This interesting and unusual surname, with variant spelling Maskery, derives from the Old French "macegref", an altered form of "macecrier" a butcher, and originated as an occupational name for a retailer of meat or one who dresses meat for market. The surname is first recorded in the mid 13th Century, (see below). One, Syremon le Macekre is registered in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire (1272) and Henry Maskery is noted in the subsidy Rolls of Derbyshire (1327). Other early recordings from the Norbury and Roston church registers, Derbyshire include; Margarett, daughter of John and Margarett Maskrey, who was christened on February 16th 1730; on May 12th 1736, Elizabeth, daughter of John and Margarett Maskrey, was christened Sarah Maskery married George Fletcher on July 25th 1737; on July 2nd 1739, Sarah, daughter of William and Margarett Maskery was christened; on May 24th 1774. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry le Macegre, which was dated 1260, The Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire, during the reign of King Henry 111, "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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.