FOOTNOTES

1.Proofs of the ignorance of authors and authoresses in regard to surnames might be cited to any extent. The novel ofAurora Floydis a case in point. When we read the account there given of the ancestry of the heroine, her Scotch descent, &c., and then remember that Floyd is but a corruption (through the difficulty of pronunciation) of the Welsh Lloyd, we may well be pardoned a smile. Walter Scott would never have so committed himself.

2.The following extract will show how patronymic surnames changed at first with each successive generation:—‘Dispensation for RichardJohnson,sonofJohnRichardson, of Fishlake, and Evott daug: of Robert Palmer, who have married, although related in the fourth degree. Issued from Rome by Francis, Cardinal of St. Susanna, 30th March, 13th Boniface IX. (1402).’ Test. Ebor. vol. iii. p. 318.

3.Thus we find in theManchester Directoryfor 1861, ‘Napoleon Bonaparte Sutton, tripe-seller,’ and ‘Napoleon Stott, skewer-maker.’ Born, doubtless, during the earlier years of the present century, their parents have thus stamped upon their lives the impress of that fearful interest which the name of Napoleon then excited.

4.‘Ithell,’ though now unknown, was once a familiar Christian name. ‘Evan ap Ithell,’ Z.; Jevan ap Ithell, Z.; Ann Ithell, H.H.; Ithell Wynn, A.A.I. ‘Bethell’ as a surname is still sufficiently common in the Principality to keep up a remembrance of the fact.

5.‘Howel’ or ‘Hoel’ was at one time a favourite Welsh baptismal name. We have a ‘Howel le Waleys,’ that is, ‘Howel the Welshman,’ or, as we should now say, ‘Howell Wallace,’ mentioned in the Parliamentary writs of 1313. As I shall show by-and-by, our ‘Powells’ may in some cases, at least, be of more English origin.

6.‘Ot’ and ‘et’ sometimes became ‘elot’ and ‘elet’—‘Robert Richelot’ (w. 15) (from Richard); Crestolot de Eratis (d. d.) (from Christian); ‘Walter Hughelot’ (A.); ‘John Huelot’ (A.) (from Hugh); Constance Hobelot (A.) (from Hobbe); ‘Hamelet de la Burste’ (Cal. and Inv. of Treasury); ‘Richard son of Hamelot’ (A.A. 2) (from Hamon). ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Hewlett’ are the commonest representatives of this class in our existing nomenclature. As a diminutive suffix ‘let’ is found in such words as ‘leaflet,’ ‘bracelet,’ ‘hamlet,’ or ‘ringlet.’

7.The French have, among others of this class, ‘Guyon,’ ‘Philipon,’ ‘Caton’ (Catharine), and ‘Louison.’ Sir Walter Scott, ever most accurate in his nomenclature, makes ‘Marthon’ to be domestic to Hameline de Croye (Quentin Durward). None of these reached England.

8.As a Christian name, however, fashion has again brought it into favour. While the memories that cluster round the name of the Iron Duke live, ‘Arthur’ can never die. Indeed, there are as many ‘Arthur-Wellesleys’ now as there were simple ‘Arthurs’ before the battle of Waterloo.

9.One John Godescalde was in 1298 forbidden to dwell in Oxford, owing to some riot between Town and Gown (Mun. Acad. Oxon. p. 67).

10.Herbert fil. Godman occurs in the ‘Cal. Rot. Pat. inTurri Londonensi.’ As a personal name it will belong to the same class as ‘Bateman,’ ‘Coleman,’ ‘Sweteman.’ Such entries as ‘Bateman Gille,’ ‘Thomas Batemanson,’ ‘Richard Batmonson,’ ‘Coleman le Hen,’ ‘Swetman fil. Edith,’ or ‘Sweteman Textor,’ are not unfrequent. ‘Tiddeman’ is of the same class. ‘Tydeman le Swarte’ and ‘Tiddeman Bokere’ both occur in the fourteenth century. All the above are firmly established as surnames. Having referred to ‘Sweetman,’ I may add that ‘Sweet’ itself was a baptismal name. ‘Swet le Bone’ (A), ‘John Swetson’ (‘State Papers, Domestic, 1619–1623’), ‘Adam Swetcoc’ (A).

11.While all these fuller forms are obsolete as surnames, we must not forget that most of them still exist curtailed. From early days ‘kettle’ in compounds became ‘kill’ or ‘kell.’ Thus ‘Thurkettle’ has left us ‘Thurkell’ and ‘Thurkill,’ already mentioned. ‘Osketyl’ has become ‘Oskell’ (‘Oskell Somenour,’ A. A. 3, vol. ii. p. 184). ‘Ulchetel’ was registered as ‘Ulkell’ and ‘Ulchel’ (W. 12, pp. 19, 20). Our ‘Arkells’ (Sim. fil. Arkill, E.), I doubt not, are corruptions of ‘Ansketyl’ or ‘Oscetyl’ or ‘Arketel.’

