Lakeman - Meno

This interesting name, with variant forms Lackemann and Lackmann, is of Anglo-Saxon topographical origin from residence by a pond or boundary (stone). The derivation in the first instance is from the Old English "lacu", (Middle High German "lache") meaning a pond or stream, plus the Old English "mann", (Old High German "man"), a man. In the second instance, the derivation is from the Middle High German "lache", itself coming from the Old German "lah", a boundary (stone), plus "man". The boundary referred to here may be that of a parish or other administrative district. A Coat of Arms granted to the Lakeman family of Westphalia circa 1680 depicts a demi black figure on a silver shield bearing a club over his left shoulder. The shield is divided horizontally by a green band in the centre and another of the same colour in base. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Lakeman, which was dated 1320, in the "Kalendar of Documents", Essex, 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.