Enstone - Name

This apparently English name is, we believe, a transposed spelling of the Olde Huguenot 'Estaug', originally from Poitou in France, The first name holder being an Aide de Camp to William of Orange, during his invasion of England in 1688. Also known as de l'Estang, the name was recorded Heraldically in France, the Coat of Arms being a Blue Lion, Rampant on a Field of Gold. The name is also found in the Village of Eustone in Oxfordshire, although there does not appear to be any recordings of derivative surnames. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Estang (later of Canterbury). which was dated 1680, Poitou, France. during the reign of King Louis XIV, of France, 1643 - 1715. 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.