12.Matthew Paris, under date 1047, says of the bishopric of Selsey, ‘Defuncto Grinketel, Selesiensi pontifice, Hecca regis capellanus successit.’

13.In these same Writs occurs also the name of ‘Hugh Serelson.’ It is possible they are patronymics formed from ‘Cyril,’ but ‘Serle’ is the more probable parent.

14.The ‘Parliamentary Writs’ give us ‘Matthew Arnyet,’ the ‘Hundred Rolls,’ ‘Milisent Arnet.’

15.The ‘Hundred Rolls’ give us a pet addendum in the entry ‘Walter Auberkin.’

16.‘Richard Amberson’ and ‘Robert Amberson’ may be seen in Barret’sHistory of Bristol(index). If not sprung from ‘Ambrose,’ they will be but a variation of ‘Emberson,’ and one more instance of the change of vowels referred to a few pages further on.

17.As with ‘Brice’ so it is to the Danes we owe many entries in our older records of which ‘Christian’ is the root. As a baptismal name it has always been most common in those parts of the eastern coast of England which have been brought into contact with Denmark by trade. Such names as ‘Joan Cristina,’ ‘Brice Cristian,’ or ‘John fil. Christian,’ frequently occur in mediæval registers. Their descendants are now found as ‘Christian,’ ‘Christy,’ and ‘Christison.’

18.As a proof that ‘Andrew’ and ‘Drew’ were distinct names, we may cite a fact recorded in Mr. Riley’sMemorials of London. In the year 1400, Drew Barentyn, twice Lord Mayor, came before the Council, asking to have his name ‘Drew’ set down in the list of those who possessed the freedom of the city, the scribe having entered it as ‘Andrew.’—pp. 554, 555.

19.‘Warren le Latimer’ occurs in the ‘Rolls of Parliament,’ and ‘Fulco Fitz-Warren’ in the ‘Cal. Rot. Pat.’ inTurri Londonensi.

20.Ivo de Usegate was Bailiff of York in 1271. A few years after we find the Church of Askam Richard, close to the city, given by William de Archis and Ivetta his wife to the Nunnery of Monkton. In 1729 Alicia Iveson was buried in St. Martin’s, Micklegate. Thus in the one city we have memorials of the male, female, and hereditary use of this name.

21.‘Guido,’ as ‘Wydo,’ is found in such entries as ‘Will. fil. Wydo’ (A), or ‘Will. fil. Wydonis’ (E), hence ‘Widowson’ and ‘Widdowson.’

22.Matthew Rowlett was Master of the Mint to Henry VIII. (See Pro. Ord. Privy Council.)

23.‘Robinet of the Hill’ (Y). ‘Richard Robynet’ (H). ‘William Robertot’ (A).

24.We find the diminutive of this form in the name of ‘John Dobynette,’ who is mentioned in an inventory of goods, 1463. (Mun. Acad. Oxon.)

25.The diminutive ‘Richelot’ was by no means unknown in England. ‘Rikelot, tenant at Wickham’ (Domesday of St. Paul: Cam. Soc.), ‘Robert Richelot’ (Great Roll of the Pipe), ‘Robert Richelot’ (Feodarum Prioratus Dunelm. Sur. Soc.). ‘Rickett’ is probably a corruption of this.

26.The Norman ‘Diccon’ was corrupted into ‘Diggon.’ Spencer begins one of his pastorals thus, Welsh-like:—‘Diggon Davie, I bid her “Good-day,”Or Diggon her is, or I missay.’‘Diccon’ was popular among the English peasantry from the twelfth to the eighteenth century.

26.The Norman ‘Diccon’ was corrupted into ‘Diggon.’ Spencer begins one of his pastorals thus, Welsh-like:—

‘Diggon Davie, I bid her “Good-day,”Or Diggon her is, or I missay.’

‘Diggon Davie, I bid her “Good-day,”

Or Diggon her is, or I missay.’

‘Diccon’ was popular among the English peasantry from the twelfth to the eighteenth century.

27.A Richard Mileson entered C. C. Coll., Cam., in 1659 (Masters’ Hist. C.C. Coll.). Edward Myleson occurs in the Calendar to Pleadings (Elizabeth).

28.This rivalry seems to have made its mark upon the popular superstitions of our forefathers, for to this day theignis fatuusof our marshy districts is called either ‘Will-a-Wisp’ or ‘Jack-a-Lanthorn.’ It at least reminds us that there was a day when every country clown was either ‘Jack’ or ‘Will.’

