Widdowson

To name researchers, this is a very important name as it is one of the rare examples of a Matrionic name i.e. derived from the Mother, not the Father. The name development appears to have occured spontaneously in many parts of England at the begining of the 14th century, and this may be as a result of the plague which was very virulent in that period. The name development has included, John la Wydewsone (1326, Essex) and William le Wydusone (1332, Stafford). The word 'widowe' is Olde English pre 7th century, the first recording as a surname being Alice Wedue, 1279, in Cambridge. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Wydusone which was dated 1309 The Pipe Rolls of Bedford during the reign of King Edward II Edward of Caernafon 1307-1327 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.