This unusual name derives from the Spanish 'Menendoz', itself a derivative from the Visigoth 'Hermenegild' - a personal name which translates as 'whole tribute'. The Visigoths were of Baltic Origin, they sacked Rome in 410 A.D. before moving onto Spain, which they occupied for some three hundred years. Many Spanish names derive from this period, although not obviously so, the surname arrival in England is associated with the development of the precious metals industry. The name development in England includes the following recordings John Mendus, son of Gyles Mendus, christened at St. Margarets, Westminster in 1643 and Jacob Mendez, christened at St. Botolphs, London in 1743. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of James Mendowess, which was dated 1628, christened at St. Margarets, Westminster, during the reign of King Charles I, 'The Martyr', 1625 - 1649. 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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