This rare and unsual name is probably a Huguenot introduction into England. The medieval English version being "Beaker". The name generally is job descriptive for an official corn-measurer or perhaps a maker of measures, called "a Bichet". The modern form of the word is medieval French, but the origin is from the Greek "Bikos" meaning a vase or container. The name development in England includes Agnes Beechiner, daughter of James Beechiner christened at St. Matthews, Bethnal Green on February 12th 1871, although Mary Beetchenow was recorded at Finsbury in 1860. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Otto Frederick Bichner, which was dated 1795, christened at St. Ann's Soho, London, during the reign of King George III, Farmer George, 1760 - 1820. 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.