This interesting surname can be a patronymic from the medieval given name "Sa(h)er", which is probably a Norman introduction of the continental Germanic personal name "Sigiheri", composed of the elements "sigi" meaning "victory" plus "heri", army. However, it could also represent a Middle English name, "Soehere", composed of the elements "soe" meaning "sea" plus "here", army. Secondly, it may be a metronymic from the Hebrew female given name "Sara", "Princess", borne by the wife of Abraham. Finally, it may be a nickname for someone of swarthy appearance, deriving from the Middle English, Old French "Sarrazin", "Saracen". The surname dates back to the early 12th Century (see below), and other early recordings include Philoip le Saracin (1201), witness in the Assize Court Rolls of Somerset, and Adam Sareson (1285), in the Calendar of the Letter Books of the City of London. Recordings from London Church Registers include the christening of Helyas Sarson on April 4th 1552, at St. Margaret's, Westminster, and the christening of John, son of John and Margaret Sarson on January 5th 1632, at St. Mary's, Whitechapel, Stepney. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Oliver Sarazin, which was dated circa 1300, in "Early 12th Century Documents illustrative of the Social and Economic History of the Danelaw", Leicestershire, during the reign of King Henry 1, known as "The Lion of Justice", 1100 - 1135. 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.