29.A certain John Willimote, a taverner, was sworn before the Chancellor of Oxford University to sell good beer, 1434. (Mun. Acad. Oxon., p. 595). ‘Williametta Cantatrix.’ (Rot. Lit. Clausarum).

30.A curious spelling of this is found in the entry, ‘Haunce, the Luter, ii.s—vi.d.’ (Privy Purse Exp. Princess Mary, p. 104.) ‘Hankin Booby’ was the common name for a clown. (Chappell’s English Songs, i. 73.)‘Thus for her love and loss poor Hankin dies,His amorous soul down flies.’Musarum Deliciæ, 1655.

‘Thus for her love and loss poor Hankin dies,His amorous soul down flies.’Musarum Deliciæ, 1655.

‘Thus for her love and loss poor Hankin dies,His amorous soul down flies.’

‘Thus for her love and loss poor Hankin dies,

His amorous soul down flies.’

Musarum Deliciæ, 1655.

31.‘Jack’ was really the nickname of Jacobus or James. Jacques was the common name among the peasantry of France, and as a national sobriquet was to that country what John was to England. On its introduction to ourselves, it seems to have been tacitly accepted as but a synonym for John, and has been used as such ever since.

32.‘Sir John’ (‘sir’ being the simple old-fashioned title of respect, as in ‘sir knight,’ ‘sir king,’ &c.) was the familiar expression for a priest. Bishop Bale speaks of them as ‘babbling Sir Johns.’ Bradford, too, writing on the Mass, asks, ‘Who then, I say, will excuse these mass-gospellers’ consciences? Will the Queen’s highness? She shall then have more to do for herself than, without hearty and speedy repentance, she can ever be able to answer, though Peter, Paul, Mary, James, John, the Pope and all his prelates, take her part, with all the singing “Sir Johns” that ever were, are, and shall be.’—Bishop Bradford’s Works.Park. Soc., p. 391.

33.Thus Thomas Hale, a Puritan, writing in 1660 against May Games, has some verses in which the Maypole is represented as saying—I have a mighty retinue,The scum of all the raskall crewOf fidlers, pedlers, jayle scaped slaves,Of tinkers, turncoats, tospot knaves,Of theeves and scape-thrifts many a one,With bouncing Besse and jolly Jone.

33.Thus Thomas Hale, a Puritan, writing in 1660 against May Games, has some verses in which the Maypole is represented as saying—

I have a mighty retinue,The scum of all the raskall crewOf fidlers, pedlers, jayle scaped slaves,Of tinkers, turncoats, tospot knaves,Of theeves and scape-thrifts many a one,With bouncing Besse and jolly Jone.

I have a mighty retinue,

The scum of all the raskall crew

Of fidlers, pedlers, jayle scaped slaves,

Of tinkers, turncoats, tospot knaves,

Of theeves and scape-thrifts many a one,

With bouncing Besse and jolly Jone.

34.In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries a popular sobriquet for Jane or Joan was ‘Jugg.’ In Espinasses’ ‘Lancashire Worthies,’ Joan, the daughter of the celebrated Dr. Byrom, is familiarly styled ‘Jugg.’ A song of James I.’s reign says—‘Joan, Siss, and Nell, shall all be ladified,Instead of hay carts, in coaches shall ride.’This is Mr. Chappell’s version. (English Songs, i. 327.) In Hunter’s ‘Hallamshire,’ it runs—‘Jugg, Cis, and Nell, shall all be ladified.’A ballad of Queen Anne’s reign represents John, the swain, as singing—‘My heart and all’s at thy command,And tho’ I’ve never a foot of land,Yet six fat ewes and one milch cow,I think, my Jug, is wealth enow.’(Pills to Purge Melancholy, i. 293.)

‘Joan, Siss, and Nell, shall all be ladified,Instead of hay carts, in coaches shall ride.’

‘Joan, Siss, and Nell, shall all be ladified,

Instead of hay carts, in coaches shall ride.’

This is Mr. Chappell’s version. (English Songs, i. 327.) In Hunter’s ‘Hallamshire,’ it runs—

‘Jugg, Cis, and Nell, shall all be ladified.’

A ballad of Queen Anne’s reign represents John, the swain, as singing—

‘My heart and all’s at thy command,And tho’ I’ve never a foot of land,Yet six fat ewes and one milch cow,I think, my Jug, is wealth enow.’(Pills to Purge Melancholy, i. 293.)

‘My heart and all’s at thy command,

And tho’ I’ve never a foot of land,

Yet six fat ewes and one milch cow,

I think, my Jug, is wealth enow.’

(Pills to Purge Melancholy, i. 293.)

35.In theAthenæ Oxoniensisthe account of Martin Marprelate begins ‘John Penry, or Ap-Henry, that is, the son of Henry, better known by the name of Martin Marprelate, or Marpriest, &c.’ (Edit. 1813, vol. i. p. 591.)

