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Universit of Virginia Library
CS2309 AMy
ALD An etymologicaldictionary of

MX 000 478 973

 - - - - -

LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
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VIRF
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1819

GIFT OF
·DR . WILBUR P. MORGAN
OF BALTIMORE
一一一
上一章
 AN

ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
OF

FAMILY AND CHRISTIAN NAMES.

WITH AN ESSAY,
ON THEIR DERIVATION AND IMPORT.

BY

WILLIAM ARTHUR, M .A .

* To find out the true originall of surnames is full of difficultie. "

CAMDEN

NEW YORK : i.
SHELDON, BLAKEMAN & CO .
No. 116 NASSAU STPEST .
1857.
 cs
. . 2309
. A7 .
303998

Entered,according to Actof Congress, in the year 1856,by

WILLIAM ARTHUR ,
In the Clerk 's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Northern
District of New York .

STEREOSYPED BY PRINTED BY
THOMAS B . OSMITH , • : . J . J . REED ,
.82 & 84 Beelman Street. 16 Spruce St.
 Ꮲ Ꭱ E F A C Ꭼ.

The Author has been induced to publish thisvolume,

from the opinions expressed by a number of literary
friends,that a work on the origin and import of Family
Names would be a valuable addition to the current
literature of this country. He is not aware that a Dic
tionary of this kind has ever before been published,
embracing surnames derived from the English, Saxon,
ANCHESTER
HECKMAN
MBINDERY

Dutch , Danish , German, Welsh, Gaelic (Celtic), Cor

nish-British , and other languages.
.,INTHE
NC
ND

From this consideration he is inclined to indulge the

hope that the book will be acceptable not only to the
Philologist, but to readers in general who may have
the curiosity to know the origin and signification of
their own names.
Much labor has been spent upon the Dictionary. It
has been prepared by long and careful research and
study of the several languages from which the names
are derived.
In the outlines of the Introductory Essay the author
is indebted for much valuable information to the
“ learned Camden ,” — “ Camden’s Remaines concerning
Britaine,” London, 1614 .
 PREFACE .

He has read with pleasure an interesting and amus.

ing “ Essay on English Surnames,” by Mark Antony
Lower, M . A ., London, 1849, from which he has taken
many curious observations and humorous anecdotes on
several names given in that work .
Available aid has also been obtained from a series of
articles on Irish Surnames, by Mr. John O'Donovan,
published in the “ Irish Penny Journal,” Dublin , 1841;
from “ Bailey's English Dictionary," 20th edition ,1764 ;
“ Playfair's British Family Antiquity,” London , 1811 ;
and from “ Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic Diction
ary oftheLanded Gentry ofGreat Britain and Ireland,"
London , 1848.
In a volume of this size it is not to be expected that
the origin and meaning of every surname can be found,
nevertheless, from an attentive perusal of the Intro
ductory Essay, and the several derivationsof the names
given , a majority of Family and Christian names may
be ascertained with a good degree of accuracy.
From the nature and difficulty of the work , arising
in many instances from the mutation and corruption of
the originalnames,the change of customs and language,
and the frequent similarity of the roots from which
many ofthe words are derived, it can not be otherwise
than in many respects imperfect.
NEWTONVILLE, ALBANY CO., N .Y .,
November, 1856 .
 AN ESSAY
ON
THE ORIGIN AND IMPORT

FAMILY NAMES .

NAMES commenced in Eden . The Creator be

- stowed on the first man the name of Adam , denot
ing his origin from the earth . Eve gave to her
first born the name of Cain , implying acquisition, a

made to man in Eden.

The signification of the Hebrew names recorded
in the 5th chapter of Genesis, when arranged in

of man through a Redeemer :

ADAM , i. e., “ Man in the image of God ;"
SETH ,
ENOS, " Frail Man ;"
CANAAN , " Lamenting ;"
MAHALALEEL, “ The blessed God ;"
JARED, “ Shall come down ;"
ENOCH , “ Teaching ;"
 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
METHUSELAH , " His death shall send ;"
LAMECH , “ To the humble ;"
NOAH , “ Rest or consolation." *

