Recorded as Stitt, Studd, and Studde, this unusual surname can be called of British Isles origins, as it is found in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Wherever recorded it is Olde English and is either topographical for someone who lived on a stud farm, or an occupational name for someone who was employed on one. The derivation is from the ancient word "sted", with the spelling as Stitt in particular, being a Scottish dialectal form also found in Ireland. Topographical surname were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names. Early examples of the surname recording taken from surviving rolls and registers of ancient times include examples such as the christening of Margaret Stitt, the daughter of William and Hare Stitt, on April 19th 1719 at New Cumnock, in Ayr, Scotland, whilst William Stitt married Susan Beales on January 1st 1851 at St. Andrew's church, St. Marylebone, city of London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alnod Stud. This was dated 1066, in the famous Domesday Book of England, during the reign of King William 1st, known as "The Conqueror", 1066 - 1087. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop," often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.