« Reply #2 on: Monday 09 June 08 03:33 BST (UK) »
From pronouncing it out loud, I think it is either Germanic or Baltic in origin. If the instances of the name are all London late-1800's on, then quite possibly the name could originate from a seaman (seamen?) from these regions. I think you may need to think laterally for alternative spellings.
Regards,
Darren
I am Australian, from all the lands I come (my ancestors, at least!)
Pine/Pyne, Dowdeswell, Kempster, Sando/Sandoe/Sandow, Nancarrow, Hounslow, Youatt, Richardson, Jarmyn, Oxlade, Coad, Kelsey, Crampton, Lindner, Pittaway, and too many others to name.
Devon, Dorset, Gloucs, Cornwall, Warwickshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire, Wilts, Germany, Sweden, and of course London, to name a few.