36.An uncouth spelling of this is met with in the De Lacy Inquisition, where the entry occurs: ‘Henry, son of Holekyn, for 17½ acres of land, 4s.6d.(Cheth. Soc., p. 12.) ‘King Hal’ is still familiar to us.

37.‘To Garrett Jonson, for shoes, xs.xd.’ ‘To Garratt Jonson, for shoes, iiis.’ (Hous. Exp. Princess Eliz., Cam. Soc., pp. 16–18.)

38.‘The account of Wattare Taylor and Wyllyam Partrynge, beynge churchewardens, in the xxxii. yere of the rayne of Kyng Henry the eighth,A.D.1541.’ (Ludlow: Churchwardens’ Accounts, p. 6, Cam. Soc.)

39.Agnes Antonison is found in the ‘Proc. in Chancery.’ (Elizabeth.)

40.Fuller, in hisBook of Worthies, writes:—‘St. Anthony is universally known for the patron of hogs, having a pig for his page in all pictures, though for what reason is unknown, except, because being a hermit, and having a well or hole digged in the earth, and having his general repast on roots, he and hogs did in some sort enter common both in their diet and lodging.’

41.Thus in the comedy of the ‘Western Lass’ (circa 1720) the heroine sings:—‘Is Love finer than money,Or can it be sweeter than honey?I’m, poor girl, such a Toney,Evads, that I cannot guess.’

41.Thus in the comedy of the ‘Western Lass’ (circa 1720) the heroine sings:—

‘Is Love finer than money,Or can it be sweeter than honey?I’m, poor girl, such a Toney,Evads, that I cannot guess.’

‘Is Love finer than money,

Or can it be sweeter than honey?

I’m, poor girl, such a Toney,

Evads, that I cannot guess.’

42.‘To our well-beloved servaunt, Antony Lambeson.’(Grants of Ed. V. Cam. Soc.)

42.

‘To our well-beloved servaunt, Antony Lambeson.’(Grants of Ed. V. Cam. Soc.)

‘To our well-beloved servaunt, Antony Lambeson.’

(Grants of Ed. V. Cam. Soc.)

43.‘Walter fil. Kitte.’ (Household Exp. Bishop Swinfield, p. 170, Cam. Soc.)

44.In the ‘Romaunt of the Rose,’ it is said—‘For right no more than Gibbe, our cat,That awaiteth mice and rattes to killen,Ne entend I but to beguilen.’In Peele’s ‘Edward I.,’ too, the Novice says to the Friar—‘Now, Master, as I am true wag,I will be neither late, nor lag,But go and come with gossips cheer,Ere Gib, our cat, can lick her ear.’

44.In the ‘Romaunt of the Rose,’ it is said—

‘For right no more than Gibbe, our cat,That awaiteth mice and rattes to killen,Ne entend I but to beguilen.’

‘For right no more than Gibbe, our cat,

That awaiteth mice and rattes to killen,

Ne entend I but to beguilen.’

In Peele’s ‘Edward I.,’ too, the Novice says to the Friar—

‘Now, Master, as I am true wag,I will be neither late, nor lag,But go and come with gossips cheer,Ere Gib, our cat, can lick her ear.’

‘Now, Master, as I am true wag,

I will be neither late, nor lag,

But go and come with gossips cheer,

Ere Gib, our cat, can lick her ear.’

45.Hence the old term, ‘flibber-gib,’ or ‘flitter-gibbett,’ employed by Latimer, Burton, &c.; and later, by Walter Scott, for one of vile propensities.

46.A notorious rascal named ‘Gybby Selby’ is mentioned in ‘Calendar of State Papers’ for 1562. This accords with ‘Robert Gybbyson,’ found in the Corpus Christi Guild, York, a few years earlier.

47.‘Item, payde to Hew Watson, for a bawdrike to the first belle, xd.’ (1546.) (Churchwardens’ Accounts at Ludlow, Camden Soc.) ‘Item, for markynge of Hew Davis’ pew, xiid.’ (1552.) (do.)

48.‘Hugyn held of the same Earl an oxgang of land.’ (De Lacy Inquisit., Cheth. Soc., p. 6.) ‘Huckin’ seems to be a corruption of ‘Hughkin.’ ‘Hughkin Byston’ occurs in ‘Wills and Inventories.’ (Cheth. Soc., i. 142.)

49.A servant of King Henry III. was called by the simple and only name of ‘Pentecostes.’ (Inquisit. 13 Ed. I. No. 13.)

