This interesting surname, of Welsh origin with variant spellings Bathow, Bathoe, Bathow, Bathowe, Betho and Batho, is derived from "Batha", itself coming from the Welsh, "ap Atha" or "ab Atha", meaning "son of Atha". This Welsh personal name was very popular in Shropshire, Cheshire and Chirkland in the 14th Century. The surname dates back to the early 16th Century (see below), and further early recordings include: Jevan ap John ap Gryffyd Balto (1538) in the "Extend of Chirkland", and Humffrey Bathowe (1538), in the "Transactions of the Shropshire Archaelogical and Natural History Society". Recordings from English Church Registers include: the christening of Jacob, son of Phillip Batho, on May 3rd 1592, at St. Mary's, Shrewsbury, Shropshire; the marriage of Dorithie Bathow and Thomas Smith on January 6th 1604, at St. Benet Fink', London; and the christening of Sarah, daughter of John and Mary Batho, on January 25th 1637, at St. Nicholas', Cole Abbey, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Bathowe, which was dated 1537, recorded in "Welsh Surnames in the Border Counties of Wales", during the reign of King Henry V111, known as "Good King Hal", 1509 - 1547. 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.