This interesting surname, of early medieval English origin, but with French input, has two origins. It can be occupational for a haulier, and if so derives from the Old French word "haler", meaning to pull. Secondly it can o be topographical for someone who lived in a nook or recess, deriving from the English pre 7th century word "hale" meaning a small valley. Residential surnames, were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages. The surname dates back to the late 13th century (see below), and further recordings include John Haler who appeared in the Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester in 1373. The spelling forms include Hayller, Haller, Hayler, Hallar, and Hallor. Recordings from surviving church registers include the christening of John Haller, at Christ Church Greyfriars, city of London, on April 23rd 1564; the marriage of Julian Hayler and Richard Ley on September 16th 1583, at St. Mary at Hill; and the christening of John Hallor or Haylor, at St. Margaret's Westminster, on July 9th 1654. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William le Haliere. This was dated 1279, in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, during the reign of King Edward 1st, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. 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.