Gorch

This uncommon and interesting name has two possible sources the first of which is of early medieval French origin, introduced into England by the Normans after 1066, and is a metonymic occupational name for a maker of "gorgers", or "gorgets". These were pieces of armour made especially to cover the throat, and derive their name from the Old French "gorge", throat; the surname may also have applied to a maker of chin-cloths or wimples for covering the throat. The second possible origin of the modern surname found as George, Gordge, Gorch and Gorges, is also derives from the Old French "gorge", adopted into Middle English, but here used to mean a gorge or ravine. The surname from this source is topographical, denoting someone who lived by or in a deep valley or "gorge", or may in some cases be locational, from one of the various places in England and France named with this element. One Francis Gordge was christened at St. Stephen Walbrock, London, on February 27th 1606. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Herveus Gorge, which was dated 1185, in the "Suffolk Pipe Rolls", during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 - 1189. 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.