Singyard

The ancient French word "Seignour" meaning "the Lord" is the origin of this modern spelling, a spelling which itself indicates that surnames are still continuing to evolve. The original meaning was probably a semi-nickname for an Elder of the village or perhaps one with lordly Qualities, as the most common surname spelling is "Senior or Saynor". In this case, the name development would appear to be through the following stages - Hugh Seinure (1212, Norfolk), Robert Le Seynur (1275, Suffolk), Thomas Senyer (1332, Cumberland). The modern surname is a Kentish dialectual transposition and includes Jane Singyeard, who married Edward Kitney at Strood, on March 26th 1837. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Susannah Singyard, which was dated October 28th 1787, married William Smith at Hadlow, Kent, during the reign of King George III, "Farmer George", 1760 - 1820. 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.