Later an abbey church was built in Wells in 705 by Aldhelm, first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Sherborne during the reign of King Ine of Wessex.
It was dedicated to St Andrew and stood at the site of the cathedral's cloisters, where some excavated remains can be seen.
This was dated 1177, in the pipe rolls of the county of Norfolk, during the reign of Henry II of England, 1154–1189.
Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original.
Early examples of church register recordings include Robert Wells, who was christened on January 7, 1557, at Christchurch Greyfriars, in the city of London, whilst Richard Wellman was recorded at St Georges Chapel, Hanover Square, Westminster, on March 1, 1730.