This interesting surname is derived from the Latin personal name Augustus meaning "Venerable". The christian name is widespread, usually in the Latin form, but as a surname is rare, both in Middle English and today. The surname dates back to the mid 7th Century, (see below). Further recordings include one William Augustus who was christened on May 22nd 1726, at St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster, Richard Augustus was christened on April 25th 1733, at Holy Trinity in the Minories, London, and John Augustus was christened on December 15th 1739, at St. Andrew's, Holborn. Lewis Augustus was christened also at St. Andrew's, Holborn, on March 27th 1741, and Isaac Augustus married Rebecca Rawlings at St. George's, Hanover Square, London. One Ann Augustus (aged 20), a famine emigrant, sailed from Liverpool aboard the New York bound for New York aboard the New York on July 13th 1846. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Francis August and Mary Fisher were married, which was dated 1663, Canterbury, during the reign of King James 11, "The Last Catholic King", 1660 - 1685. 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.