50.In the old published orders for the sheriff’s annual riding in the city of York, occurs this rule among others:—‘Also, we command that no manner of men walk in the city, nor in the suburbs by night, without Torch before him,i.e.fromPascheto Michaelmas after ten of the clock, and from Michaelmas toPascheafter nine of the clock.’ These rules are thus prefaced. ‘The sheriffs, by the custom of the city, do ride to several parts thereof every year, betwixt Michaelmas andMidwinter, that isYoole.’ (‘Hist. and Ant. York,’ vol. ii. p. 54.) Lancashire Easter-eggs are still called Pace-eggs.—The harder ‘Paske’ is found in Wicklyffe’s Version of Matt. xxvi. 1:—‘Whaune Jhesus hadde endid all these words he seide to his disciplis, ye weten that after tweyn days, Paske schal be made.’

50.In the old published orders for the sheriff’s annual riding in the city of York, occurs this rule among others:—

‘Also, we command that no manner of men walk in the city, nor in the suburbs by night, without Torch before him,i.e.fromPascheto Michaelmas after ten of the clock, and from Michaelmas toPascheafter nine of the clock.’ These rules are thus prefaced. ‘The sheriffs, by the custom of the city, do ride to several parts thereof every year, betwixt Michaelmas andMidwinter, that isYoole.’ (‘Hist. and Ant. York,’ vol. ii. p. 54.) Lancashire Easter-eggs are still called Pace-eggs.—The harder ‘Paske’ is found in Wicklyffe’s Version of Matt. xxvi. 1:—‘Whaune Jhesus hadde endid all these words he seide to his disciplis, ye weten that after tweyn days, Paske schal be made.’

51.Richard Domesdaye was Rector of Caldecote, Norfolk, in 1435. (Blomefield). This would be synonymous with ‘Termday.’

52.I see, however, from the Clerical Directory, that ‘Hindson’ is still in existence. A ‘Nicholas Hopperson’ is found in an old college register for 1582. (Hist. C. C. Coll. Cam.)

53.This name seems to have been very popular in Yorkshire. The instances given in the index are taken from papers relating to that county. Thus, again, we find it occurring in the marriage dispensations and licences of the period. ‘Dispensation from Selow for Richard de Akerode and Emmotte de Greenwood to marry, they being related in the fourth degree. Issued from Rome by Jordan Bishop of Alba, Apr. 27th, 3rd Eugenius IV.’ (1433.)—(Test. Ebor. vol. iii. p. 317); ‘Licence to the Vicar of Bradford to marry Roger Prestwick and Emmote Crossley. Banns thrice in one day.’ (1466.)—Do. p. 338.

54.We must not forget that at first a certain strangeness must have been felt in terming a woman by such a contradictory sobriquet as ‘Alice Johnson’ or ‘Parnel Simson.’ The feminine desinence was occasionally attempted. ‘Alicia Thomdoghter’ is found in the ‘Test. Ebor.’ (Sur. Soc.), ‘Isabella Peersdoghter’ and ‘Isolda Peersdoghter’ in Feod. Prior. Dunelm. (Sur. Soc.), and ‘Avice Mattewife’ in the ‘Issue Roll.’

55.‘Item, I gyffe to Sicille Metcalfe, my sister’s doughter, 20s.’—‘Richmondshire Wills,’ p. 128.

56.A curious proof of the popularity of this pet form is met with in the Manor of ‘Ashton-under-Lyne’ (Ch. Soc.). In a community of some 20 or 25 families were the following:—‘Syssot, wife of Patrick,’ ‘Syssot, wife of Diccon Wilson,’ ‘Syssot, wife of Thomas the Cook,’ and ‘Syssot, wife of Jak of Barsley.’ Robert Syssottysone, Rector of Lecceworthe, 1478 (xx. 2, p. 187).

57.In the Corpus Christi Guild, York, 1433 (Sur. Soc.), Dyot is feminine. There is set down, ‘Robert Hayne et Dyot uxor.’ The patronymic ‘Diotson’ is found in the same register.

58.I say ‘perhaps’ because it may be but a corruption of the local Mapleston.

59.Sabyn or Sabina is frequently met with in the Hundred Rolls, as also Sybyl, referred to in the line before. A church at Rome was dedicated to a St. Sabina. Sybyl has bequeathed us ‘Sibson.’ In Cocke Lorelles Bote, one of the personages introduced is ‘Sybby Sole, mylke wyfe of Islynton.’

60.Jack and Jill seem ever to have been associated.Will squabbled in a tavern very sore,Because one brought agillof wine no more;Fill me a quart, quoth he, I’m called Will,The proverbe is, eachJackshall have hisGill.Satyricall Epigrams, 1619.

60.Jack and Jill seem ever to have been associated.

Will squabbled in a tavern very sore,Because one brought agillof wine no more;Fill me a quart, quoth he, I’m called Will,The proverbe is, eachJackshall have hisGill.Satyricall Epigrams, 1619.

