Originally this name was Norse-Viking pre 7th Century and derived from "Gunror or Gunnor" and translating as "Battle - Hardy" or similar. It was a name very popular with the Normans and widely used by them after 1066. The Middle English development was "Gunner", a word which was later used to define a Soldier who operated a Cannon, originally known as a battle. The development into the surname Gunnery or Gummery was a Midlands varient from the 16th Century, brought about by dialect. The name development was Gunnor (as a personal name only) in the 1086, Domesday Book, William Gunwar (1276, Cambridge), Michael Gonnar (1472, The Kings Lists). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Gunnery (as spelt). which was dated 1626, Elizabeth Citte, Virginia, Americia. during the reign of King Charles I, 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.