Otteridge

Recorded in several spellings including Oteridge, Otteridge, Outeridge, Outteridge, Ottridge, Outright, Uttridge, Utteridge and others, this is an English surname. It is probably locational from a now 'lost' medieval village called 'Otters ridge' or similar, although at least one dictionary of surnames suggests that it is not locational at all, but is a dialectal from the pre 7th century personal name 'Uhtric'. This name meaning 'dawn power', was very popular in ancient times, and is a good example of early names which comprised separate elements. Other examples are Aelfstan, elf-stone, and Saebeorht, sea- bright. Recordings of the surname from early records include the christening of Anne Utteritche at Lavenham, Suffolk, on August 20th 1574; the marriage of Nicholas Utteridge and Grace Neate at St. Leonard's, Colchester, Essex, on September 29th 1650; and the marriage of Susan Uttridge and Bircham Skipper, at East Walton, Norfolk, on October 16th 1774. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Outrich. This was dated 1333, in the Medieval Documents relating to the County of Essex. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.