Keyzor

This very unusual name is an English variant of the Germanic name "Kaiser", itself derived from the latin imperial title "Caesar", which was originally a family name, "Cesare". Folk etymology in classical times associated the name with the latin "Caesaries", head of hair, but the orgin is probably Etmscan and an early Italian version of "Charles". Since Julias Caesar, the word has been adopted as a generic title for imperial rulers. The surname was probably used first as a nickname, perhaps for someone with an imperious manner, or it may have referred to someone who had played the part of an emperor in a play or pageant. The modern English surname can be spelt "Keyzor", "Kayzor", "Kayser", "Cayzer", "Keyser" or "Keysor". The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry le Caisere. which was dated 1172, in the "Warwickshire Pipe Rolls". during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 - 1189. 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.