This very interesting name is of East Anglian origin and derives from the Olde Viking, pre 7th Century locational word 'Thwaite' - meaning a clearing in a forest. It is believed that the Scottish 'Tweedie' is of the same origination, and this is possible as the first recordings were of finlay de Twydyn in 1296. The English name development has included Hugh de Twyt (1219, Yorkshire), Alan del Twayt (1301, Yorkshire), William Twaytes (1492, Suffolk). It has been suggested that another derivation may be from the Twite-Finch, a species of Linnet found in Marshy places as in Robert Twyt (1562, Yorkshire). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Lambert del Tuuit. which was dated 1190, The Pipe Rolls of Lincoln. during the reign of King Richard I, The Lionheart, 1189 - 1199. 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.