Cutforth

Tthis unusual surname associated prominently with the late Renee Cutforth, is almost certainly English and locational. It is recorded in several spellings, although rarely in any great numbers. These spellings include Cutford, Cutforde, Cutforth, Cutsforth, and Cothford, this latter form probably being the closest indication of the origination. We believe that the surname derives from a 'lost' medieval village probably called 'Cotforth' or similar, and translating as the 'cottage or farm by a ford'. However as no such place seems to be recorded in the records of the Medieval Village Research Group, an element of doubt remains. It is known that at least five thousand current British and Irish surnames originate from locations of which the only reminder is the modern surname, so there seems no logical reason why this surname should not form one of the group. The fact that the surname is also recorded in a number of spellings, is often an indication that no place name existed, against which registrars in the past could have checked the surname spelling. Early examples of the surname recording include Richard Cothford who married Martha Smith at St Giles Cripplegate, London, on January 12th 1630, William Cutfords, who married Jone Burnley at St Pauls, Benets Wharf, London, on December 13th 1655. Later examples are those of James Cutforth, a witness at the famous church of St Mary Le Bone, London, on March 14th 1798, and Susanna Cutsforth who married George Edwards at St Mary Spittalgate, London, on November 22nd 1847. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jone Cutford, which was dated December 1st 1626, married at St Andrews by the Wardrobe, London, during the reign of King Charles 1st, known as 'The Martyr', 1625 - 1649. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.