15th Century. They were not in use in England or in Scotland before the Norman Conquest, and were first found in the Domesday Book. The employment in the use of a second name was a custom that was first introduced from the Normans. They themselves had not long before adopted them. It became, in course of time, a mark of gentler blood, and it was deemed a disgrace for gentlemen to have but one single name, as the meaner sort had. It was not until the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) it became general practice amongst all people. ALTHAM was a locational name 'of Altham' in Whalley, County Lancashire. The name was derived from the Old English word 'eleftu' and meant the dweller near the place inhabited by swans. Local names denoted where a man held his land and indicated where he actually lived. Early records of the name mention Elvetham (without surname) 1150, County Lancashire. Whitaker Alvetham was documented in the year 1242, in the County of Essex. Edward Altham of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. When the coast of England was invaded by William The Conqueror in the year 1066, the Normans brought with them a store of French personal names, which soon, more or less, entirely replaced the traditional more varied Old English personal names, at least among the upper and middle classes. A century of so later, given names of the principal saints of the Christian church began to be used. It is from these two types of given name that the majority of the English patronymic surnames are derived and used to this day. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. Registered in London and Essex. |
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