This interesting surname has two possible origins. Firstly, it may have originated from the male given name manasseh or the hebrew menashe, meaning "one who causes to forget". Manasserus (without surname) appears in the Red Book of the Exchequer in Suffolk (1166). One, Walter Manser is registered in the Liber Feodorum of Suffolk in 1250 and one, Alan Mauncer is recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex (1296). It may also have originated as an occupational surname for someone who made handles for agricultural and domestic implements, from an agent derivative of the Anglo-Norman French "mance" meaning a handle. One, Richard le Mancher is recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of London (1292) and Nicholas le Mauncer, registered in the Calendar of Letter Books (1297). On July 8th 1683, Charles, son of Charles and Marie Mance, was christened at the French Huguenot Church, Threadneedle Street, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ranulfus filius Manser, which was dated 1221, Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, during the reign of King Henry 111, "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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.

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