These names in the order in which they are re

corded , read thus:*“ To man, once made in the
image of God ,now substituted by man frail and full
of sorrow , the blessed God himself shall comedown
to the earth teaching, and his death shall send to
the humble, consolation."
The son of Abraham and Sarah, by divine direc
tion was to bear the name of Isaac, signifying laugh
ter, in allusion to the circumstances recorded of the
father of the faithful in the 17th chapter of Genesis.
In like manner Jacob received the name Yaakob ,
that is, he shall " hold by the heel” or supplant, a
prediction which was fulfilled when he supplant
ed his brother Esau, in the matter of his birthright.
The ancient Hebrews retained the greatest sim
plicity in the use of names, and generally a single
name distinguished the individual. Where it was
necessary the name of the father was added, and
sometimes that of the mother, if she happened to be
more celebrated .
Names were first given for the distinction of per
sons, and each individual had, at the beginning,but
* Dr. Cummings.
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES.

one proper or given name, as Joseph among the

Jews, Amasis among the Egyptians, Arbaces among
the Medians, among the Greeks Ulysses, among the
Romans Romulus, theGermans Ariovistus,the British
Caradoc, the Saxons Edric, etc.
The Jews named their children the eighth day
after the nativity, when the rite of circumcision was
performed. The Greeks gave the name on the
tenth day, and an entertainment was given by the
parents to their friends, and sacrifices offered to the
gods.
The Romans gave names to their female children
on the eighth day, and to the males on the ninth ,
which they called Dies lustricus, the day of purifi
cation, on which day they solemnized a feast called
Nominalia .
The name given was generally indicative of some
particular circumstance attending the birth or in
fancy , some quality of body or mind, or was ex
pressive of the good wishes or fond hopes of the
parent. Objects in nature, the most admired and
beautiful, were selected by them to designate their
offspring. The sun, themoon and stars, the clouds,
the beasts of the field , the trees and the flowers that
adorn the face of nature, were all made subservient
to this end.
• Pythagoras taught that the minds, actions, and
 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND

success of men would be according to their fate,

genius and name, and Plato advises men to be care
ful in giving fair and happy names.
Such hopeful names as Victor, conqueror, Felix ,
happy, and Fortunatus, lucky,were called by Cicero,
“ bona nomina,” good names, and by Tacitus, " fausta
nomina,” prosperous names.
“ Such names among the Romans were considered
so happy and fortunate, that in the time ofGalienus,
Regilianus who commanded in the ancient Illyricum ,
obtained the empire in consequence of the deriva
tion of his name. When it was demanded during
a banquet, what was the origin of Regilianus, one
answered, “a Regno,' to reign, to be a king ; another
began to decline ' Rex (a king), Regis, Regilianus,'.
when the soldiers began to exclaim , ' Ergo potest
Rex esse, ergo potest regere, Deus tibi regis nomen
imposuit,' and so invested him with the imperial
robes." *
Lewis the Eighth , King of France, sent two of his
embassadors to Alphonso, king of Spain, to solicit
one of his daughters in marriage. When the young
ladies, whose names were Urraca and Blanche, were
presented to the embassadors, they made choice of
Blanche, though far less beautiful than her sister,
assigning as a reason that her name would be
* Camden .
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 9

better received in France , as Blanche signified fair

and beautiful.
So the proverb , “ Bonum nomen bonum omen " — A
good nameis a good omen.
Names, epithets, and soubriquets were often be
stowed by others than the parents, at a more
advanced age, expressive of character or exploits,
of personal beauty, deformity or blemish — such as,
among the Greeks Terɛuáxos ( Telemachus), able to
sustain the war ; dietros (Philip ), a lover of
horses ; ’Aréžavdpos (Alexander), a benefactor of
men , and Iputros, eagle -nose. Among the Romans,
Victor, a conqueror; Strabo, squint-eyed ; Varus,
bow - legged. Among the Britons, Cadwallader,
the leader of the war. Among the Gaels or Celts,
Galgach, or Galgachus, the fierce fighter of battles ;
Curaidh, a hero.
Among the Britons and Gaels,names were taken
from those 'animals which excelled in swiftness,
fierceness, boldness, strength or courage, as the
Lion , the Bear, the Wolf, the Mastiff. The follow
ing are examples : Llew , Llewelyn, Arthur,Kee, etc.

