This very interesting name is of French (Huguenot) origins in Britain, but it's ultimate beginnings are much earlier. It derives from the verb "defrendre", and refers to a Town Guard, or even the local champion: one who "fends off", the opposition. The English form is Fender; Roger Fendour being recorded in the Pipe Rolls of London as early as 1315 A.D., in the reign of Edward 11 (1307 - 1327). The name recordings from London Church Registers include the following examples: Henry Fiander, a christening witness at the Church of St. Sepulchre's, on July 24th 1684, in the reign of Charles 11, whilst later in 1734, we find William Fiandrus being recorded at the same St. Sepulchre's, although in 1746 he appears in the records of St. Katherine by the Tower, in the spelling of Fiandra. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of George Fynder, which was dated August 31st 1595, christened at St. Giles' Church, Cripplegate, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.