Treasure

This very unusual and interesting name is of early Medieval English origin, and has two possible sources. The first of these is from a metonymic occupational name for a 'treasurer', a person in charge of financial administration. The derivation of the name in this sense is from the Middle English word 'tresor, treysour, thresur', wealth, riches, treasure, from the Old French 'tresor', itself derived from the Latin 'thesaurus', hoard, store. The Latin form of the name is recorded in the Winton Rolls of Hampshire of 1066, as 'Henricus Thesaurius'. The second possible origin of the modern surname is from a medieval nickname for a loved or valued person, from the Middle English 'tresor' used as a term of endearment. On June 14th 1699, John, son of Nicholas and Mary Treasure, was christened at St. Sepulchre, London, and the christening of Abel, son of John and Ann Treasure, took place on October 13th 1736 at the same place. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ansgod Tresor, which was dated 1148, The Winton Rolls of Hampshire, during the reign of King Stephen, 'Count of Blois', 1135-1154. 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.