Shuker

This is a surname of early Germanic pre 10th Century origins, although one which has been recorded in its "modern" spelling in England, from at least the late medieval period. It derives from "schuker", an occupational word for either "one who sieved corn" by shaking, or as a nickname for a comedian in a theatrical troupe, one who pulled funny faces! Clearly the name was considered complimentary as a Coat of Arms was granted to Schuker of Bavaria in 1745, being a gold shield quartered with two black imperial eagles and overall a shield of pretense charged with a prancing horse. The Coat of Arms also contains a blazon of another family being three fleur-de-lis in a blue field. The Schuckers of Bavaria are recorded as Barons of the (Holy Roman) Empire. The name recordings in England include the following examples: Elies Sheaker, who was christened at St. John's Church, Hackney, London, on August 11th 1624, and Elizabeth Shuker, who married James Shuker (cousins perhaps?) at Christ Church, Spitalfields, London, on July 25th 1767, in the reign of George 111 (1760 - 1820). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Harry Shuker, which was dated August 28th 1581, marriage to Ann March, at St. Dunstan's, Church, Stepney, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.