This interesting surname of English origin is a locational name from a place called Wasdale in Westmorland or Wasdale Head in Cumberland, deriving from the Old Norse vat(n)sdalr meaning "valley of the stream or lake". The surname dates back to the mid 17th Century, (see below). Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Wisedell, Wisedill, Wisdale, etc.. One Ane Wisdell married Thomas Davis on June 13th 1668, at St. James, Clerkenwell, London. Elizabeth Wisedale, daughter of Robert and Sarah, was christened at St. James Clerkenwell, London, on May 11th 1707, and Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary Wisedale, was christened at St. Sepulchire, London, on February 12th 1798. Joseph, son of Joseph and Mary Wisedale, was christened on January 1803, at St. Luke, Old Street, Finsbury, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Mary Wisdale, christened, which was dated 1642, St. Olave, Southwark, London, during the reign of King Charles 1, "The Martyr", 1625 - 1649. 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.