This unusual locational name derives from the hamlet of Troutsdale in the Parish of Brompton, New Scarborough in North Yorkshire. The village name is first recorded in the 1086, Domesday Book as "Truzstal" and in 1341 as "Trucedale". The name does mean "the valley (dael) of the Trout Stream (Truyte)" from the Olde English of the pre 7th Century. The name development includes Abraham Trowsdale of Bilsdale (1781), Joseph Troutsdale of Scarborough (1816) whilst William Trusdale was recorded at Hackness, New Scarborough on February 22nd 1741. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Joseph Trousdale. which was dated 1585, (Baptised) Pickhill with Roxby, North Yorkshire. during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Good Queen Bess, 1558 - 1603. 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.