Sculpher

This unusual name seems to be of continental origin but this is not apparently the case. "Sculpher" is a dialectual derivative of the Olde English topographical "Scela-forda" meaning "The dweller at the hut by the Ford" from the pre 7th Century, and found in late medieval times as "Sculford". The modern name development and recordings include Frances Sculpher who married Robert Chiney at St. Katherines by the Tower in 1752 and Eleanor Sculfor (The link spelling with the original Sculford) christened at St. Leonards, Shoreditch in 1816, the Kent variant being George Sculfor who was christened at St. Mary Magdalene, Woolwich on April 25th 1845. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Elizabeth Sculpher, which was dated 1748, christened at St. Giles Cripplegate, London, during the reign of King George II, "The last Warrior King", 1727 - 1760. 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.