Utting

This unusual name, chiefly found in Norfolk, derives from the Olde English pre 7th century personal name Utting, a patronymic from Utta. The precise meaning of Utta is not known, but it is probably akin to the Saxon Otta, meaning 'riches'. One Willelmus filius (son of) Uttingi is recorded in the 1183 'Boldon Book' of Durham the surname (in its Latinized form) is recorded in this year also (see below). A Tomas Vtting appears in the 1191 Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire (note substitution of 'V' for 'U'). The spelling Uttying is entered in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdon (1273) and an Amicia Vttyng-wyf (i.e. the wife of Utting) appears in the 1379 Poll Tax Records of Yorkshire. One John Uttyng was rector of Bridgeham St. Mary, Norfolk in 1448 and on February 9th 1549, the marriage of Cecilia Utting and Georgius Coldam is recorded in Swanton Morley (Norfolk). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Croket Uttingus which was dated 1183 The Boldon Book of Durham. during the reign of King Henry II 'The Builder of Churches' 1154-1189 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.