Scotcher

This interesting surname recorded in the spellings of Scotcher, Skotcher, Scatcher, Scatchard, and other forms, is of Norman-French origins. Deriving from the pre 10th century word "escache" meaning stilt, and introduced into England after the 1066 Invasion, the later surname was usually an occupational name either for a maker of stilts, or possibly one who wore stilts as part of his job, or a nickname for a tall thin person, with long legs! The original recordings were from the East Anglia region, stilts being used to cross the fenlands. They were widely used by wild fowlers and fishermen, in the shallow waters of the region. Job-descriptive surnames were not at first anymore hereditary than the job itself, and whilst the development of surnames dates from the 12th century, it was often much later in remote areas. Amongst the earliest recordings were Thomas Scotchar of Kent in 1337, and William Skatchade of Stafford in 1381. Recordings taken from church registers include the christening of Anne Scotcher, on December 19th 1541, at St. Mary Magdalene, Old Fish Street, London, and the christening of Alice Skotcher, on March 5th 1597, at St. Stephens church, Coleman Street, London. The blazon of the coat of arms is a silver field, a blue bend between two red engrailed bendlets. The crest is a gold bezant on a green hillock. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Skacher, which was dated 1327, in the Subsidy Rolls of the county of Suffolk, England, during the reign of King Edward 111, known as 'The Father of the Navy', 1327 - 1377. 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.