This interesting surname of Anglo-Saxon origin with variant spellings Athridge, Ateridge, Etridge, Ettridge, Etheridge, Etheredge, Ethridge, etc., derives from the personal name Aethericus itself coming from the old English pre 7th Century given name Aethelric meaning "noble-ruler". It may also be a topographical name for someone residing at the ridge deriving from the old English "aet", "at" plus "hrycg" meaning "ridge". The surname dates back to the late 13th Century, (see below). Further recordings include one John Etherych in 1524, "the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk", Margaret daughter of Joseph Atridge was christened on July 10th 1597 at St. Dunstan's, Stepney and Marye Atridge who married Wyllyam Beyton on September 14th 1606 at St. John's, Hackney, London. One John Attridge married Jone Goudge at St. Nicholas, Cole Abbey, London on November 30th 1646. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jacob Atteriche, which was dated 1273, "the Hundred Rolls of Berkshire", during the reign of King Edward 1st, "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. 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.