This interesting name, with variant spellings Tey, Tye, Tea, etc, is of English topographical origin from residence by an extensive common pasture, (Old English "teag", Medieval English "tye", a common pasture), or from residence near a river of piece of land surrounded by streams. The derivation in the second case is from a misdivision of the Old English phrase "at(te)ea" meaning "at a river". The surname from the former source was first recorded in the latter part of the 13th Century, (see below).
One, Peter atte-tye, witness, appears in "The Norfolk Fine Court Rolls", dated 1337. Robert atte Ea, The Assize Court Rolls of Staffordshire, (1351), was the first recorded namebearer from the latter source. In some instances the name may specifically derive from residence by The River Tees in North East England. On January 1st 16366, Anna Tee, an infant, was christened in St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugh de la Tye, which was dated 1273 - "The Hundred Rolls of Sussex, during the reign of King Edward 1, "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. 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.
Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of tee.
In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname tee.
If you or someone you know bears the surname tee, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.
Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of tee.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of tee, and at the same time, of surnames in general.