This interesting surname with variant spellings Maddock, Maddick, Meddock, Meddick, etc., derives from the Old Welsh personal name "Matoc" meaning "goodly". The personal name is recorded as Maddoch in the Domesday Book of 1086, and as Maddock le Waleys (1283) in the Assize Court Rolls of Staffordshire. The surname dates back to the late 13th Century, (see below). Further recordings include one Robert Mattok (1290) "The Assize Court Rolls of Cheshire", and Stephen Madek (1297) "Minister Accounts of the Earldom of Cornwall". Church recordings include one Judith Meddick who married John King on June 1st 1723 at St. Benet Paul's Wharf, London, George, son of John and Sarah Mettick, was christened on February 28th 1861 at St. John Evangelist, Limehouse, London, and Emily Florence Meddick was christened on January 22nd 1865 at All Souls, St. Marylebone, London. Henry John, son of John and Elizabeth Meddick was christened on February 24th 1867 also at All Souls, St. Marylebone, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Madoc, which was dated 1274, the Hundred Rolls of Shropshire, during the reign of King Henry 111, "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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.