mental qualities, as Caw , Cadwallon , Cadwallader,

Hardd ; Donald , Duncan, Fergus, Colom , Coel, Car
actacus. *

* For the signification of these names, see Dictionary,

10 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
Others from color. Lloyd, Brych, Winne, Goch ,
Gorm , Gwrmain, Glass, Dhu or Du, Da or Day,
Melyn, Bane, Cane, Roe, & c.
The ROMANS introduced such names as Julius,
Claudius, Felix , Constans, Constantine, Augustus,
Augustine, etc. The Saxons the names of Charles,
Edward , Edmund, Baldwin , Oswald , etc. The
Danes, such as Hengist, Horsa , Sweyne, Canute ;
and the NORMANS chose such as Robert, William ,
Richard, Henry, etc.
Before the general introduction of surnames, the
Britons and Celts, for the sake of distinction, used
explanatory names, descriptive of personal peculiar
ities, individual pursuits, mental or bodily qualities,
accidental circumstances, or the performance of
certain actions. These names have been called
Soubriquets, Cognomens, and Nicknames such as
Howel Da, or Howel the good ; Howel y Pedolau, or
Howel of the horse-shoes, so called from being able
to straighten them or bend them by manualstrength ;
Cadrod Hardd, or the beautiful; Ririd Vaidd, or
Ririd the Wolf ; Cunedda Wledig , or the Patriotic ;
Howel y Fwyall, or the Battle-axe; Caswallon
Law hir, or the long hand ; Llywarch Hen , or the
aged ; Donald Gorm , or Blue Donald ; Malcolm
Canmore, great head .
TheGaels of Ireland had also the same kind of
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES.

cognomens or descriptive names, as Niall Roe, or

Niall the Red ; Niall More, Niall the Great; Con
Bachach , Con the Lame; Henry Avrey, Henry the
Contentious ; Shane au Dimais, John the Proud ;
Shane Buidhe, or John with the yellow hair; Shane
Gearr, John Short ; Seumas Reagh, James the
Swarthy ; O 'Connor Don, the Brown-haired O 'Con
nor.*
Sir Henry Piers, in the year 1682, in a letter to
Anthony, Lord Bishop of Meath, gave the follow
ing account of Irish sobriquets and cognomens :
* * * " They take much liberty , and seem to
do it with delight, in giving of nicknames ; and if a
man have any imperfection or evil habit, he shall
be sure to hear of it in the nickname. Thus, if hebe
blind, lame, squint-eyed, gray-eyed, be a stammerer
in speech, be left-handed, to be sure he shall have
one of these added to his name; so also from his
color of hair, as black , red , yellow , brown, etc. ; and
from his age, as young , old ; or from what he ad
dicts himself to, or much delights in , as in draining,
building, fencing, or the like ; so that no man what
ever can escape a nickname who lives among them ,
or converseth with them ; and sometimes, so libidin
ous are they in this kind of raillery, they will give
nicknames per antiphrasim , or contrariety of speech.
* Mr. John O'Doa yan, Irish Penny Journal, 1841.
 12 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND

Thus a man of excellent parts, and beloved of all

men , shall be called Grana, that is, naughty , or fit to
be complained of. If a man have a beautiful coun
tenance or lovely eyes, they will call him Cueegh ,
that is, squint-eyed ; if a great housekeeper, he
shall be called Ackerisagh , that is, greedy."
The same custom prevailed in England, and
other countries, in reference to descriptive names,
many of which in after times became surnames ; as
William the Lion ; Henry the Fowler; Edmund
Ironside ; Harold Harefoot; William Rufus (the .
Red ); Henry Beauclerk ( fine Scholar); Richard
Cour de Lion (the Lion-hearted ; John Lackland ;
Edward Longshanks ; David Crookshanks. Some .
of this class indicate mental qualities, as Good,
Goodman, Goodenough, Best, Sage, Wise. Others
are derived from personal appearance. or bodily
peculiarities, as Big, Meikle, Little, Lightbody,
Lightfoot, Armstrong,Greathead .
Among these are included names denoting com
plexion , color of hair and dress, as Black, Blond,
Brown, Gray, Grissel, Red, Rufus, Rous, Russel,
Rothe (Germ . red ), Rothman, Ruddiman, Blacket
or Blackhead, Whitelock , and Whitehead.
. Among names of costume are found Capet,
Curthose (short hose ), Robe, Mantle, etc.
The custom of giving nicknames to individuals
 ' SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. . 13

