This unusual name, also found in the modern idiom as Stobbart and Stubbert has its origins in the medieval personal name Stubart or Sturbar. It is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 (as a personal name) as "Stubart" and in 1095 as "Stubhard", showing the derivation from the Old English pre 7th Century formation from "Stubb", meaning tree stump and sometimes used as a byname or nickname for a short, stoutish person, plus the element "heard" meaning hardy, brave or strong. The christening of one Charles Stobart is recorded in the records of St. Olave's, Hart St., London, on the 19th October 1648. John Stobart married Mary Wood on the 29th May 1757 at St. Luke's Old Street, Finsbury in London. Millet, son of John and Mary Stobart, was christened in the same place on March 28th 1762. On November 5th 1794, William, son of John and Fanny Stobbart, was christened at St. Dionis Backchurch, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Symon Stubard, which was dated 1275, in the Hundred Rolls, Norfolk, 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.