Recorded in the spellings of Flew, Fludd, Flude, Floyde, and diminutives Flewan, Flewen, Flewin, Fluin, and possibly others, this is an English surname. It as at least three possible origins. The first is from the Olde English and Welsh pre 7th century word 'hlod' meaning 'glory' and hence a baptismal name of endearment. Secondly it could be from the Olde English 'llwyd,' again a nickname but this time for a greybeard, an older person, who more likely somebody who seemed old. Thirdly it could be topographical someone who lived by a 'flode', meaning a small stream or an intermittent spring, from the word "flowan" meaning to flow. Early examples of recordings include John de la Flode in the Hundred Rolls of Hampshirein 1273, and John Floer in the Hundred Rolls of Devon in 1275. Early church recordings include Frauncis Floode who was christened on November 8th 1542, at St. Michael's, Bassishaw, London, Anne Fluin at St Mary Whitechapel on May 12th 1616, Eline Flewen at St Dunstans in the East, Stepney, on May 21st 1665, and Srah Flewan who married Henry Sandwich, also at St Dunstans on August 7th 1797. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.