bearing hereditary surnames has not yet been dis

continued ; and in many localities, the peasantry are
better known by soubriquets than by their proper
surnames. This is especially the case where several
families bear the same sur-names.
Mark Antony Lower, M . A ., in his interesting
and amusing Essay on Family Nomenclature, re
lates the following story, as given by a correspond
ent of Knight's Quarterly Magazine: “ I knew an
apothecary in the collieries, who, as a matter of
decorum , always entered the real name of his
patients in his books ; that is, when he could
ascertain them . But they stood there for orna
ment ; for use, he found it necessary to append the
soubriquet, which he did with true medical formal
ity, as, for instance, Thomas Williams, vulgo dict.
(vulgarly called ) ‘Old Puff.?”
A story is told of an attorney 's clerk , who was
professionally employed to serve a process on one
of these oddly -named persons, whose real name was
entered in the instrument with legal accuracy. The
clerk, after a great deal of inquiry as to the where
abouts of the party, was about to abandon the
search as hopeless, when a young woman , who had
witnessed his labors, kindly volunteered to assist
him .
“ Oy say, Bullyed,” cried she to the first person .
14 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND .

they met, “ does thee know a mon neamed Adam

Green ?” The bull-head was shaken in token of
ignorance.
“ Loy-a -bed, dost thee ?"
Lie-a-bed's opportunities of making acquaintance
had been rather limited , and she could not resolve
the difficulty. .
Stumpy (a man with a wooden leg), Cowskin ,
«Spindleshanks, Cockeye, and Pigtail were severally
invoked, but in vain ; and the querist fell into a
brown study, in which she remained for some time.
Atlength , however, her eyes suddenly brightened ,
and slapping one of her companions on the shoul.
der, she exclaimed triumphantly, “ Dash my wig !
whoy he means moy feyther !" and then turning to
the gentleman , added , " yo should'n ax'd for Ode
(old ) Blackbird .”
It is stated that “ few of the miners of Stafford
shire bear the names of their fathers ; and an
instance is given of a certain pig -dealer in that
county whose father's name was Johnson, but the
people call him Pigman, and Pigman he calls him
self. This name may be now seen over the door of
a public-house which this man keeps in Stafford
shire.' *
In this connection Mr. Lower adds: “ There were.
* Mark Antony Lower, M . A ., on English Surnames,
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 15
lately living in the small town of Folkestone, Co .
Kent (Eng.), fifteen persons whose hereditary name
was Hall, but who, gratiâ distinctionis, bore the
elegant designations of
DOGGY HALL, FEATHERTOE,
BUMPER, . . BUBBLES,
PIERCE-EYE, FAGGOTS ,
CULA , JIGGERY,
PUMBLE - FOOT, COLDFLIP
SILVER -EYE, LUMPY,
SUTTY, THICK - LIPS. .
OLD HARE.
A SURNAME is an additional name added to the
Proper or given name, for the sake of distinction,
and so called because originally written over the
other name, instead of after it, from the French
Surnom , or the Latin “ Super nomen ,” signifying
above the name.
Surnames have originated in variousways. Some
are derived from the names of places; others from
offices and professions; from personal peculiarities ;
from the Christian or proper name of the father;
from the performance of certain actions; from
objects in the animal, mineral, and vegetable world ,
and from accidental circumstances of every varied
character.
16 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
The introduction of surnames arose from the
necessity of the case. Soon after the diffusion of
Christianity among the nations of Europe, their
Pagan names were generally laid aside, and the
people began to take Hebrew names, such as Moses,
Aaron, Malachi, David, Matthew , Mark, Luke,
John, Peter, James. As the families increased ,
many persons were found bearing the same name.
The Johns, and the Jameses, and the Peters became
numerous.
For a long time, soubriquets and nicknames, like
those of which we have spoken , and patronymics,
were appended to the name to distinguish the in
dividual, which were in some cases retained, and
became surnames, but by degrees this means of
remedying the confusion became insufficient, and to
identify the individual more distinctly, surnames
were found necessary .
It is impossible to state at what precise period
names became stationary , or began to descend hered
itarily . According to Camden , surnames began to
be taken up in France about the year 1000, and
in England about the time of the Conquest ( 1066 ),
or a very little before, under King Edward the
Confessor.
He says: “ And to this time doe the Scottishmen
referre the antiquitie of their surnames, although
 SIG "CATION OF NAMES. 17

Buchanan supposed that they were not in use in

Scotland many yeares after.
“ But in England, certaine it is, that as the better
sort, euen from the Conquest, by little and little,
took surnames, so they were not settled among the
common people fully vntil about the time of King
Edward the Second, but still varied according to
the father's name, as Richardson, if his father were
Richard ; Hodgson , if his father were Roger, or in
some other respect, and from thenceforth began to
be established (some say by statute) in their
posteritie.
“ This will seem strange to some Englishmen and

to reach many an age beyond the Conquest. But

they which thinke it most strange (I speake,vnder
correction ), I doubt they will hardly finde any
surname which descended to posteritie before that
time; neither have they seene (I fear) any deed or
donation before the Conquest, but subsigned with
crosses and single names, without surnames, in this
manner, in England — * Ego Eadredus confirmaui;
* Ego Edmundus corroboraui; * Ego Sigarius con

