Derived from the Olde pre 7th Century German 'Sturmi' and introduced by the Normans at the 1066 invasion as 'Estourmi or Estourdi'. The name was originally a nickname for one who was bad tempered or troublesome!. Despite its somewhat unusual origin, the name was popular and the various alternative spellings loosely developed as Sturmidus de Cotenham 1086, The Doomesday Book, Cambridge - Sturmy de Straton 1201, Somerset, - Richard Stormy 1296, Sussex, - other spellings recorded being the Esturmi, Esurmit, Turmit, Estormid, and in the modern spelling Sturdee, Sturmey, Stormey and Sturney. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugo Sturmi. which was dated 1192, The Pipe Rolls of Berkshire. during the reign of King Richard I, The Lionheart, 1189 - 1199. 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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