Lechmere

This is a locational name from Lashmars Hall in Sussex - a name which derives from the Olde English elements 'laecc' or 'lecc' meaning a stream, and 'mearc' - a boundary. In the modern idiom the surname, which can be translated as 'one dwelling by a stream boundary' has at least six spelling variations including Lashmar, Lashmore, Latchmore, Lechmere etc. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Lechemere. which was dated 1296 in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex. during the reign of King Edward 1, known as the Hammer of the Scots 1272 - 1307. 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.