This interesting name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is locational from a place so called in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Settle was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Setel"; later in the Pudsay Deeds, circa 1200, as "Setel"; and subsequently in the Charter Rolls of 1249, as "Setel". The placename is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century "setl", meaning, in this instance, seat, dwelling, or abode. Locational surnames, such as this, were usually acquired by a local landowner, or by the lord of the manor, and especially by those former inhabitants of a place who had moved to another area, usually in search of work, and were thereafter best identified by the name of their birthplace; this resulted in a wide dispersal of the name. Early recordings from Yorkshire Church Registers include: the christenings of brothers, Henry and Lawrence Settle, sons of John Settle, in 1534 and 1539 respectively, both at Barwick in Elmet, Potterton; the christening of Francis, son of Henry and Helline Settle, in 1573, also at Barwick in Elmet; and the christening of Christopher, son of Richard Settle, on March 24th 1589, at Conistone in Craven. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Settle, which was dated 1499, recorded at Barwick in Elmet, Potterton, Yorkshire, during the reign of King Henry V11, known as "Henry Tudor", 1485 - 1509. 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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