Hutchcraft

This is a variant spelling of the medieval topographical surname Hitchcroft, 'The Farm (croft) of Richard' Hitch or Hick being the post - Norman nickname form of the Olde Saxon personal name. Since it is possible for history to make any change, it has also to be considered that Hutchcraft is a variant of Hitchcock (the son of Hitch). The name recordings are rare, the first recorded holder being the son of James and Elizabeth Hutchcraft. The next comparable recording being in Cambridge when a William Hutchcraft married Sarah Carter at St. Clements Church, on March 25th 1783. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of James Hutchcraft, which was dated 1721, christened at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London, during the reign of King George I, 'Hanover George', 1715 - 1727. 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.