" Likewise for Scotland, in an old booke of

Duresme in the Charter, whereby Edgare, sonne
 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
of King Malcolme, gave lands neare Coldingham to
that church, in the year 1097, the Scottish noble
men, witnesses thereunto, had no other surnames
but the Christian names of their fathers, for thus
they signed - S. Le Gulfi filii Meniani. S. + Culuerti
filiż Doncani, etc .”

On the authority of Dr. Keating* and his cotem

porary Gratianus Lucius, we learn that surnames
first became hereditary in Ireland, in the reign of
Brian Boru, who was killed in the battle of Clon
tarf, in the year 1014, in which battle the Danes
were defeated . Previous to this time, individuals
were identified by Tribe names, after the Patriarchal
manner. These tribe names were formed from ,
those of the progenitors by prefixing the following
words, signifying race, progeny, descendants, etc. :
Corca , Cineal, Clan, Muintir, Siol, Sliocht, Dal,
Tealach , Ua, Ui, or 0 ,which signifies grandson or
descendant.
It is asserted on the authority of the ancient Irish
Manuscripts, that King Brian ordained that a cer
tain surname should be imposed on every tribe or
clan, in order that it might be more easily known
from what stock each family was descended ; and
* See Irish Finny Journal, 1841, p . 365, “ Origin and Meanings of .
Irish Family names,by John O'Donovan."
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 19

that these names should become hereditary and

fixed forever. In the formation of these names,
care was taken that they should not be arbitrarily
assumed. The several families were required to
adopt the names of their fathers or grandfathers,
and those ancestors were generally selected who
were celebrated for their virtues or renowned for
their valor.
Many of the surnames now common in Ireland
were derived from the chiefs of the several clans
who fought against the Danes at the battle of
Clontarf, under King Brian , and others were
assumed from ancestors who flourished subsequently
to the reign of that monarch . Soon after the
invasion of Ireland by Henry the Second, in the
year 1172, the Anglo -Norman and Welsh families
who had obtained large grants of land in that king
dom , in reward for their military services in subdu
ing the inhabitants, from intermarriages and other
causes, began by degrees to adopt the language and
manners of the people, and in process of time be
came “ Hibernis ipsis Hiberniores," more Irish than
the Irish themselves. They not only spoke the
Irish language, but conformed to the Irish custom
of surnames, by placing “ Mac,” which signifies
" son ," before the Christian name of their father.
This was particularly the case in regard to those
20 . ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND .
English and Welsh families who settled in the
province of Connaught. Thus, the descendants
of William De Burgos were called .MacWilliam ,
that is, the son of William , and the De Exeters
assumed the name of MacJordan, from Jordan De
Exeter, who derived his name from Exeter, a town
in Devonshire, England.
In the year 1465 , in the reign of Edward the
Fourth , it was enacted by statute, that every Irish
man dwelling within the English pale, then com
prising the counties of Dublin , Meath , Lowth , and
Kildare, in Ireland, should take an English sur
name.
“ At the request of the Commons, it is ordeyned
and established by authority of said Parliament,
that every Irishman that dwells betwixt or among
Englishmen , in the county Dublin, Myeth , Uri
ell, and Kildare, shall goe like to one English
man in apparel, and shaveing off his beard above
the mouth , and shall be within one year sworn
the liege man of the king, in the hands of the
lieutenant, or deputy , or such as he will assigne to
receive this oath for the multitude that is to be
sworne, and shall take to him an English surname
of one towne, as Sutton, Chester, Trym , Skyrne,
Corke, Kinsale ; or colour, as .White, Black, Brown ;
or art or science, as Smith , or Carpenter; or office,
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 27

