There are a number of spellings of this early surname. These include Hubach, Hewbacke, Howbache, Hubbuck, Ewbach, Hubbock and Hubback, but all have exactly the same meaning of "the son (ock) of Hubert". The latter is a pre 9th Century compound personal name with the elements of "hug" meaning heart and "berht" - bright (Bright-heart). The original first nameholder was (St.) Hubert of Maastricht, who was particularly popular with the Anglo-Saxon settlers to England. It is not absolutely certain when the modern surname came into use, but the following recordings show its development. John Hubbucke of Coleman Street, London (1664), Elizabeth Hubbock, Aldgate, London (1664), Christian Hubbuck, St. Marylebone (1681) and Hannah Hubbucks of Cripplegate, London 1834. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alices Howbacke (as spelt), which was dated June 8th 1541, who married James Ranscroft at St. Matthew's, Friday Street, London, during the reign of King Henry Vlll, known as "Bluff King Hal", 1510 - 1548. 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.