Bloodworth

This interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and has two possible sources. Firstly, the surname may be locational from Blidworth in Nottinghamshire, which was recorded as "Blideworde" in the Domesday Book of 1086, and as "Bledewurda" in the 1180 Pipe Rolls of the county. The derivation of the name is from the Olde English pre 7th Century personal name "Bleath", from "bleath", timid, and "worth", homestead, enclosure; hence, "Bleath's enclosure". Locational surnames were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually to seek work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. Secondly, the surname may be topographical for a "dweller in, or near, the blood-red enclosure". The name would therefore be composed of the Olde English elements "blod", blood (red), and "worth", enclosure, the enclosure would probably have vegetation of a bright red colour growing there. Recordings of the surname from London Church Registers include: the marriage of Mary Bloodworth and John Millet at St. Michael Queen-Hythe, on October 30th 1599, and the christening of Thomas, son of Henry Bloodworth, on September 12th 1600, at St. Botolph without Aldgate. A Coat of Arms granted to the family is a silver shield with three black bars, in chief three torteaux, all within an ermine bordure, the Crest being a dexter hand fesseways couped red, holding a black cross crosslet fitchee in pale. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alexsander Bloodworthe, which was dated March 29th 1566, witness at the christening of his daughter, Elsabethe, at St. Andrew's, Holborn, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "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.