as Cook, Butler ; and that he and his issue shall use

this name under payne of forfeyting of his goods
yearly till the premises be done, to be levied two
times by the yeare to the king's warres, according
to the discretion of the lieutenant of the king or his
deputy.” — 5 Edward IV ., cap. 3 .
In obedience to this law , Harris, in his additions
to Ware, remarks that the Shanachs took the name
of Fox , the McGabhans or McGowans, that of
Smith , and the Geals the name of White. In con
sequence of this statute of Edward, many Irish
families were induced to translate or change their
names into English .
The ancient prefixes of Mac and O are still retained
in Irish names, the former denoting son, and the lat
ter grandson , or descendant.· To distinguish the
individual the father's name was used , and some
times that of the grandfather after the manner of
the Scripture. Thus, should Donnel have a son, he
would be called MacDonnel, that is, the son of Don
nel, and his grandson would be termed O 'Donnel;
O 'Neal, the grandson of Neal, or the descendant of
Neal; MacNeal, the son of Neal. .
· The Welsh , in like manner, prefixed Ap,mab, ab,
or vap to the given or first name to denote son , as
David Ap Howell, David the son of Howell ; Evan
Ap Rhys, Evan the son of Rees ; Richard Ap Evan,
22 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
Richard the son of Evan ; John Ap Hugh , John
the son of Hugh. These names are now abreviated
into Powell, Price, Bevan, and Pugh .
The name of the ancestor was appended in this
manner for half- a-dozen generations back , and it is
no uncommon occurrence to find in their old re
cords a name like this : ..
" Evan -ap -Griffith-ap- Jones-ap -William -ap-Owen ,
ap - Jenkin -ap-Morgan -ap-Rheese."
Lower tells of a church at Llangollen , Wales,
dedicated to “ St. Collen-ap -Gwynnawg-ap -Clyn .
dawg-ap-Cowrda-ap-Caradoc - Freichfras - ap - Llyn
Merim -ap-Einion-Yrth -ap -Cunedda-Wledig -- a name
that casts that of the Dutchman ‘ Inkvervankodsdor
spankkinkadrachdern' into the shade.”
Surnames were not adopted in Wales until long
after they were in England and Scotland. The old
manner was retained as far down as the time of
mann

Henry the Eighth . It is related in Camden , " That

in late yeares, in the time of King Henry the
Eight, an ancient worshipful gentleman of Wales
beeing called at the pannel of Jurie by the name of
Thomas ap-William -ap- Thomas-ap- Richard -ap - Hoel
ap-Euen -Vaghan,' was advised by the judge to leave
that old manner ; whereupon he after called himself
Moston , according to the name of his principall
house, and left that surname to his posteritie.”
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 23
About this time, the heads of the Welsh families
either took the names of their immediate ancestors as
surnames, or adopted names from their estates,
after the English manner
The old Normans prefixed Fitz, a son, the same
as Fils in French , and Filius in Latin , to the name
of the father as a patronymic, as Fitz William , the
son of William , the same as Williamson .
In Ireland, after the invasion of Strongbow , in
the time of Henry the Second, names commencing
with Fitz frequently occur, as Fitzhugh, Fitzgerald ,
Fitzgibbon, Fitzsimmons, Fitzpatrick , which are of
Anglo -Norman origin . Camden informsus that in
the reign of Henry the First, the daughter and heir
of Fitzhamon , an English nobleman of wealth ,
refused the hand of Robert,the natural son of the
king, saying,
" It were to me a great shame
: To have a lord withouten his twa name.”

Whereupon, the king gave him the name of Fitz

lawful wedlock not unfrequently have had Fitz

prefixed to the name of their mother or reputed
father. The children of his Royal Highness, Wil
liam , Duke of Clarence, and Mrs. Jordan , took the
surname of Fitzclarence.
24 . ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
Witz, a termination common in Russian names,
denotes son , and is somewhat analogous to the Nor
man Fitz,as Peter Paulowitz, Peter the son of Paul.
Sky is used in a similar manner by the Poles, as
James Petrowsky, James the son of Peter .
ING, Teutonic, denoting progeny — which Wachter
derives from the British engi, to produce, bring
forth - was affixed by the Anglo -Saxons to the
father's name as a surname for the son, as Cuthing
the son of Cuth , Ælfreding the son of Alfred, Whit
ing the Fair offspring, Browning the Dark off
spring. Gin , in Gaelic, signifies to beget ; An,
Gaelic , is a termination of nouns implying the
diminutive of that to which it is annexed, and an ,
in the Welsh , as an "affix, conveys also the idea of
littleness. The termination son was also added to
the father's name, and instead of saying John
the son of William , the name was written John
Williamson ; Peter Johnson, in place of Peter the
son of John. While the English ,affixed son to the
baptismal name of the father, the Welsh merely
appended “ s," as John Matthews, that is, John the
son of Mathew ; David Jones (Johns), David the
son of John ; John Hughs, John the son of
Hugh .
Kin , kind , ling, let, et, ot, cic, cock , are diminutives.
From the German kind, a child , is formed the
 : SIGNIFICATION OF NÁMES. 25
diminutive termination, kin , as Watkin the son of
Wat or Walter ; Wilkin the son of Will or Wil.
· liam . Kin or kind has the same signification as the
Greek yévos and the Latin genus, race, offspring,
children .
LING at the end of a word conveys the idea of
something young or little, as darling or dearling,
firstling, gosling, and denotes also the situation,
state, or condition of the subject to which it is
applied, as hireling, worldling.
LET, Anglo-Saxon lyt, is sometimes used for
little, as hamlet, ringlet, streamlet, Bartlet ; i. e.,
little Bart or Bartholomew . The terminations et
and ot are usėd in the same sense, as Willet, Willmot,
the son of William or little William . . .
The termination cic or cock is also a diminutive,
and signifies little or son, as Hiccic, Hiccock , the son
. of Hig or Hugh ; Wilcock, the son of William ;
Babcock , the son of Bob or Robert.

