Dutch

This interesting surname originated from two possible sources. Firstly, it may be a variant of "Duche", itself from "Duchier", which is a French occupational name for a tavern-keeper, from an aphetic form of the old French "conduchier" (from the late Latin word "conducarius", to conduct, manage). Secondly, the name may have originated as a nickname given to immigrant Dutch weavers who were brought into England largely by Edward 111 to teach their craft and expand the English cloth trade, which became the source of so much wealth in the middle ages. They may also have been French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in the late 16th Century (mainly Flemish) and the end of the late 17th Century. John Duch(e) was mentioned in the Court Rolls of Colchester in 1360. John, son of Thomas and Grace Dutche was christened at St. Mary Abbots, Kensington, London on November 30th 1576, while Bridgett Dutch married Robert Hayes at St. Giles Cripplegate, London on November 18th 1599. Jacques and Ester Duche, French Huguenots, had daughters Charlot and Elizabeth christened on July 18th 1686 and February 15th 1691 respectively, at Threadneedle street, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Walter de Deusshe, which was dated 1302, Close Rolls, during the reign of King Edward the 1, 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.