Percy

This name derives from the Olde French "percer" to pierce or breach and "haie" a hedge or enclosure and was originally given to a soldier, possibly in North France, remembered for his breach of a fortification. The name was brought to England by the Normans in 1066 and is first recorded in the Domesday Book. The name was anglicized as Pearcey, Pearcy, Piercey and Piercy. One, William de Percy (1030-1096) who accompanied William the Conqueror founded a leading Northumbrian family from whom Sir Henry Percy (1364-1403) , known as Harry Hotspur, was descended. He helped place Henry 1V on the throne but later revolted and was killed. A family branch spelling their name Piercy established themselves at Malton in North Yorkshire c.1500 The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph Percehai which was dated 1086, in the "Domesday Book of Berkshire" during the reign of King William 1, known as "The Conqueror" 1066 - 1087 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.