Theakston

This locational surname derives from the village of Theakston, population 64, three miles south east of Bedale, in North Yorkshire. The village name is first recorded in Domesday Book as "Eston," although this is clearly a mistaken form, as all other spellings from thereon refer to either Thekeston or Textone. Interestingly both these spellings were later to appear as surnames, although gradually by the 18th century, the modern form of Theakston had superseded all other spellings. Assuming that "Thekeston" first found in recordings in 1157 a.d. is correct, the name means "The farm (tun) of Teodec" the latter being an Olde English baptismal and pagan name, which may have derived from "teag" - an enclosure. All names have to start somewhere, and in many cases the name would describe a local object of some prominence. However truthfully nobody knows for certain, they can only make inspired guesses. What is reasonably certain is that around the mid 16th century, many inhabitants left the former village, taking as their surname the name of their village. Not being educated they guessed at the spelling, which in itself created many forms. Examples include Agnes Theackstone, recorded in Pateley Bridge in 1587, Georgius Thekstone of Ripon in 1589, however William Theakston who lived close by at Bedale, got it right on April 16th 1594. Other examples were Anne Texton of Goldsborough in 1677 and Robert Thakstone of Clapham in 1692. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Xopher Thackstone, which was dated April 10th 1566, a christening witness at Pateley Bridge, West Riding of Yorkshire, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess," 1558 - 1603. 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.