Troth

Troth
This interesting and unusual name is of early medieval English origin, and is one of that sizeable group of early English and European surnames that were gradually acquired by the habitual use of a nickname, and also, as in this instance, by the constant use of a particular phrase or oath by the person so named. The modern surname Troth or Troath derives from the Middle English "trowthe, trouthe", good faith, loyalty, from the Olde English pre 7th Century "treowth", truth, a derivative of "treow", true. As a nickname surname it would have been bestowed on someone considered to be outstandingly loyal and faithful, possibly a servant or retainer. "Troth" may also be an "oath-surname", acquired by the habitual use of the common phrase "By my troth" to emphasise the truthfulness of an assertion. Other such names surviving are "Godbehere" and "Godsave" (for God's sake). The marriage of William Troth and Katherine Meriday was recorded at the Church of St. Dunstan, Stepney, in London, on August 3rd 1629. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Troth which was dated 1327, in the "Suffolk Subsidy Rolls", during the reign of King Edward 11, known as "Edward of Caernafon", 1307-1327. 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.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • troth — [trôth, trōth, träth] Archaic n. [ME trouthe (see TRUTH), with specialized form & meaning] 1. faithfulness; loyalty 2. truth: chiefly in phrase in troth, truly; indeed 3. one s pledged word; promise: see also PLIGHT ONE S TROTH (at PLIGHT …   English World dictionary

  • Troth — Troth, n. [A variant of truth. See {Truth}.] 1. Belief; faith; fidelity. [1913 Webster] Bid her alight And hertroth plight. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Truth; verity; veracity; as, by my troth. Shak. [1913 Webster] In troth, thou art able to instruct …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • troth — ► NOUN 1) archaic or formal faith or loyalty when pledged in a solemn agreement or undertaking. 2) archaic truth. ● pledge (or plight) one s troth Cf. ↑plight one s troth ORIGIN variant of TRUTH(Cf. ↑ …   English terms dictionary

  • troth — [trəuθ US tro:θ, tra:θ, trouθ] n [Date: 1200 1300; Origin: truth] →plight your troth at ↑plight2 …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • troth — [ trouθ ] noun plight/pledge your troth an old phrase meaning to promise to get married to someone …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • troth — late 12c., from a phonetic variant of O.E. treowð faithfulness, truth (see TRUTH (Cf. truth)). Restricted to Midlands and Northern England dialect after 16c., and to certain archaic phrases (e.g. plight one s troth). Cf. also BETROTH (Cf.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • troth — index adherence (devotion), adhesion (loyalty), faith, loyalty, profession (declaration), reliance …   Law dictionary

  • troth — be·troth; be·troth·al; be·troth·ment; troth·less; troth; …   English syllables

  • troth — noun old use 1 by my troth used when expressing an opinion strongly 2 in troth truly; indeed see also: plight your troth plight 2 …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • troth — I. noun Etymology: Middle English trouth, from Old English trēowth more at truth Date: 12th century 1. loyal or pledged faithfulness ; fidelity < pledged my troth > 2. one s pledged word < I don t remember the details or, by my troth, even the… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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