Recorded in several forms as shown below, this unusual and interesting name is of Norman French origin. It was introduced into England by followers of William the Conqueror after the famous invasion of 1066. As with many early European surnames, it is locational and was acquired either by the original lords of the manor, or by former inhabitants for ease of identification. Recorded as Maisey, Maizey, Maysey, Measey, Meysey and Meazey, it originates from either of the places called Maizy in the departement of Aisnes, or from Maisy in the departement of Calvados. There has been some confusion with the name "Massey", which is also of French locational origin from places such as Macey, Massy and Marcy. The surname development includes (in London): John Maysie in 1629, Elizabeth Mazy in 1636, Sarah Mazee in 1654 and Thomas Mazey in 1675. Bridget Maisey was christened at St. Katherine's Creechurch, in the city of London on March 14th 1691, and the marriage of Isaac Masey and Anne Rawlins was recorded at St. Mary Somerset, on November 9th 1699. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Geoffrey de Maisi. This was dated 1130, in the Pipe Rolls of the county of Surrey, during the reign of King Henry 1st of England and known as "The Lion of Justice", 1100 -1135. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.