Sycamore

This most interesting and rare surname is of early medieval French origin, and is a topographical name given to someone who lived near a sycamore tree, from the medieval French "sicamor", from the Latin "sycomorus", itself ultimately deriving from the Greek "sukomoros", so called because of its resemblance to the mulberry tree. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, as both natural and man-made features provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages. Early recordings of the surname include the following: the marriage of Isaac Succamore and Annie Lambert on September 1st 1712, at Great Henney, Essex; the christening of Simon, son of Isaack and Amy Sucamore, on November 3rd 1723, at Alphamstone, Essex; and the christening of Sarah, daughter of Sarah and James Sycamore, on February 23rd 1737, at Esher in Surrey. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rici Skycamore, which was dated April 30th 1629, a christening witness, at Frampton on Severn, Gloucestershire, during the reign of King Charles 1, known as "The Martyr", 1625 - 1649. 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.