Ventris - Name

This unusual name derives from the Middle English 12th century 'Adventurous', itself a derivation of the French 'Aventure' - a nickname surname for a bold warrior, a person of daring qualities. The name is also found in Scotland as 'Venters' although not before the 17th century suggesting a possible Huguenot association. The name development has included Edward Ventres (1642 Suffolk Rolls) and Mrs Ventris (1674 The Hearth Tax, Suffolk) whilst in 1793 Thomas Ventris was recorded in Hempstead, Essex. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Francis Ventreys which was dated 1600 The Fines Court of Huntingdon during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I 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.