Will squabbled in a tavern very sore,Because one brought agillof wine no more;Fill me a quart, quoth he, I’m called Will,The proverbe is, eachJackshall have hisGill.

Will squabbled in a tavern very sore,

Because one brought agillof wine no more;

Fill me a quart, quoth he, I’m called Will,

The proverbe is, eachJackshall have hisGill.

Satyricall Epigrams, 1619.

61.One can scarce forbear a smile to find in the ‘Townley Mysteries’ Noah’s wife, being pressed by her husband to enter the ark, replying—Sir, for Jak nor for GilleWille I turne my faceTille I have on this hilleSpun a space upon my rok (distaft).

61.One can scarce forbear a smile to find in the ‘Townley Mysteries’ Noah’s wife, being pressed by her husband to enter the ark, replying—

Sir, for Jak nor for GilleWille I turne my faceTille I have on this hilleSpun a space upon my rok (distaft).

Sir, for Jak nor for Gille

Wille I turne my face

Tille I have on this hille

Spun a space upon my rok (distaft).

62.We must not forget a once familiar corruption of the diminutive ‘Juliet’ into ‘Juet.’ Such entries as ‘Juetta fil. William’ (T.), ‘Richard fil. Juetta’ (T.), ‘William Juet’ (A.), or ‘Christopher Jewitson’ (Z.) are very common in the rolls of the xiiith and xivth centuries. This, in the North, was pronounced ‘Jowet,’ hence such entries as ‘Roger fil. Jowettæ’ (T.), ‘Jowet Barton’ (W. 11), and our surname ‘Jowett.’ ‘Jewitt’ also exists. One of this name was a jockey in the Derby of 1874.

63.So, also, in another place the same translator says: ‘The kyngdom of hevenes is lyk to a marchaunt that seekith gode margarites, but whanne he hath founde one precious margarite, he wente and solde alle thingis that he hadde and boughte it.’—Matt. xiii. 45, 46. Foxe too, in his ‘Book of Martyrs,’ quotes Isidorus to the effect that John the Apostle ‘turned certain pieces of wood into gold, and stones by the seaside into margarites.’—Vol. i. p. 28, edit. 1844.

64.‘Barbara,’ as another Greek virgin-martyr, may be set beside Margaret. ‘Barbe’ was the French form. As we shall see by-and-by, our ‘Simbarbes’ and ‘Simbarbs’ hail from St. Barbe in Normandy. (Jordan de St. Barbe, M., Thomas Seyntbarbe, B.) The Hundred Rolls register three pet forms as surnames. ‘Bertol Babbe,’ ‘John Barbot,’ and ‘Nicholas Barbelot.’ The latter belongs to the class inelotof which ‘Robelot,’ ‘Hewelot’ and ‘Hamelot’ are instances.

65.The various forms of the diminutive are found as Christian names in the ‘Manor of Ashton-under-Lyne’ (Ch. Soc.), where occur such entries as ‘Magot, that was wife of Richard,’ ‘Merget of Staley,’ ‘Marget of Stanly,’ ‘Mergret, that was wife of Hobbe.’—pp. 96–7.

66.Since writing the above, I find several notices in Brand’s ‘Popular Antiquities’ which, while corroborating the view I have taken, shed a clearer light as to Maid Marian’s other sobriquet of ‘Malkin.’ In his allusion to the Morris dances, he quotes Beaumont and Fletcher as saying—‘Put on the shape of order and humanity,Or you must marry Malkin, the May-lady.’Thus far, then, adding this to Mr. Halliwell’s quotation, we find that Maid Marian for several centuries was also ‘Malkin.’ But we must remember that it was during this very period that Robin Hood and his mistress were popularly believed to be Robert, Earl of Huntingdon, and Matilda, daughter of Lord Fitzwalter. That the May Queen, therefore, should be occasionally styled ‘Malkin’ will appear natural enough if we accept the view of the origin of that name as recorded in the text. But it may be asked how did she get the sobriquet of ‘Marian’? Perhaps Mr. Steevens’s quotation from an old play, ‘The Downfall of Rob. Earl of Huntingdon,’ dated 1401, may help us—‘Next ’tis agreed (if thereto she agree)That fair Matilda henceforth change her name;And, while it is the chance of Robin HoodeTo live in Sherwodde a poor outlaw’s life,She by Maid Marian’s name be called.’

‘Put on the shape of order and humanity,Or you must marry Malkin, the May-lady.’

‘Put on the shape of order and humanity,

Or you must marry Malkin, the May-lady.’

