Pilsworth

This is an Olde English locational name from a now "lost" village in the Manchester Area or from residence at "Pils wood". "Pil" or "Pyll" was pre 7th Century personal name which probably means "a Pool or Creek" although it may be a shortened form of the tribal name "Pil-heard", found in the Midlands and North of England. The name development incudes 1577, William Pilsworth of London, whilst in 1603, Jane Pilsworth of Eccles, Manchester is recorded in the Cheshire County Wills Register. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Pyllysworth which was dated 1548, married Ellen Polkynhorne, by Licence in London. during the reign of King Herny VIII, "Good King Hal", 1510 - 1548. 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.