Slagter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Slagter was first found in Gloucestershire in either Upper Slaughter or Lower Slaughter. Contrary to the rather obvious trade name as one would expect, this local name dates back to these parishes which in turn, date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where they were collectively known as Sclostre. 1 The place name is thought to have literally meant "muddy place," from the Old English word "slohtre." 2 Another source believes that the place name was "perhaps derived from the name of a river." 3

A rather rare surname in early days, the first on record was Robert de Scloctres who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1191. Eynsham, Oxfordshire was home to Robert de Sloutre in 1251 and Mariota de la Sloghtere was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. Thomas le Slaghterere was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1296 and Henry le Sclaufterer was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327. 4

Because of the varied villages of the two latter entries, the author believes that these point the origin of the name as occupational in nature from the Middle English word "slahter" meaning "slaughter."

The family is "from one of the two parishes so called co. Gloucester; perhaps derived from the name of a river. There is a place called Slaughterford co. Wiltshire. Slaughter may also sometimes be the same as Slatter, which has been derived from the Danish, slagter, a butcher. Slaughter is the name of a butcher at Notting Hill, Middlesex." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Ballizus de Sloutre in Gloucestershire at that time. John de Sloghtre was listed in the Close Rolls, 26 Edward III (during the 26th year of King Edward III's reign.) 5