Tozer is a surname commonly believed to have originated in

Devon Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devon is ...

South West England South West England, or the South West of England, is one of nine official regions of England. It consists of the counties of Bristol, Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly), Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Cities and ...

. It is a reference to the occupation of

carding Carding is a mechanical process that disentangles, cleans and intermixes fibres to produce a continuous web or sliver (textiles), sliver suitable for subsequent processing. This is achieved by passing the fibres between differentially moving su ...

of wool which was originally performed by the use of teasels (Latin ''carduus''), via the

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

word ''tōsen'', to tease ut The surname has variants, including the lesser-known "Tozier".

The Tozers of Moretonhampstead

According to the

Moretonhampstead Moretonhampstead (anciently ''Moreton Hampstead'') is a market town, parish and ancient manor in Devon, situated on the north-eastern edge of Dartmoor, within the Dartmoor National Park. The parish now includes the hamlet of Doccombe (), and i ...

History Society, the Tozer family was, by 1332, established at Howton, which was part of the manor of Moreton until it was alienated. A 15th-century record in the

Public Record Office The Public Record Office (abbreviated as PRO, pronounced as three letters and referred to as ''the'' PRO), Chancery Lane in the City of London, was the guardian of the national archives of the United Kingdom from 1838 until 2003, when it was m ...

(C.1/56/207) records a legal dispute between John and William Tozer over "Houghton in the parish of Moreton". There are several gravestones and a chest tomb to later members of the Tozer family in the churchyard of Moretonhampstead parish church. The properties of Great Howton and Howton Langhill are also recorded as being in the possession of members of the Tozer family.

Notable people with the surname

A.W. Tozer Aiden Wilson Tozer (April 21, 1897 – May 12, 1963) was an American Christian pastor, author, magazine editor, and spiritual mentor. For his accomplishments, he received honorary doctorates from Wheaton and Houghton colleges. Early life Toz ...

(1897–1963), American pastor *

Aaron Tozer Aaron Tozer (born 1788, died 1854) was a captain in the Royal Navy. Life Tozer was born in 1788. He entered the Navy in June 1801 on board , with Captain Thomas Baker, on the Irish station. He afterwards served in the East Indies and on the home ...

(1788–1854), British naval officer *

Aiden Wilson Tozer Aiden Wilson Tozer (April 21, 1897 – May 12, 1963) was an American Christian pastor, author, magazine editor, and spiritual mentor. For his accomplishments, he received honorary doctorates from Wheaton and Houghton colleges. Early life Toz ...

(1897–1963), American Protestant pastor, preacher and author *

Augustus Edmonds Tozer Augustus Edmonds Tozer F.R.C.O., A.R.C.M. (13 January 1857 – 4 March 1910) was an English composer and organist. Early life Augustus Tozer was born in Little Sutton,Grove, George 'Dictionary of Music and Musicians'. Oxford: Oxford University ...

(1857–1910), English composer and organist *

Ben Tozer Ben Peter Anthony Tozer (born 1 March 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays for side Wrexham as a central defender. Career Swindon Town Born in Plymouth, Tozer began his career as a youth player at his local club Plymouth Argyl ...

(born 1990), English footballer, currently playing for Wrexham AFC * William "Bill" Tozer (1882–1955), baseball player * Bruce Tozer (1926–2021), Australian cricketer *

Claude Tozer Claude John Tozer DSO (27 September 1890 – 21 December 1920) was an Australian medical doctor and first-class cricketer who played for New South Wales. He was the nephew of Australian Test cricketer Percie Charlton. Early years and backg ...

(1890–1920), Australian doctor and cricketer *

Dave Tozer Dave Tozer is an American Grammy Award-winning record producer, songwriter, and musician. He has worked with several R&B, hip-hop, rock and pop artists including John Legend, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, John Mayer, Snoop Do ...

, American music producer, songwriter and musician * Edwin E. Tozer (born 1943), British computer scientist, management consultant, and author * Elias Tozer (1825–73), Devon journalist, poet and collector of folk stories. *

Elishama Tozer Elishama Tozer (July 3, 1741 – 1833) was an American politician from New York (state), New York. Life He was born on July 3, 1741, in Lyme, New Hampshire, the son of Thomas Tozer (born 1711) and Deborah (Bates) Tozer (born 1718). In 1761, he mar ...

(1741–1790), New York politician *

Faye Tozer Faye Louise Tozer (born 14 November 1975) is an English singer, dancer, and actress, best known as a member of British pop group Steps. Career Music Steps are a pop group that have had a series of charted singles between 1997 and 2020. Their ...

(born 1975) English singer-songwriter with the band Steps *

Geoffrey Tozer Geoffrey Peter Bede Hawkshaw Tozer (5 November 195421 August 2009) was an Australian classical pianist and composer. A child prodigy, he composed an opera at the age of eight and became the youngest recipient of a Churchill Fellowship award at 13 ...

(1954–2009), Australian pianist *

Henry Fanshawe Tozer The Reverend Henry Fanshawe Tozer, FBA (18 May 1829 – 2 June 1916) was a British writer, teacher, traveller, and geographer. His 1897 ''History of Ancient Geography'' was well-regarded. Biography Tozer was born in Plymouth, Devon, the eldes ...

(1829–1916), English writer, teacher, and traveler * Henry Tozer (priest) (1602–1650), English priest and academic * Horace Tozer (1844–1916), Australian lawyer and politician *

John Tozer John Carmichael Tozer (23 June 1922 – 23 April 1990) was an Australian public servant and politician who served as a Liberal Party member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia from 1974 to 1980, representing North Province. Tozer w ...

(1922–1990), Australian politician *

Joseph Tozer Joseph Rose Tozer (1881 in Birmingham, Warwickshire – 1955) was a British actor. Musical theatre *''Houp La!'' (1916) Partial filmography * '' The Brass Bottle'' (1914) * '' A Park Lane Scandal'' (1915) * '' The Answer'' (1916) * ''The Me ...

(1881–1955), British actor *

Keith Tozer Keith Tozer is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, American Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association. He is currently the commissioner of the Major Arena Soccer League. Play ...

, American soccer player *

Kira Tozer Kira Tozer (born December 6, 1984) is a Canadian voice actress for cartoons, anime and video games. Her major roles include Minka Mark on ''Littlest Pet Shop'' and Kagome Higurashi in the 2012 anime, '' Inuyasha: The Final Act''. She married i ...

, Canadian voice actress * Norman Tozer (1934–2010), British television and radio presenter and reporter * Solomon Tozer (disappeared 1848), Sergeant of Royal Marines * Tim Tozer (born 1959), British businessman *

Vivian Tozer Vivian Hoyles Tozer (1870–1954) was a solicitor and politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. Early life Vivian Hoyles Tozer was born on 27 May 1870 in Gympie, the son of Horace Tozer (a ...

(1870–1954), Australian politician *

William Tozer William George Tozer (1829–1899) was a colonial bishop in the 19th century. He was born in Teignmouth and educated at St John's College, Oxford and ordained in 1854. His first post was a curacy at St Mary Magdalene Munster Square. Later he wa ...

(1829–1899), British clergyman, bishop of Nyasaland
Phil Tozer
- colorectal surgeon

References

{{surname English-language surnames