The martyr St.Cecilia, the patron Saint of musicians was particularly popular with the Normans and introduced into England by them after 1066. The name developed into the nickname or petname of "Ciss" which is the derivation of Sissons. In fact Sisson's (Plural) means "Son of Ciss's Son" - a double diminutive. The name does seem to be particularly popular in Yorkshire, all early recordings being from that area. The name development including John Sisson also in the 1379 Poll Tax Records and Edward Sissons in the 1641 Friary Rolls of Yorkshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Cisson. which was dated 1379, in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls. during the reign of King Richard 11, known as Richard of Bordeaux, 1378 - 1400. 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.