Thus far, then, adding this to Mr. Halliwell’s quotation, we find that Maid Marian for several centuries was also ‘Malkin.’ But we must remember that it was during this very period that Robin Hood and his mistress were popularly believed to be Robert, Earl of Huntingdon, and Matilda, daughter of Lord Fitzwalter. That the May Queen, therefore, should be occasionally styled ‘Malkin’ will appear natural enough if we accept the view of the origin of that name as recorded in the text. But it may be asked how did she get the sobriquet of ‘Marian’? Perhaps Mr. Steevens’s quotation from an old play, ‘The Downfall of Rob. Earl of Huntingdon,’ dated 1401, may help us—

‘Next ’tis agreed (if thereto she agree)That fair Matilda henceforth change her name;And, while it is the chance of Robin HoodeTo live in Sherwodde a poor outlaw’s life,She by Maid Marian’s name be called.’

‘Next ’tis agreed (if thereto she agree)

That fair Matilda henceforth change her name;

And, while it is the chance of Robin Hoode

To live in Sherwodde a poor outlaw’s life,

She by Maid Marian’s name be called.’

67.It has been thought by some that our ‘Makins’ and ‘Makinsons’ are from Matthew, and not in any way connected with feminine nomenclature. This may be so, for although there is the entry ‘Maykina Parmunter’ in the Parliamentary Rolls, there is also ‘Maykinus Lappyng’ in Materials for Hist. Reign of Henry VII.

68.Thomas Mawdeson (F. F.) would lead one to suppose that Mawson was a direct corruption. It may be so, but ‘Maw’ itself seems to have existed as a pet form of Maud. In the ‘De Lacy Inquisition’ (1311) there occurs ‘Richard, son of Mawe, for 25 acres, etc.’—p. 10 (Chelt. Soc.)

69.The preceding paragraphs will sufficiently answer, I doubt not, the questions of correspondents in ‘Notes and Queries,’ as to whether we haveanysurnames derived from female baptismal names.

70.Elizabeth came into use too late to leave any mark upon our surnames. I have not come across, to the best of my remembrance, a single instance in any record earlier than the fifteenth century. ‘Bess,’ or ‘Bessie,’ was the first pet name formed from it, and this very probably began to grow into favour about the time of Elizabeth Woodville’s marriage. With the proud imperious Queen Bess, however, came in every conceivable variety that could be played upon the name, ‘Betsey,’ or ‘Betsy,’ ‘Betty,’ ‘Eliza,’ ‘Lizzie,’ and ‘Libbie’ being the favourites. The first ‘Bessie’ I find is that of ‘Bessye Tripps,’ 1558; the first ‘Betty’ being that of ‘Bettye Sheile,’ 1580, both being in a Newcastle will. Betty for two centuries was, perhaps, the form most in favour in aristocratic circles. How fickle is fashion! It is entirely tabooed there in the nineteenth.

71.Thomas and John Ibson are recorded in the ‘Corpus Christi Guild,’ York. (Surt. Soc.)

72.‘George Hall et Ezota uxor ejus.’ York Guild (W. 11).

73.‘Hamne, son of Adecok, held 29 acres.’ (De Lacy Inquis. p. 19, Ch. Soc.)

74.A proof that this origination is correct is found in a York will dated 1391. William de Kyrkby bequeaths articles to ‘Evæ uxori Johannes Parvying,’ and to ‘Willielmo de Rowlay,’ and then at the close he speaks of them as the aforementioned ‘Evotam et dictum Willielmum Rowlay.’ (Test. Elor., vol. i. p. 145–6. Surt. Soc.) An old London record, dated 1379, contains amongst other names those of ‘Custance Busshe’ and ‘Evota de Durham.’ The owner would be familiarly known among her acquaintances as ‘Evote’ or ‘Evette.’ (Memorials of London, p. 435.)

75.‘Sacred to the memory of George Higgott,’ etc. Bonsall Church, Derbyshire. The more common form is ‘Higgett.’

76.‘Dawe Robson, et Alicia uxor ejus.’ (W. 11.)

77.‘Damsel’ is, of course, the diminutive of this. As a surname, it is found in the cases of ‘Simon Damesell’ (H.R.) and ‘Lawrence Damysell’ (W. 2). Other diminutives are met with in ‘Damietta Porcell’ (Hist. and Ant. Survey, index), ‘Damietta Avenell’ (F. F.), ‘Dametta fil. Morell’ (D. D.); hence as surnames our ‘Damets,’ ‘Dametts,’ ‘Damiots,’ and ‘Domitts.’ Entries like ‘Alice Damyett’ (Z), ‘Hugh Damiot’ (A), ‘Henry Damett’ (R), and ‘Henry Domet’ (A) are common.

78.Thomas Jordanson and Margery Jordanson occur in ‘Three Lancashire Documents’ (Cheth. Soc.).

79.‘Jud,’ now the pet form of George, was formerly that of Jordan. In Gower’s lines, already quoted, it is said—‘Hudde’ ferit, quem ‘Judde’ terit,This reminds us of Aron Judde in the Hundred Rolls.