LOCAL NAMES form the largest class of our sur

names. First among these are those which are
national, expressing the country whence the person
first bearing the name came; as ENGLISH, SCOTT ,
IRISH, FRENCH. .
GERMAN or GORMAN, BRETT and BRITAIN .
FLEMING, from Flanders.
 26 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND

· BURGOYNE, from Burgundy. ,

CORNISH and CORNWALLIS , from Cornwall.
GERMAINE , ALMAN and D ’ ALMAINE (D ' Alle
magne), from Germany . . .
CHAMPAGNE and CHAMPNEYS, from Champagne ,
France.
· GASCOYNE and GASKIN , from Gascony .
ROMAYNE , from Rome.
WESTPHAL , from Westphalia.
HANWAY , from HAINAULT.
JANEWAY , a Genoese — etc., etc.
These names had commonly Le (the) prefixed to
them in old records. .
The practice of taking names from patrimonial
estates, or from the place of residence or birth , was
prevalent in Normandy and the contiguous parts of
France in the latter part of the tenth century, and,
was generally adopted in England and Scotland after . .
the Conquest.
Names were taken from almost every county ,
city , town, parish, village, and hamlet, and from
manors, farms, and single houses, such as Cheshire ,
Kent. Ross, Hastings, Cunningham , Huntingdon ,
Preston, Hull, Compton , Goring, etc., so that local
names of this class number many thousands.
Where the name was taken from the patrimonial
estate , it was assumed by the individual himself ;
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES.
when from the place of residence or birth , it was
probably bestowed by others. A person who had
removed from his native place and settled in an
other, received from the inhabitants of the town
or village in which he took up his abode the name
of his native place as a surname, which descended
to his children .
These names were first given with the prefix " of,"
shortened frequently to “ O ” or “ à ,” signifying from
(or it may be sometimes an abreviation of “ ať'), as
John O 'Huntingdon , Adam à Kirby. These prefixes
were after a time dropped, and Adam à Kirby
became Adam Kirby, and John O 'Kent, John Kent.
Besides these, we have a great number of local
surnames which are general and descriptive of the
nature or situation of the residence of the persons
upon whom they were bestowed, as Hill, Wood ,
Dale, Parke, etc. The prefix At or Atte was gen
erally used before these names, as John At Hill,
John at the hill, James At Well, Will At-Gate, Tom
At-Wood, now Atwell, Adgate, and Atwood. Atte
was varied to Atten when the following name began
with a vowel, as Peter Atten Ash , now Nash ,
Richard Atten Oak, now Noakes or Nokes.
Sometimes “ d ” was used instead of at, as Thomas
à Becket, Jack à Deane. By and under were used as
prefixes, as James By- field , Tom Under -hill.
28 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND

