The English medieval word for good was "trie" itself a development of the Old French "trieze" and introduced by the Normans after the 1066 invasion. As the modern form when applied personally indicates "a trier" it is not unreasonable to suggest a similar meaning in the 12th century. However this is not necessarily so because amongst the earliest recordings is one of Reginald de Trye of Gloucester circa 1350, whilst even earlier in 1272 in the Kings Rolls for Norfolk appears the recording of Seigneur de Try. These name forms suggest that "Try(e)" is locational from some now "lost" place probably in East Anglia. Several thousand medieval villages are now "lost" and almost all produced surnames, so this situation whilst unusual is not without precedent. Certainly the Coat of Arms is truly ancient, predating the creation of the orders of chivalry and the Battle of Crecy in 1346, and King Edward 111's modern Knights of the Round Table at Winchester. The early recordings include Thomas Trie in the Hundred Rolls of Shropshire for 1274, and Julian Try in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire for the year 1301. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Mathew de Trye, which was dated 1251, in the Derring Rolls of Norfolk, during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman" 1216 - 1272. 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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