Trunchion

Recorded in a range of spellings including Trounce, Trounson, Trownson, Trunchion and Trouncer, this is a medieval English surname, but one of early French origins. It derives from the word 'tronche,' a word probably introduced at the time of the Norman Invasion of England in 1066. It means a club or trunchion, and was an occupational name either for a maker of such weapons, or more probably an official who carried a trunchion as part of his civic duties. Although the official police force for the whole of the British Isles was not formed until the reign of Queen Victoria in 1840, parish constables existed for many centuries before that date, being recorded in the city of London before 1328. In fact name bearers were already recorded at least a century before that date including William Trunchon in the Friary Rolls of the county of Leicestershire in 1209, and Thomas Trunson in the Subsidy Tax rolls of Cambridge in 1327. Other later examples include William Trawnson or Trownson, given as being a "myller", who applied for a marriage licence in the city of London, in 1562, whilst Mary Trounce married Charles Cutter at St Georges chapel, Hanover Square, Westminster, on April 1st 1791. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Gilbert le Trunchier. He is recorded in the Pipe Rolls of the city of London in 1192. This was during the reign of the famous Richard the Lionheart, king of England,1189 - 1199. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to develop, often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.