This is a very rare name in Britain. It derives from the Old German "Stricker", and describes a maker of woollen garments, a knitter, and specifically one who made "hosen" (trousers and stockings). There is a possible alternative medieval nickname meaning of "poacher", although the relationship with woollen garments seems remote. In its homeland the name in various spelling forms has been recorded since at least the 14th Century (see below), whilst in England, although records are rare and erratic, they date back to at least the time of William of Orange (1689 - 1702). These recordings include the following examples: Gasten Strickler, who married Jacobus Coates, at Kilham, Yorkshire, on February 5th 1694; Sarah Stricler, who married John Board at Kilmington, Somerset, on August 20th 1727; and Robert Strickler, who was christened at St. Dunstan's Church, Stepney, London, on March 16th 1702. Recordings in Germany include Heinrich Strickler, of Lachen-Speyerdorf, Plalz, Bayern, on October 30th 1706. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Johannes Stricker, which was dated 1361, recorded at Oberstdorf, Germany, as a maker of trousers, during the reign of Charles V, Holy Roman (German) Empire, 1347 - 1378. 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.