This is a variant spelling of the Olde Heraldic Austro-German surname "Loeben" recorded in Riestapps Armourial General for the Continent. The name is first recorded in England in the middle of the Napoleonic Ward (1794 - 1815), and all later recordings would seem to emanate from this original family. The meaning of the name is believed to be "the son (en) of the dear one" from the early (pre 7th Century German) "heof-kin", but this is not proven. The name recordings in England include William Locher, christened in 1808, whose son also called William was christened on January 27th 1847 at St. Botolphs, Bishopsgate. His son John was christened at St. Dunstans, Stepney on August 11th 1869. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Loeher, which was dated March 30th 1807, baptised at the Church of St. George in the East, London, during the reign of King George III, "Farmer George", 1760 - 1820. 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.