Towriss

This rare name is a late variant form of the more familiar surname Towers, which has a number of interpretations, each with its own distinct history and derivation. Firstly, the name may be of Old French origin, introduced into England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and a locational surname from Tours in Eure-et-Loire, northern France, so called from the Gaulish tribal name "Turones", of uncertain etymology. The first recording of the surname, below, is from this source. Secondly, Towers may be a topographical surname for someone who lived near a tower, often a defensive fortification or watchtower, derived from the Middle English and Old French "tur", from the Latin "turris". In this instance, the "s" of Towers represents the genitive form, "of the tower". Finally, the name may be of Anglo-Saxon origin, and a variant form of Tawyer, an occupational name for a dresser of white leather, cured with alum, from an agent derivative of the Middle English "taw(en)", a development of the Olde English "tawian", to prepare. The surname in its variant forms of Towres and Towris(s) is found chiefly in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire; examples from Church Registers include: the christening of Ane, daughter of Richard Towris, on March 5th 1585, at Epworth in Lincolnshire; the marriage of John Towres and Helenor Waterhouse, in Braithwell, Yorkshire, on May 28th 1612; and the marriage of Robert Towriss and Ann Mumby on January 10th 1802, at Grainsby in Lincolnshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Picoth de Turs, which was dated circa 1150, in "Documents relating to the Danelaw", Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Stephen, known as "Count of Blois", 1135 - 1154. 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.