Allsebrook

There are many variant spellings of this interesting locational name. These include Allesbrook, Olesbrooke, Holsebrook, Olsibrook, Allsebrook, Alsebrok, Alseybrook and Allsibrook, the variety of spellings suggests that the name derives from a now "lost" medieval village, one probably cleared either by famine, plague or the Enclosure Acts, when families were dispossessed of their lands. The origination of the name is Olde English pre 9th Century, it derives from the personal name "Alle" plus"Brocc", and probably describes a tribal site, the place by the brook of Aelle's people. The name recordings include the following samples; Martha Allsingbrook (1757, Stepney), Mary Alseabrooke (1661, Newgate) and Charles Allsebrook (1751, St. Sepulchres, London). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jone Alseybrooke, which was dated June 2nd 1636, christened at St. Giles' church, Cripplegate, London, during the reign of King Charles I, "The Martyr", 1625 - 1649. 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.