Solomon

Recorded in many forms as shown below, this ancient name, widespread in most European countries, is almost certainly of Ashkenazic origin. It derives from the Hebrew male given name "Shelomo", a derivative of "shalom", meaning peace. Salomon was the popular medieval form used in the Vulgate, the 4th Century version of the Bible. Solomon is the form used in the Geneva Bible and the Authorized Version. The personal name was widespread among Christians in the Middle Ages, and was also used as a nickname for a particularly wise man or for someone who had played the part of King Solomon in a miracle play. The surname can also be found in the forms Salaman, Salomon, Salman, Salmond, Sammon and Sammonds. The personal name appears as "Salomon" in Yorkshire, in the Domesday Book of 1086. Robert Salemon was listed in the Feet of Fines of Lancashire in 1212, and Hugo filius (son of) Salman appears in the Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219. The Calendar of Early Mayor's Court Rolls lists Richard Salamon in 1301. Thomas Solomon was christened at the Church of St. Ann Blackfriars, London, on November 24th 1602. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Salmon, which was dated 1210, in the "Curia Rolls of Bedfordshire", during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. 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.