This interesting name is medieval job descriptive and may, either be from the Latin (Roman) "Custor" meaning a Guard and found in the modern word "Custodian" or it is from the Olde French pre 12th Century "Coustiere", meaning a Maker of Beds and Mattresses. The name development in England includes Samuel Cousturier, the son of Thomas Cousturier, described as a "Walloon" (native of Southern Flanders - now Belgium), who was christened at Southampton Parish Church on July 28th 1577, whilst Elizabeth Custer was christened at Southwalk, London in 1648. General George Custer (1839 - 1876) was believed to be a descendant of The Custers or Kusters of Hess, Germany. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Sybillia Le Custere, which was dated 1254, Witness at Stafford Assize Court, during the reign of King Henry III "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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