Ancient Surnames

( Originally Published Late 1800's )

So much has already been written upon the origin and import of Surnames, that it may seem unnecessary to revert to the subject. It has, however, occurred to me that little has been done to illustrate the descent of these appellations ; or to show how many of our present disguised surnames are the representatives of those which in their more ancient form were possessed of meaning. A classification of those objects from which proper names are derived, and of the manner in which they were bestowed, may not seem devoid of interest, and upon these subjects I add a few observations. I would remark, that the sources from which I have deduced my notices are principally manuscripts of considerable antiquity, or such publications as present correct examples of surnames at an early date.

The first list to which I would direct your notice consists of those surnames which have been bestowed from certain personal qualifications :

Ralph le Gras, or the fat: MS. Addit. 7965, fol. 69 b : in the index to the Rot. Scotiæ it is, Gros. Nicholas Malemeyns ; id. fol. 129 b.

Alan Brodheud, or broadhead: MS. Addit. 7966, fol. 55.

Editha la Lovelich, or lovely : MS. Hari. 1708, fol. 217.

Armestrang, arm strong : index to Rot. Scotiae.

Blaunkfrount, white face : id.

Fairhair, id. Yalowhaire, id. Le Long, id.

Thomas Sturdy : MS. Cott. Claud. B. iii., fol. 170 b.

Galfridus Wychals, or bad neck : from the Saxon, id. 168 b ; this name is, probably, the same as Wyggel, fol. 170.

Mental qualifications or attributes may next be illustrated :

John Jolif of Sandwich : MS. Addit. 7965, fol. 91; now Jolly. Grim : Raine's North Durham, 125. Richard Godhusband : MS. Cott. Claud., B. iii., fol. 169 b.

Cecilia Gauk : (1345) Chart. Hari. 112 G. 45, and Matildi Goki, MS. Cott. Claud. A. vi., fol. 3, are both to be traced to the French gauchee, crooked.

Nicholas Ramage : MS. Addit, 7965, fol. 107 ; from the French ramage, explained by Cotgrave "ramage, hagard, wild, homely, rude."

Roger le Proud : MS. Addit. 7966, fol. 96 b. Prudhome, Ro:. Scotiæ.

Lelhome : Chart. Hari. 53 A. 5, true, or loyal man.

Names of animals seem also to have furnished instances ; for example :

Le Veel: MS. Addit. 7965, fol. 69.

Bullock : Rot. Scotiæ, Claud. B. iii., fol. 169 b.

Kelyng, which signifies a codling: id.

Laverock, a lark : id.

Wlf, the Scandinavian name for a wolf : id., MS. Cott. Claud. A. iv., fol. 7, I.

Brunnolf, brown wolf: Raine's North Durham, 743.

Sperhafocus, a sparrow-hawk : MS. Cott. Claud. B. vi., fol. 114 b. (105o).

William le Hund : MS. Cott. Claud. A. vi., fol. 3.

Colours, as might be expected, supply specimens :

William Brun : MS. Addit. 7965, fol. 89.

AElfwig se red, the red: Appendix to Lye's Saxon Dict. Elias le Brun : MS. Addit. 7965, fol. 107 b.

Fag, Sax. faeg, discolour : MS. Cott. Vesp. B. xxiv., fol. 40 b.

Arms, such as Longespee and Simon Hauberk (1 Edw. III., MS. Cott. Claud. A. xiii., fol. 108); and Dress, as Henry Brodbelte (MS. Cott. Claud. B. iii.), may serve as examples.

But by far the most copious lists are to be traced to certain peculiarities of local situation or employment ; to these, at a future period, it is my intention to invite your notice.