Tregian

This is a locational surname of Cornish origin, recorded in the spellings of Trudgian, Trudgeon, Tregian, and several other early forms. Cornish surnames are unique amongst the Gaelic regions, in that they are the only area where locational surnames apply. In all other areas (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Brittany) the surnames are overwhelmingly patronymic or diminutive (son of). In this case it seems that the name does originate from the village of Tregian, in Mid Cornwall. This seems to translate as "the homestead of the dogs", perhaps a reference to dog kennels, or a place where hunting dogs were bred and trained. Many West Country charters remain unpublished, and therefore it is possible that the surname is recorded in rolls to which we do not have access, since the village name is recorded as Tregyan in 1257 in the accounts of the duchy of Cornwall. However the recordings taken from the first church registers suggest that the epi-centre of the surname for several centuries was either Kea, Mawgan in Meneage, or St. Steven in Brannel. Examples of these recordings taken at random, include Edward Tregien, a witness at Kea church on December 18th 1607, and Edward Trugian, who may well have been the same person, at the same place on December 20th 1612. On December 22nd 1658, Ann Tregien, the daughter of Henry Tregien was christened at Wendrow church, Catharine Trudgeon was christened at Mawgan in Meneage on November 10th 1688, whilst on June 3rd 1699 Anthony Trudgian was christened at St Steven in Brannel. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Abbigale Truggian, which was dated June 24th 1605, who was christened at Mawgan in Meneage, Cornwall, during the reign of King James 1st of England and V1 of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. 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.