This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'at the townend' or town's-end, from residence there by. The 'h' in Townshend was an early intrusion. Bridgeend, Pounds-end, Greaves-end, Woods-end, Streets-end, and Wickend are all found with the same intrusive —h— in mediaeval registers (v. my English Surnames, 3rd edit, for a long list).' At the town-end is still a familiar phrase in the North of England.

Geoffrey de le Tuneshende, Norfolk, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Henry atte Tunesende, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Alice atte Tunishende, Buckinghamshire, ibid.

Richard de la Tuneshend, Close Roll, 2 Edward I.

Ricardus atte ye Thounhende, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes atte Tonehende, 1379: ibid.

1528. Married — Thomas Townesend and Anne Bradeshawe: St. Dionis Backchurch.

1760. Married — Thomas Townshend, Esq., and Elizabeth Powys: St. George, Hanover Square.

(English) Dweller at the End of A Town (Village) [Old English tún, genit. túnes + ende] Henry atte Tunesende.—Hundred Rolls A somonour is a rennere up and doun. . .

And is y-bet [beaten] at everich tounes ende.—Chaucer, Cant. Tales, D 1283, 85.

Unto yone hospitall at the tounisend.— Henryson, Test. of Cresseid, 382.

The intrus. -h- in the second form of this name is found as early as the 13th cent.

"The town's end," from residence there. The forms in the Hundred Bolls, are Ate-Touneshend, Ate-Tunesend, Ate-Tunishende, &c. The analogous name Attestreteshend-"at the street's end"-is found in the same rolls, as are also Ad Caput Villae, Ad Finem Villae, and Bynethetoun, i.e., "beneath the town." This surname, though of essentially plebeian origin, emerged from the ignobile vulgus at an early period after its adoption, being traced to the year 1377, in gentle degree at Snoring Magna, co. Norfolk. In 1398, the ancestor of the Marquis Townshend was at Rainham, the present seat of the family. Leland speaking of the head of the house, in his day, says: "the grandfather of Townsende now living, was a mean man of substance." Mr. Shirley calls this a ' defamatory account,' and so it may be regarded, if taken in the sense of a wealthy miser; but the old Itinerarian doubtless means a person of moderate fortune, which is no disparagement. See Noble and Gentle Men.

Local. One who lived at the end of the town.

Or Baynard, descends from Osbert de Bellomont, son of Geoffry Baynard (see Marsham, Beaumont), and father of Roscelin de B. and Alexander de Draiton. The latter had-1. Hermer de Draiton, whose descendant Geoffry de Bellomont owned Taverham and Drayton t. Edward I.; 2. Baldric de Taverham, father of William Fitz-Baldric, named De Taverham or Ad Caput Villse, who in 1200 divided his lands at Taverham with Geoffry de Bellomont, his brother (RCR. ii. 171). He was father of Thomas ad Caput Villæ or Townsend living t. Henry III., who bore the arms still used, which are derived from those of Baynard or Bellomont (a chevron). His son William Townshend was father of Thomas of Snoring Magna 1377, whose son, John Townshend, held part of a fee at Rainham from the honour of Clare. His son, Sir Roger, was seated at Rainham c. 1400 (Blomefield, vii. 141): hence the Marquises Townshend and Viscounts Sydney.