Lush - Name

This very interesting surname recorded as Lush, Lusher, Lushee, Lushey, Lushy and possibly others, has at least two possible sources. Although now regarded as English, it is possible that the origin at least for some nameholders is French. If so it is probably from the word 'huissier,' itself from the even earlier pre 10th century 'le ush' meaning an usher or door keeper, one whose position it was to introduce people into the lords chamber. The position was one of great status, and in ceremonial processions, that remains the position today. The second possibility is that it is a derivation of the pre 7th century Olde English word 'lycce' pronounced 'lus,' and meaning a meadow. In ancient times a meadow had the more specific meaning of land that was flooded in winter. As with the surname Lushey, this would have described a person who lived either at a village so named, or more likely at a farm (lycce-eg) which stood on an island (-eg) by a meadow. However if there ever was such a place, we have not been able to find any positive proof. Early examples of recordings include the marriage of Elizabeth Lush and Henry Cooke in 1575, at Carisbrooke, in Hampshire, whilst George Lushee married Ann Roberts at St Botolphs without Bishopgate, in the city of London, on August 18th 1634. The first recorded spelling of the family name may be that of William Lussier. This was dated 1243 in the Assize Court of Somerset. during the reign of King Henry IIIrd of England, 1216-1272. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.