Tedridge

This unusual name is of medieval origin and describes "one who dwelt at a ridge" (atte - hryge) or perhaps came from a now apparently "lost" village in the Hampshire area. This type of descriptive surname usually with a wide variety of spellings is quite rare, although certain examples such as "Townend or Townsend" are relatively popular. The name development and recording includes the following examples, all in the County of Hampshire William Titherige of Cheriton, November 18th 1705, James Tidridge, a witness at New Alresford Independent Church on October 12th 1834, whilst on February 4th 1844, Jane Tedridge, the daughter of Henry and Ann was christened at Bishops Waltham. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Titheridge, which was dated June 13th 1642 married Eme Garret at Bighton, North Petersfield, during the reign of King Charles I, "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.