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Gleed This interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a nickname from the Middle English "glede", Olde English pre 7th Century "gilda, gleoda" meaning "kite", probably with reference to the bird's rapacious qualities. This is an example of that sizable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. The nicknames were given in the first instance with reference to a variety of characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, supposed resemblance to an animal's or bird's appearance or disposition or habits. The surname dates back to the early 13th Century (see below). Further recordings include Thomas le Glede (1277) in the Assize Court Rolls of Somerset, and Richard le Glyde (1296) in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex. Variant forms of the surname are Glide, Glede, and Gleed. London Church Records show the marriage of John Glide to Sara Halfherd on April 23rd 1622 at St. Giles Cripplegate, and the christening of Anna, daughter of Richard Glyde, on October 10th 1624 at St. Vedast Foster Lane. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Walter Glide, which was dated 1225, in the "Assize Court Rolls of Somerset", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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.