This unusual and interesting surname has three origins; firstly, it may be of Norman origin, a locational name from the barony of Muschamp in the North of England, deriving from the Old French "mus", flies, plus "champ", field, hence "dweller in, or near, the field of flies". Secondly, it may be of Anglo-Saxon origin, from Muskham North and South in Nottinghamshire, deriving from the Olde English pre 7th Century "mus-camp" meaning mouse-infested field. The placename is recorded as "Muscham" in the Domesday Book of 1086. Finally, it may be of early medieval English origin, a diminutive of the name Mutch, a nickname for a large person, from the Middle English "moche, muche" meaning big. The surname dates back to the early 13th Century (see below). Early recordings include Robert de Muschance, of the County of Edenburk in Scotland, who rendered homage in 1296. The spelling of the surname ranges from Mustin, Mustian, and Mustane to Mustchin and Mutchin. Sussex Church Records list the marriage of Solomon Mustchin to Charlotte Martlew on January 5th 1795 in Boxgrove, and the christening of Harvey, son of Henry and Elizabeth Mustchin, on November 7th 1854, in Southwick. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Sir Engram de Muscens, which was dated 1215 - 1245, witness recorded in the "Calendar of Documents related to Scotland", during the reign of King Alexander 11 of Scotland, 1214 - 1249. 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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