This interesting surname, of Anglo-Saxon origin with variant spellings Athridge, Ateridge, Etridge, Ettridge, Etheridge, Etheredge and Ethridge, derives from the personal name "Aethericus", itself deriving from the Olde English pre 7th Century given name "Aethelric", meaning "noble-ruler". It may also be a topographical name for someone residing "at the ridge", deriving from the Olde English "aet", at, plus "hrycg", meaning "ridge". Topographical surnames were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually to seek work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. The surname dates back to the late 13th Century (see below), and further early recordings include: John Etherych, listed in the 1524 Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk; the christening of Margaret, daughter of Joseph Atridge, on July 10th 1597, at St. Dunstan's, Stepney, London; and the marriage of Marye Atridge and Wyllyam Beyton on September 14th 1606, at St. John's, Hackney, London; and the marriage of John Attridge and Jone Goudge at St. Nicholas, Cole Abbey, London, on November 30th 1646. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jacob Atteriche, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Berkshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. 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.