Thrower

This interesting and unusual name is of English origin and is found particularly in Southern England. It is an occupational surname for a "thread-thrower", someone who made silk thread from raw silk. The derivation of the term is from the Old English pre 7th Century "thrawan", to twist, in Middle English "throw(en)". After, the 13th Century the word began to be used in its modern sense of turning wood or throwing clay in pottery, so the modern surname could also have been an occupational name for a potter or a wood-turner. One "Edward Thrower", son of Robert was christened on the 10th November 1588 at St. Peters', Cornhill, London. "Jane Thrower" was married to "John Blowes" on the 2nd May, 1681 at St. James', Dukes' Place, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Simon le Throwere, which was dated 1293, Ancient Deeds of Norfolk, during the reign of King Edward I, The Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. 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.