Bulstrode

This is an English surname. Recorded in as many forms as it is possible to squeese out spellings, it is locational and originates from a the medieval village of Bulstrode in the county of Berkshire. Recorded as Bolstridge, Boulstridge, Bolsteridge, Bollstrodge, Bulstradge, Bulstrode and others, and first recorded as a place name in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, the name probably translates today as 'The bulls marsh' although 'The fort on the marsh' was the likely translation before the 12th century. Locational surnames are usually from names. That is to say names given to either the lord of the manor, or more usually to those people who for whatebver reason left the village and moved somewhere else. Here unless they had a specific trade, they would often be most easily identified by being called after the place from whence they came. Spelling being at best erratic, often lead to the development of 'sounds like' forms. Early examples of recordings include Richard de Bulestrad in the Curia Regis rolls of Surrey in 1204, John Bulstrode in the Assixze Court of London in 1407, Thomas Boulstridge at St Leonrds Shoreditch, on February 25th 1770, and Sarah Bolstridge at St Botolphs Bishopgate, on May 11th 1812.