This most interesting and unusual name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, being a locational name from either Liscombe in Berkshire, recorded as "Lichecumbe" in 1207 in the Curia Rolls, or from Liscombe in Somerset, which was recorded as "Loscumb" in the Assize Court Rolls of 1251. The former placename is composed of the Olde English elements "lycce", enclosed land, and "cumb", a valley or deep hollow, while the latter derives from the Olde English elements "hlose", a pigsty, and "cumb", as before. Locational surnames were originally given as a means of identification to those who left their village or place of origin to settle elsewhere. One Richard Lypskombe was christened at Bradfield, Berkshire on July 21st, 1541, while Robart Lypscome married Johan Freestone on August 3rd 1548 at the church of St. Mary, Reading in Berkshire. Ann Lipscombe married Symon Mannde at St. Mary Magdalene, Old Fish Street, London on January 5th 1606. Christopher Lipscomb (1781 - 1843) became first bishop of Jamaica in 1824. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Lipscome, which was dated January 21st 1539, marriage to Elizabeth Irishe at St. Mary's, Reading, Berkshire, during the reign of King Henry V111, known as "Good King Hal", 1509 - 1547. 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.

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