Banbury - Name

This is an English locational name from the town in Oxfordshire so called, which is recorded in the Domesday Book as Banesberie. The derivation is from the Old English pre 7th Century personal name "Ban(na)a" and "burh", meaning "Banna's fort" or fortified manor. "Banna" can occasionally be found meaning a felon but this is not generally the case. The Earl of Banbury (1547 - 1632) was a notable bearer of the name through residence there. His distinguished military career included being colonel of the foot regiments enrolled to assist the Armada. He was created Earl of Banbury by King Charles 1. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas de Banneburi, which was dated 1273, in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as the Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. 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.