This rare and interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and has two possible sources, both topographical. The first possibility is that this name derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century words, "tun", meaning an enclosure or settlement, with "denu", a valley, thus given to one who lived in the settlement in or near a valley. However, there is an Olde English personal name "Tunna", and it is also possible that Tunnadine is derived from this source, with the second element "denu", as before; hence, "Tunna's valley". Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages. It may also be that this name is locational from some minor place, perhaps in Lancashire, as there is evidence of recordings in that county. Locational surnames were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually in search of work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. Recordings from London Church Registers include the christening of John Tunnadine on December 17th 1754, at St. Andrew's, Holborn. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Tunnadine, which was dated August 17th 1691, marriage to Aim Pedy, at St. Mary's, Marylebone, London, during the reign of King William 111, William of Orange and England, 1689 - 1702. 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.

© Copyright: Name Origin Research 1980 - 2024