Toe

Toe
This is a genuine Olde English nickname, which from its original popularity has developed into a surname of many spelling forms, such as Tow(e), Toe, Tows(e), Tuff and Tough. It derives from the pre 7th century 'toh' and describes either someone who was literally tough, vigorous, and stubborn, probably a favoured warrior, or who lived at a 'tulach', a steep knoll. Certainly from the earliest times the name was well recorded and in Scotland gave rise to the clan known as 'Tough and all that Ilk', originally from Aberdeenshire. The earliest recordings are however from England and some of them certainly suggest that the nameholders lived upto their name! These include Alicia la Towe in Worcester in 1275, and Nicholas le Toghe in the Hundred Rolls of Kent, also for 1275. The first Scottish recording would seem to be that of Henry Toulch, the sheriff of 'Abirdene' in 1361, and Sande Towcht, who apparently lived upto his name as he was arrested for 'scrabbling others'. Later recordings include Thomas Towe of Westminster on May 10th 1551, Sarah Tow christened at St Andrews Church, London on February 18th 1581, Jane Toogg of Stepney on May 1st 1587, Johannes Tuff at St Martins in the Field, westminster on January 6th 1628, Thomas Tough at St Brides Church, Fleet Street, on November 23rd 1652, and Sexty Broadfield Towse, christened at St Botolphs Bishopgate, London, on August 30th 1753. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rober Towe, which was dated 1275, in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as 'The hammer of the Scots', 1272 - 1307. 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.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Toe — Toe, n. [OE. too, taa, AS. t[=a]; akin to D. teen, G. zehe, OHG. z[=e]ha, Icel. t[=a], Sw. t[*a], Dan. taa; of uncertain origin. [root]60.] 1. (Anat.) One of the terminal members, or digits, of the foot of a man or an animal. Each one, tripping… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • toe — [tō] n. [ME to < OE ta, earlier tahe, akin to Ger zehe < IE base * deik̑ , to show > TEACH, L dicere, to say, digitus] 1. a) any of the five jointed parts at the front of the human foot; digit b) the forepart of the human foot c) the… …   English World dictionary

  • Toe — Toe, v. i. To hold or carry the toes (in a certain way). [1913 Webster] {To toe in}, to stand or carry the feet in such a way that the toes of either foot incline toward the other. {To toe out}, to have the toes of each foot, in standing or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Toe — Toe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Toed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Toeing}.] To touch or reach with the toes; to come fully up to; as, to toe the mark. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • toe — UK US /təʊ/ verb [T] ● toe the line Cf. toe the line …   Financial and business terms

  • toe — ► NOUN 1) any of the five digits at the end of the foot. 2) the lower end, tip, or point of something. ► VERB (toes, toed, toeing) ▪ push, touch, or kick with one s toes. ● make someone s toes curl …   English terms dictionary

  • toe-in — toe′ in n. aum the slight forward convergence given to the front wheels of an automobile to improve steering qualities • Etymology: 1925–30 …   From formal English to slang

  • toe-in — [tō′in΄] n. nearly parallel alignment of the front wheels of a motor vehicle such that the front edges are slightly closer together and so provide necessary tension on the steering linkage …   English World dictionary

  • Toe — This article is about the body part. For other uses, see Toe (disambiguation). Ring toe redirects here. For the ring designed to be worn on a toe, see Toe ring. Toes Toes on the foot. The innermost toe (bottom left in image), which is normally… …   Wikipedia

  • toe — /toʊ / (say toh) noun 1. (in humans) one of the terminal members or digits of the foot. 2. an analogous part in other animals. 3. the forepart of the foot or hoof of a horse or the like. 4. a part, as of a stocking or shoe, to cover the toes. 5.… …  

  • toe — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ big ▪ The shoe pressed painfully against her big toe. ▪ little, pinky (AmE) ▪ bare ▪ Under his bare toes the …   Collocations dictionary

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