Fittes

This rare and interesting name is of English origin and is an old form of the locational name "Fitz", from a place so called in Shropshire, which was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Witesot", in the Pipe Rolls of 1194 as "Fittesho", and in the Charter Rolls of 1285 as "Fittes". The derivation of the first element may be from an Olde English pre 7th Century personal name, "Fita", or it may come from the Olde English "Fitt", to fight, and the second from the Olde English "hoh", a spur of land. In the early recordings in London is the marriage of Anthony Fittes and Margaret Greene on February 10th 1623 at St. Giles, Cripplegate, and in Warwickshire, the christening of Mary Fittes, daughter of William and Sarah Fittes on March 28th 1824 at Brinklow. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alexander Fittes, which was dated October 17th 1615, christened at St. Michael's, Wood Street, London, during the reign of King James 1 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.