This rare and interesting surname is a variant of the name Vineyard, which is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has two possible sources, the first being a topographical name for someone who lived by a vineyard, derived from the Old English pre 7th century "win", vine or wine, and "geard", yard or enclosure. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names. The second source is an occupational name for someone who worked in a vineyard, derived from the same elements as before. The surname development since 1551 (see below) includes: Bryget Vyneyarde (1560, London), Henrie Vynarde (1562, London) and Edward Vineyeard (1644, London). The modern surname can be found as Vineyard, Vennard, Vennart, Vynarde and Vinyearde. Among the recordings in London are the christenings of John, son of Christopher and Margaret Vennard, on October 1st 1637 at St. Dunstan's, Stepney, and of William, son of John and Elizabeth Vennard, on June 15th 1687 at St. Dunstan's, Stepney. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alyce Vyneyarde, (christening), which was dated 1551, St. Margaret's, Westminster, London, during the reign of King Edward V1, "The Boy King", 1547 - 1553. 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.