Trevaskiss

This interesting and most unusual name is of English locational origin from either "Trevaskis" in the parish of Gwinear in Cornwall or "Trevascus", also in Cornwall in the parish of Goran. Both placenames derive from the Cornish element "tre", meaning homestead, settlement and a mutated form of a personal name equivalent to the Breton name "Maelscuet". Very often people were given the placename of their place of origin as a means of identification when they moved to another area to seek work etc.. The name first appears in the Cornwall church registers in the mid 16th Century (see below). Richard, son of James Trevascus was christened at Philleck, Cornwall on February 16th 1627 while Grace, daughter of James Trevaskes was christened at St. Erth, Cornwall on November 19th 1632. Jane Trevascas was christened at St. Erth also on July 11th 1648. One William Harris married Grance Trevascun at St. Ives, Cornwall on July 16th 1671. In London church Registers, the surname is first recorded on April 25th 1736 when Thomas, son of Stephen Trevascus was christened. One Edward Trevaskiss was christened at St. Gluvias, Cornwall on January 2nd 1765. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Trewaskis, married Mond Tremeren, which was dated February 11th, 1565, at Breage, Cornwall, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "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.