This very interesting name is apparently an anglicized variant of the Olde French 'Clouseaux' and may have Huguenot antecedents. The earliest recording appears to be 1647 some twenty years after the original 'purge' in France in 1625-1629. The most interesting recording is that of Cornelius Clewsle of London in 1682 as this would seem to provide the link with Clouseau. The name (in France) is locational and probably means, 'the place of the spear makers', it is from the Orleans district. Other recordings are Clisshold (1768), Clisold (1702) and Clysold (1700). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Clissold. which was dated 1676 Recorded as married in London. during the reign of King Charles II 'The Merry Monarch' 1660-1685. 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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