This name has two possible origins. The first being a patronymic i.e. "the son of Romanus". This personal name derives from the Italian "Roma" meaning "Rome" and was borne by a 7th Century bishop of Rouen (France). In England, the forename is first recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire Romanus le Corduaner (1221). Romain may also be an English, nickname deriving from the Olde French "Romeyn" meaning "a Roman" and given to one coming from that city or to one who had been on a pilgrimage to Rome. One, Richard Romeyn is recorded in Somerset (1327). The spelling Roman appears in 1367. In 1796, one, John Romain married an Ann Jones in St.George's Church, Hanover Square, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Adam Romanus or Romayn. which was dated 1207 - The Pipe Rolls of Surrey. during the reign of King John, nickname Lackland, 1199 - 1216. 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.