This name is of Cornish topographic origin for one who dwelled by a cave or recess on a headland or promontory. The name derives from the Celtic (Cornish) "pen", a point or promontory, plus the Olde English "halh", a "recess" and the adjective "urach", moist or "earthly". The name, with variant spellings Penhalurick, Penhaleurack and Penhalewrick, etc. is particularly well recorded in Cornish Church Registers from the latter half of the 16th Century, (see below). On November 5th 1760 Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Penhallurick, was christened at St. Gluvias' Church and on August 28th 1780 Francis Penhallurick and Elizabeth Pearce were married in Falmouth. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jenet Penalurick married John Thomas, which was dated September 12th 1575 at Wendron, Cornwall, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess" 1558 - 1603. 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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