Nobles - Name

This interesting surname is of English, Scottish and French origin and is from a nickname derived from the Middle English (1200 - 1500), Old French "noble", high-born, distinguished, illustrious, from the Latin "nobilis", referring to someone of lofty birth or character, or ironically to someone of Exceedingly humble birth and station. This is an example of that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. The nickname were given in the first instance with reference to a variety of characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, mental and moral characteristics, supposed resemblance to an animal or bird's appearance or disposition, habits or dress, and occupation. The modern surname can be found as Noble and Nobles the patronymic form. One George Noble aged 22 yrs., was an early emigrant to America, leaving London on board the "William", bound for St. Christopher's, in September 1635. The christening was recorded in London of Damyan, son of William Noble, on July 17th 1544 at St. Nicholas Acons. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Peter Noble, which was dated 1185, in the "Records of the Templars in England in the 12th Centuries, Warwickshire", 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.