Some surnames try to defy description - this is one of them! The origin is almost certainly Norman-French, the introduction into England being after the 1066 invasion. The name is believed to be a developed form of the ancient "de Chauncy", a family originally from Amiens in Northern france who were granted lands in Lincolnshire. The surname started to change form in its own region after the introduction of English in the 13th centuries, prior to those dates French and Latin were used for all records. In the register of the parish church of Orby, Lincolnshire is the recording of Jan Chandyche who married Fransis Thorn on October 10th 1565. Later on October 24th 1597, Thomas Chaundley is recorded at Great Amell, Hertfordshire, and on December 5th 1742, one John Shaundye is recorded at St. Ann's Church, Blackfriars, London. On August 15th 1818, Bartholomew Chaundy is recorded at the church of St. Clement Danes, London when he married Mary Coham. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Phillip de Chauncy, which was dated 1227, in the Kings Rolls of Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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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