Last name: Achurch

The famous Victorian etymologist Canon C W Bardsley indicated that this name was both residential and locational with some surname holders descended from the village of Achurch in the county of Northamptonshire. In the 1086 Domesday Book the village is shown as 'Asechirce', which does not mean 'at the church' but 'Asa's church', with 'Asa' being a tribal personal that still survives. Modern research indicates that the phrase 'atte church' was occupational and described one who worked at the church, rather than somebody who lived near by. Medieval villages grouped themselves around the church as a matter of course, it could have been said that everybodys 'postal' address was 'atte church'. The rarity of the surname proves that it had a more specific meaning. Early examples of the surname recording include Emma ate Cherch of Oxford, in the 1273 Hundred Rolls, Robert atte Chyrche of Norfolk, also in the 1273 Rolls, whilst John Attecherch was the rector of Merton in Norfolk, also in the same year of 1273. Later examples showing the marvellous variety of spelling usually associated with the prominent dialects of the late medieval period, are those of William Attechirche of County Norfolk in the twenty ninth year of the reign of King Edward 1st (1302), whilst 'Agnes, wyff to Pall Atkyrke' is recorded in the Yorkshire Visitation of the year 1520, in the reign of KIng Henry V111 (1510 -1547). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert ate Church, which was dated 1273, the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, during the reign of King Edward 1st, known as '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.

Visitor Comments

Roland Achurch
I can trace my family tree back as far as the early 1600's. My father was born at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, -- quite close to the village of 'Achurch'. We are very interested in any information we can acquire with regard to the family name.

David Wilson
Hey Roland, my Mother's maiden name is Achurch and we have acquired a book somehow of the entire family history with an extended family tree. I am not sure how we got it but if you really wanted it I could send you the ISBN code at some point

Roland Achurch
Hello David, Sorry for the delay in replying but due to work haven't had time spend time on the web. I'm interested in having the ISBN code please. We have three versions of the family tree. One copy was produced by a lady from North Lincolnshire as part of her university degree, another one from peter Achurch in Australia and the third by a Tony Achurch from Peterborough who only did his family's section of the family tree.

Steven
Hi Roland I am a Steven Achurch would love as much information as we can share.

paul
Hi David, My wife's an Achurch and we have a family tree that has information going back to the 1600's. Would love the ISBN code too.