79.‘Jud,’ now the pet form of George, was formerly that of Jordan. In Gower’s lines, already quoted, it is said—

‘Hudde’ ferit, quem ‘Judde’ terit,

This reminds us of Aron Judde in the Hundred Rolls.

80.Dean Stanley seems to have the impression that this custom was confined to the pilgrims of Italy and Spain. In hisSinai and Palestine, page 333, he says: ‘The name of the river has in Italy and Spain, by a natural association, been turned into a common Christian name for children at the hour of baptism, which served to connect them with it.’ Judging by existing traces merely, I doubt whether the practice was quite so familiar in those countries as our own.

81.Ellicot seems to be a sort of feminine from Elisota. ‘Item do et lego Elisotæ domicellæ meæ 40s.’ (Will of William de Aldeburgh, 1391. Test. Ebor. vol. i. p. 151.) ‘Item, lego Elisotæ, uxori Ricardi Bustard unam vaccam et 10s.’ (Will of Patrick de Barton, 1391. Test. Ebor. vol. i. p. 155.)

82.We cannot but believe, however, that in many instances these two are but the offspring of ‘Alice,’ at this period one of the most popular of female names. Nor must we forget that Alison was itself a personal name, this being the Norman-French pet form of Alice, after the fashion of Marion, Louison, Beaton, etc. We are all acquainted with the ‘Alison’ of the ‘Canterbury Tales’—‘This Alison answered: Who is thereThat knocketh so? I warrant him a thefe.’We meet with it again in an old Yorkshire will: ‘Item, to Symkyn, and Watkyn and Alison Meek, servandes of John of Bolton, to ilk on of yaim (them) 26s.8d.’ (Test. Ebor., vol. iii p. 21. Surtees. Soc.) This name is found in our more formal registers in such an entry as ‘Alison Gelyot.’ (Parl. Rolls.) With regard to ‘Alis’ and ‘Elis,’ and ‘Alison’ and ‘Elison,’ recorded in the text, I may remind the reader that A and E were all but convertible letters with the Normans. One of their favourite female names, that of ‘Aveline,’ is found equally often as ‘Eveline,’ and in the form of ‘Evelyn’ it came down to the distinguished writer of the seventeenth century. ‘Arnold’ and ‘Ernold,’ ‘Americ’ and ‘Emeric,’ ‘Amelia’ and ‘Emilia,’ ‘Anota,’ and ‘Enota,’ and ‘Amelot’ and ‘Emelot’ are but other instances in point.

‘This Alison answered: Who is thereThat knocketh so? I warrant him a thefe.’

‘This Alison answered: Who is there

That knocketh so? I warrant him a thefe.’

We meet with it again in an old Yorkshire will: ‘Item, to Symkyn, and Watkyn and Alison Meek, servandes of John of Bolton, to ilk on of yaim (them) 26s.8d.’ (Test. Ebor., vol. iii p. 21. Surtees. Soc.) This name is found in our more formal registers in such an entry as ‘Alison Gelyot.’ (Parl. Rolls.) With regard to ‘Alis’ and ‘Elis,’ and ‘Alison’ and ‘Elison,’ recorded in the text, I may remind the reader that A and E were all but convertible letters with the Normans. One of their favourite female names, that of ‘Aveline,’ is found equally often as ‘Eveline,’ and in the form of ‘Evelyn’ it came down to the distinguished writer of the seventeenth century. ‘Arnold’ and ‘Ernold,’ ‘Americ’ and ‘Emeric,’ ‘Amelia’ and ‘Emilia,’ ‘Anota,’ and ‘Enota,’ and ‘Amelot’ and ‘Emelot’ are but other instances in point.

83.I am confirmed in my view by finding ‘Eliot’ registered as ‘Alyott.’ ‘Alyott de Symondston held half an oxgang of land, xixd.’ (De Lacy Inquisition (1311) Cheth. Soc.)

84.Perrin was formed from ‘Pierre,’ as ‘Huggin’ from Hugh or ‘Colin’ from Nicol. ‘The wife of Peryn’ is mentioned in ‘Manor of Ashton-under-Lyne’ (Ch. Soc.), p. 97. Perrot, or Parrot, represents also the French diminutive. ‘Alan Fitz-Pirot was a benefactor to St. Alban’s Monastery.’ (See Clutterbuck’sHertford, Appendix, vol. i.) Prince Edward used to call the favourite, Piers Gaveston, by the familiar title of ‘Perot.’ (SeeNotes and Queries, vii. 280, and Lower on ‘Perrot.’)

85.There can be little doubt that ‘Potts’ comes from ‘Philpotts.’ We light upon a ‘Thomas Potkin’ (H.H.), proving that the abbreviation was in use.

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