Walthall - Name

This interesting name has been well recorded particularly in London, since at least the time of the first Elizabeth. It is probably of Anglo-Saxon pre 9th Century origin and is locational from a now apparently 'lost' medieval village or hamlet, called 'Waella-halh'. This translates as 'the house (or hall) by the Spring' although it is also possible that the name could translate as 'the house on the walled bank', and perhaps refer to a formerly fortified position. The name recordings include - Lulas Wallthall of Cornhill, London in 1590, and Richard Walthell who married Susan Walth on July 7th 1608 at the Church of St. Katherines by the Tower, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jone Walthall, which was dated August 14th 1569, christened at the church of St. Margaret Lothbury, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, '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.