Lambourn

This interesting surname is of English locational origin, from either Lambourne in Essex or Lambourn in Berkshire, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, as Lamburna and Lamborne respectively. The place-names are derived from the Old English pre 7th Century "lamb" meaning lamb and "burna" a stream, and refer to a place where lambs were dipped or washed. It is also possible that the first element is from the Old English "lam" meaning loam, and would therefore suggest that there was rich clay soil in the area. The surname is first recorded in the late 12th Century, (see below). One William de Lamburne, is recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Suffolk (1273). Alice de Lamborne, is registered as witness, in the Court Rolls of Wiltshire (1278), and John lambourn is noted in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire (1450). In the modern idiom the surname has six spelling variations, Lamborn(e), Lamburn(e) and Lambourn(e). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph de Lamburne, witness, which was dated 1198, in the fines Court of Essex, during the reign of King Richard 1, known as "Richard the Lionheart", 1189 - 1199. 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.