Tesseyman Family History

The origin of the surname is of uncertain origin. One possible derivation is from an altered form of the Continental Germanic personal name Thrasamund, leading to the Middle English Tresmund with a loss of /r/. This is supported by references such as Master Tresmund from 1236 in Patent Rolls (Essex, but referencing a Norfolk archdeacon) and John Tresamond from 1305 in Patent Rolls (Norfolk).

However, the earliest spelling of the Yorks surname ends in -man, which could develop into -mond later, hence, this explanation remains doubtful. Another possibility suggests it might mean ‘servant of Tacy’ (see Tacey). It could alternatively derive from a pet form of the Middle English personal name Tacy combined with the hypocoristic suffix -man.

There is also the theory that it may originate from an unrecorded Middle English *tasseman, meaning ‘purse-maker’, which combines the Old French tasse and Middle English man. This term has been recorded in medieval Flanders; see Debrabandere at Taszman.

Despite these derivations, it remains possible that some bearers from Norfolk and Lincs are connected to the unexplained name mentioned in (1). The complexity of its origins highlights the challenges in tracing the historical lineage of surnames.