Sturmey

This most interesting surname is of Old German and Old French origin. It may derive from the Old German personal name "Sturmi" and Old French personal name "Estourmi", from the Old Germanic word "sturm", related to the Old Norse "stormr" and Olde English "storm", storm, and was probably applied to someone who had a blustery temperament. Thus the surname is an example of that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. The nicknames were given in the first instance with reference to a variety of characteristics, such as physical attributes, mental and moral characteristics or habits of dress and occupation. The personal name appeared in the Domesday Book of 1087 when one Sturmidus de Cotenham was mentioned, while the surname itself is first recorded in the late 11th Century (see below). Richard Sturmid was mentioned in the Domesday Book of Surrey, as was Richard Sturmi (Hampshire). Roger le Sturmy was listed in 1296 in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex. On November 12th 1596, Maria Sturme married Melhior Schantz at Jagstkreig, Elvangen Wuertt (Germany). Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Sturmey was christened on February 9th 1612 at St. Botolph Bishopsgate, London. A Coat of Arms depicting a silver lion salient on a black shield, was granted to a family called "Sturmye". The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Estormid, which was dated 1084, in the "Geld Rolls" (Wiltshire), during the reign of King William 1, known as "William the Conqueror", 1066 - 1087. 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.