Urien

This unusual and interesting name has its origins in an ancient British (pre Roman) personal name, found as Urion, Urian, Uren and in Wales particularly, Urien. The Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire record one "John, son of Urian" in 1273 and another "Uryene" in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in the same year. The name Urania, from the Greek name for the Goddess of the sky and Muse of Astronomy, was adopted by the Romans and used as both a male and female personal name. Uranius and Urania, which were absorbed into the Olde British form "Urien". This means "twin-born", and was the name of one of the leaders of the Britons in the 6th Century in Northern England. A famous namebearer being John Hurrion (1675 - 1731), who was independent minister of Hare Court Chapel, London, and Merchants' lecturer at Pinners' Hall, London. His works were edited by Rev A. Taylor (1823). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of James Hurhion, christened, which was dated 10th June 1687, Tonbridge, Kent, during the reign of King James 11, known as the Last Catholic King, 1685 - 1688. 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.