This unusual and interesting name is of English locational origin, from either of the two places called "Bolitho" in Cornwall. The placename is so called from the Cornish (Celtic) word "bos" or "bod" meaning "dwelling", plus a personal name of uncertain form. The Bolitho family have been influential in Cornwall for centuries and seem to have originated in Boliatho in Crowan. The Bolitho's of Helston have the following Cornish Coat of Arms:- Ermine on a plain Chevron five bezants between two chevronels engrailed and three fleur-de-lis sable. The name can also be found as "Bolithoe" and "Bolythoe". One Mary Bolithoe (Cornwall) was married to Thomas Williams at Wendron, in 1587. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Zacharias Bolithoe, christened. which was dated 4th April 1585, Wendron, Somerset. 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.

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