Freckingham

This interesting and unusual name is of English locational origin from a place called "Freckenham", in Suffolk, recorded "Frekeham" in 895, in the Cartularium Saxonicum, "Frakenaham" in the Domesday Book in 1086, and "Frekenham" in the Feet of Fines in 1225. The placename itself derives from the Old English pre seventh Century personal name "Freca" derived from the Old English word "frec", "fraec", bold, plus "-in(g)", the people of, and "-ham", homestead, settlement, hence the settlement of the people of Freca". The surname itself first appears in records in the late 16th Century, (see below). Robert Freekingham was christened at Bottesford, Leicestershire on October 5th 1577, while at Redmile, also in leicestershire, Isabell daughter of Nycolas Freckingham was christened on September 17th 1580. Thomas, son of Hugh Freckingham was christened at Bottesford on April 27th 1583, while William, son of Robert Freckingham was christened there also on March 20th 1601. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hughe Freckingham married Anne Todd, which was dated October 26th 1576, at Bottesford, Leicestershire, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.