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True - Name

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This long-established surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and has three distinct possible sources, each with its own history and derivation. Firstly, True may belong to that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These nicknames were originally given with reference to a variety of personal characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, and mental and moral characteristics. The derivation, in this instance, is from the Olde English pre 7th Century "treowe" (Middle English "trow(e)", faithful, steadfast), denoting a loyal, steadfast person. Early examples of the surname from this source include: Ralph Truwe (Kent, 1185), and Henry le Trewe (Wiltshire, 1327). The second possibility is that True is a topographical name from residence by some prominent tree, deriving from the Olde English "treow" (Middle English "trew, trow"), tree, or from Trew (Cornwall), or True (Devon), localities named with this word. One Hugo de la Truwe, and a Laurence atte Trowe were noted in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset and Sussex in 1250 and 1332 respectively. Finally, the name may be topographic for someone who lived near a depression in the ground, from the Middle English "trow", trough, hollow, or from Trow Farm (Wiltshire). On April 10th 1551, Anne, daughter of William True, was christened at St. Martin Ludgate, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rannulfus Truue, which was dated 1180, in the "Pipe Rolls of Wiltshire", 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.