This interesting name may derive from three possible origins. It may be of English locational origin from "Battle", a place in Suffolk, appearing as "La batailge" in the Domesday Book of 1086, which got its name from being the site of the Battle of Hastings, 1066. The name may also be of English topographical origin, for a dweller by the site of any major battle. It may be of English or French occupational origin from the Medieval English and Old French word "bataille", meaning "warrior". Finally "Battle" may, according to one particular source, derive as a diminutive or pet form of "Bartholomew", itself a Medieval personal name from the Aramaic name "bar-Talmay", son of Talmay. One William de la Bataille appeared in the 1196 Curia Rolls of Northumberland, while Black records a John de Labatil in 1245 at Inchaffray, Scotland. Richard de la Batayle was mentioned in the Berkshire Hundred Rolls of 1273, and the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex list one Simon le Batel in 1327. Anis Battell married John Ragen on July 16th 1559, at St. Mary Woolchurch Haw, London, while Edward, son of John and Maudlin Battle was christened at James Clerkenwell, London on March 7th 1669. Anthoine Battaille (French Huguenot) was christened at Threadneedle Street, London on July 20th 1729. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hubert Bataile, which was dated circa 1140, "A Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds", Essex, during the reign of King Stephen, known as "Count of Blois", 1135 - 1154. 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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