At various times in history, the British Isles has provided a safe haven for refugees fleeing the endemic religious or political persecution on the Continent. The early circa 1840 Victorian period saw many such examples, particularly in Germany, the original "home" of this surname. It is of a form known as locational-ornamental, and derives from "schlobohm", which translates literally as "one who formerly existed at a small castle in Bohemia". Quite how this form of surname developed in Germany from the 17th Century on is not clear, but there are many similar examples. The first Church Recordings are mid 18th Century (see below), whilst the "English" spelling form was probably adopted deliberately to camouflage the Germanic origin, something it achieves very successfully. The early recordings are much later than would be found in England, again as a result of civil war and general strife. Among these are Gissel Schlobohm of Nordleda, Hannover, who married Heinrich Hulsman on September 13th 1772. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Maria Philippa Scholbohm, which was dated November 6th 1768, marriage to Christian Groth, at Bakum, Oldenburg, Germany, during the reign of Emperor Joseph 11 of the German Empire, 1765 - 1790. 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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