This is a Olde English pre 7th Century topographical name which derives from 'Est - Mede' and translates as one who dwells by the east (water) meadow i.e. the one to the east of the village. It is possible that the name could have been locational and relate to former village called 'Eastmead', but if this is the case, the village no longer appears to exist and joins the seven thousand similar medieval 'lost' locations. The name development includes the following recordings, Rebbecam Eastmead who married Maximilianus Boush at St. Martins in the Field, Westminster on April 1st 1679 and Arthur Aistmade who was christened at St. Katherine, Freechurch in 1698. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alice Easmaide, which was dated 1619, married Barthlemew Wythney at St. Michaels, Cornhill, during the reign of King James I of England and VI of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. 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.