Shawyer

This unusual name is Olde English and pre 7th Century. It is a form of descriptive nickname which was development from "Scufan" and apparently given to a Soldier, or Official or perhaps even to one of a trusting and "Pushy" nature. The name development has included Joyane Shower who in 1576 married a Richard Taylor at St. Margrets, Westminster, Joan Shawer who married Richard Neworke at St. Brides, Fleet Street in 1643, whilst in 1826, Elizabeth Shawyer married Henry Thurliing at St. Mary"s Church, Lewisham, Kent. The modern name spellings are Shower, Showers, Shawyer and Shawyers, although the reason for the later developments is obscure. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard le Shovere. which was dated 1297, in the Accounts of the Duchy of Cornwall. 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.