This interesting surname of English origin is either a metonymic occupational name for a huntsman or a nickname for an exceptionally skilled huntsman, deriving from the Middle English "chase" meaning "hunt", Old French "chaceur, chaceour" "hunter". The surname dates back to the early 14th Century, (see below). Further recordings include one John Chase (1393) "The Register of the Freemen of the city of York". Margery, daughter of Thomas and Catherine Chase, was christened on December 12th 1545 at St. Abbots, Kensington, Robert, son of Richard and Joan Chase, was christened in 1566, and their son Henry was christened in 1569, both at Willesden, London. John Chase married Ales Hammon on January 4th 1567 at St. Mary Aldermary, London. One John Chase (1810-1879) was a water colour painter. He exhibited chiefly architectural views between 1826-1878. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Chace, which was dated 1327,in the "Subsidy Rolls of Essex", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy" 1327 - 1377. 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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