Starman

The surname Starman is of English origin, first appearing in the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words "steorra" meaning "star" and "mann" meaning "man". This suggests that the name may have been an occupational one, referring to someone who studied or worked with the stars, such as an astronomer or astrologer.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Starman can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, dated 1587. The entry refers to a William Starman who was baptized in that year. Another early record is from the village of Long Melford in Suffolk, where a John Starman is listed in the local tax rolls of 1602.

In the 17th century, the name appears to have spread to other parts of England. In the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1662, a Thomas Starman is listed as a resident of the village of Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham. The name is also found in the parish records of St. Peter's Church in Leeds, Yorkshire, where a Mary Starman was buried in 1681.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Starman was Robert Starman (1620-1692), a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol. He is recorded as having served as the Mayor of Bristol in 1678. Another prominent figure was John Starman (1675-1732), a mathematician and astronomer who worked as a professor at the University of Cambridge.

The 18th century saw the name Starman appearing in various parts of England, as well as in Scotland and Ireland. In 1756, a James Starman was born in the village of Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland. He later became a renowned clockmaker and his timepieces are still sought after by collectors. Another notable individual from this period was Elizabeth Starman (1735-1819), a poet and essayist who was born in Dublin, Ireland.

In the 19th century, the Starman surname can be found in various records from across the British Isles. One example is William Starman (1812-1887), a surveyor and cartographer who was born in the village of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire. He is credited with producing some of the earliest detailed maps of the area. Another individual of note was Sarah Starman (1839-1921), a teacher and philanthropist who founded several schools for underprivileged children in London.

As the centuries passed, the Starman name continued to spread and evolve, with variations in spelling and pronunciation appearing in different regions. However, its origins and connection to the stars and celestial bodies have remained a consistent theme throughout its history.