This interesting surname has a number of possible origins. Firstly, it may have originated as an occupational surname from the old French "mire" meaning a physician, as is shown in the first recording of the surname (see below). It may also be a topographical surname from the old Norse "myrr" meaning marsh; hence "dweller by the marsh", as in Hugo del Mire registered in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire (1274). It may also be a possibility that it is an occupational surname, originally for a village headman or similar official, from the Middle High German "meier". A Coat of Arms was granted to the Miere family of Normandy, consisting of two red lions rampant regardant on a silver field, and on a blue chief a golden crescent. On October 15th 1748, Martha, daughter of William and Sarah Miere, was christened in St. George's in the East, Stepney, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Herewardus le Mire, Medicus, which was dated 1212, Curia Regis Rolls, Berkshire, during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. 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.