This is an anglicized form of the Olde Frisian "huisinga" or "huizinga", a term referring to a householder as opposed to a tenant. In Medieval times the majority of the population lived in cottages or poorly constructed dwellings rather than houses, and in some instances, the name would indicate someone who had connections with the local "great house" i.e., the most important building in the settlement. The earliest recorded cognate is Simon Hus (Oxford, 1226), from the Olde English "hus", meaning "house". On October 26th 1640, Thomas Housegoe and Anne Townsend were married in St. Stephan's, Coleman Street, London and on December 7th 1766, Alexander Housego, an infant, was christened in St. Dunstan's, Stepney, London and on April 27th 1806, Clarissa, daughter of Thomas Housego, was christened in St. Leonards, Streatham, Surrey. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Howshegoo married Joane Myston, which was dated May 23rd 1572, in St. Giles, 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.