Stather

This name has been spelt variously as Stathor, Stouther, and Statter. The first element comes from the Olde English "Stott", meaning "a horse" or Middle English "Stott", designating a young Ox or Steer, a term which was most frequently used in the Northern Counties and Scotland. The second element "er" is an agent suffix indicating one who does or works with something. Thus it is an occupational name describing a person who handled or worked with young Oxen or Steers. The patronymic form as Stathers is quite rare. An example is John and Rebecca Stathers, who were witnesses at St. Swithins Church, Lincoln on October 9th 1799, at the christening of their daughter Ann. The variant Stother is seen in the London Register for the christening of one Ann Stogher on January 1st 1656, at St. Olave's, Southwark. Another variation is found in the record of marriage for Ann Stuther to William Lifley on August 1st 1688 at St. James, Dukes Place, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Stater, which was dated 1250, Charters of the Hospital of Soltre, during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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.