This interesting and most unusual surname with variant spellings Deave and Deeves derives from the Old English pre seventh Century word "deaf", deaf, "deave" being the inflected forms "deafum", "deafe", hence the name was probably a nickname for a person who did not have a sharp sense of hearing or perhaps a person who was actually deaf. One Rogerus Surdus was recorded in 1196, in the Curia Rolls of Northumberland, "Surdus" being a French cognate, meaning deaf. The Assize Rolls of Kent mention one Sarra le Deane (la Deafe) in 1317. In May, 1589 Ellen, daughter of Lancelet Deves was christened at St. Margaret, Westminster in London. One Margaret Deues married Richard Hewthat on November 28th 1602, at St. Lawrence, Poutney, London. John Deuis married Alce Lee at St. Olave, Hert Street, London on February 19th 1614. Saunders Deaves was christened on October 28th 1656, at St. Dunstan Stepney while Daniel, son of Isaac and Bathia Deeves was christened at St. Giles Cripplegate on April 18th 1693. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph le Deue, which was dated 1251, in the "Cartulary of Oseney Abbey" (Oxford), 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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