Eastridge

This interesting surname of English origin is a locational name from the minor hamlets i.e., Eastridge in Wiltshire and Sussex, deriving from the Old English pre 7th Century "east", meaning "east" plus "hrycg" "ridge", hence "the east ridge". In some instances the surname may be a dialectal variant of the locational name Eastbridge in Kent, deriving from the Old English "east" plus "brycg" meaning "bridge", hence "the eastern bridge". The surname dates back to the early 17th Century, (see below). Church recordings include one Michaell Eastridge who married Katherine Smith on February 7th 1616 at St. Margaret's, Westminster, and Johes Eastridge who married Maria White on June 24th 1623 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster. Thomas, son of Richard and Katherine Eastridge was christened on September 2nd 1627 at St. Botolph's, Bishopsgate, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margaret Eastridge, (marriage to Jame Bakster), which was dated 1608, St. Dunstan's, Stepney, London, during the reign of King James 1st of England and V1 of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. 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.