Hallo Martin, Thank you for your help - it is very much appreciated. With my TOUCHARDs I seem to have the problem of too much information in France - I can't see the "hedge/copse/bush" for the trees :o) Conversely, with my TABOURDEUXs - too little information. Ahh well, I am off to the Hug Soc in London on Wednesday - my first trip - they have a research file of TABOURDEUXs and VIALs that I am hoping to be able to make copies of. Suzie Morley -----Original Message----- Jean Tosti's views on the origin of the surname TOUCHARD may be roughly translated as follows: TOUCHARD - name that is found in the Sarthe [also in 86,37] TOUCHART [60,61] is a variation There are two possible origins: either...[someone who guides draught oxen] or a toponym derived from "touche" [hedge/copse,bush] Morlet suggests that it is a nickname for an aggressive and/or violent man.