Bulgen

This interesting name is of pre medieval French origins and was introduced by the Normans after the 1066 Conquest. It derives from the job descriptive term "Bulgere" meaning "A maker of leather goods" although in this case it is a patronymic translating as "Bulg(ere)s son (kin)". It may be as well that some of todays nameholders have an English derivation from "The Son of Bull" recorded in Suffolk circa 1200 as Walter Bulekin. The modern name development is late and includes James Bullgin who married Mary Mordan (London, 1720), Paul Bulgen (London, 1725) and George Bulgin, christened at Westminster in 1742. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Bulgen, which was dated 1716, christened at St. Martins in the Field, London, during the reign of King George I, "Hanover George", 1715 - 1727. 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.