This name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational surname from the place called Sawbridge in Warwickshire. The placename is recorded as "Salwebridge" in the Domesday Book of 1086, and means "the bridge by the sallows", derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century "salh" and "sealh", meaning "sallow", with "brycg", bridge. It is also possible that some bearers of the modern name may derive it from the Olde English personal name "Saebeorht", which translates as "sea-bright" and was the name of a 7th Century king of Essex. The place called "Sawbridgeworth" in Hertfordshire was recorded as "Sabrixteworde" in the Domesday Book, and means "Saeberorht's farm or settlement". One James Sawbridge married Margaret Potter on November 15th 1570 at Banbury in Oxfordshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ysaac de Salebrigg, which was dated 1221, witness in the "Assize Rolls of Warwickshire", during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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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