This interesting surname of English origin is derived from the Anglo-Norman-French given name Ham(b)lin, a double diminutive of Hammone, itself coming from the Norman personal name Hamo(n), which derives from the Germanic Haimo, a short form of the various compound names with the first element "haim" meaning "home". The surname is found mainly in the West Country and it dates back to the early 13th Century, (see below). Further recordings include one Thomas Hamelin (circa 1230), "Liver Memorandorum Ecclesie de Bernewelle, Cambridgeshire", and Walter Hamelin (1243), "the Assize Rolls of Somerset". Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Hamlin, Hamlen, Hamblyn, Hamlen, Hambling, etc.. Recordings of the surname from the London church registers include; John, son of William and Mary Hambling, who was christened on January 2nd 1675 at St. Dunstan's, Stepney; on January 1st 1741, Valentine, son of William and Mary Hambling was christened at St. Katherine by the Tower; and the christening of Charles, son of Anthony and Sarah Hambling took place on November 4th 1770, at Enfield. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Hamlyn, which was dated 1219, Larkbear, Devon, during the reign of King Henry 111, "the Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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.