In this way men took their names from rivers

and trees, from residing at or near them , as Beck ,
Gill, Eden , Trent, Grant, and Shannon ; Berich ,
Vine, Ashe, Bush , and Thorn .
Local names prefixed with De (from ) and termi
nating in ville, originated in Normandy, and were
introduced into England at the time of the Con
quest. These names were taken from the districts
towns, or hamlets of which they were possessed, or
in which they resided previously to their following
the fortunes of William the Conqueror, such as
De Mandeville, De Neville, De Montague, De Warren ,
De Beaumont, etc. The prefix De was generally
dropped about the reign of Henry the Sixth . All
these names introduced into England at the time of
the Conquest, from Normandy and the contiguous
parts of France may easily be distinguished by the
prefixes De, Du, Des, De La, St., and the suffixes,
Beau, Mont, Font, Fant, Ers, Age, Ard, Aux, Bois,
Eux, Et, Val, Court, Vaux, Lay, Fort, Ot, Champ,
and Ville, the component parts of names of places
in Normandy, the signification of most of which we
give in the derivation of those names into the com
position of which they enter. . .
The greater part of English local surnames are
composed of the following words or terminations :
Ford , Ham , Ley , Ey, Ney , Ton , Tun, Ing, Hurst,
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 29
Wick , Stow , Sted , Caster, Combe, Cote, Thorpe,
Worth, Burg , Beck , and Gill. . There is an ancient
proverb
" \ n Ford , in Wam , in Zey and Ton,
The most of English surnames run .”

To which Lower has added

" Ing, Wurst, andWood ,Wick , Sted and Field ,
Full many English surnames yield ,
With Thorpe and Bourne, Cote, Caster, Oke,
Combe, Bury, Don ,and Stowe, and Stoke,
With Ey and Port, Shaw ,Worth andWade,
Will, Gate ,Well, Stone, are many made ;
Cliff, Marsh, and Mouth, and Down, and Sand,
And Beck , and Sea, with numbers stand.”

FORD, Welsh, Fford, signifies a way, a road.

Ford, Saxon, from the verb Faran , to go or pass,
denotes a shallow place in a river, where it may be
passed on foot, whence Bradford , Crawford , Stan.
ford , etc.
HAM , Saxon, a house , a home, a dwelling-place;
German, heim , a home. It is used in the names
of places, as Waltham , Durham , Buckingham , etc.
Ham , in some localities in England, indicates a rich ,
level pasture ; a plot of land near water ; a triangu
lar field .
LEY, LEGH, and LEIGH, a .pasture, field , com
30 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND

mons ; uncultivated land. Lle, Welsb , a place,

Stanley , Burkeley , Raleigh, etc.
EY, NEY, Ea are applied to places contiguous to
water ; a wet or watery place, as Chertsey, Lindsey,
Ilsley.
Ton and TUNE, Saxon, and TUIN , Dutch , signify
an inclosure ; DUN and Din , Gaelic and Welsh, a
hill, a fortified place ; now a town, dun, tune, town.
If the residence of the Briton was on a plain , it was
called Llan, from lagen or logan , an inclosed plain ,
or a low -lying place ; if on an eminence, it was.
called Dun. Dun, in the Gaelic, signifies a heap ; a
hill,mount; a fortified house or hill, fortress, castle,
or tower.
The surnames terminating in den , din , ton and
tun, are numerous, as Houghton, Leighton, Chitten
din , Huntington.
ING is a meadow ; low flat lands near a river,
lake, or wash of the sea, as Lansing, Washington.
HURST, a wood, a grove; a word found in many
names of places, as Bathurst, Hayburst, Crowhurst,
Reddenhurst.
WICK, in old Saxon , is a village, castle, or fort ;
the same as vicus in Latin ; a bay, a port or harbor,
whence Wickware, Wickliff, Warwick, Sedgewick .
Stow , a fixed place or mansion, whence Barstow ,
Bristow , Raystow . . . ,
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 31
• STED, in the Danish , signifies a place inclosed, an
inclosure; a fixed residence ; whence Halsted , Olm
sted , Husted,Stedham , Grinsted .
CEASTER, Saxon, a camp, a city ; Latin, castrum ,
whence Rochester, Winchester, Chichester, Exeter.
· COMBE , Anglo -Saxon , a valley ; Welsh , cwm , a
vale, from which we have Balcombe, Bascombe,
Slocum .
CoT, CETE, Saxon, à cottage; COTE, French, the
sea -coast ; a hill, hillock ; down ; the side. Several
names are composed of these words, as Cotesworth ,
Lippencot, Westcot.
THORPE , Anglo -Saxon, a village. Dutch , Dorp ,
from this comes Northrop , Northrup or Northorp ,
Winthorp or Winthrop.
WORTH, a possession, farm ; court, place; a fort,
an island. Such names end in worth , as Bosworth ,
Farnsworth , Wordsworth , Woodworth .
BURG , BURY, a hill ; Dutch, Berg, a mountain , a
hill ; now, a court, a castle, a town. From these
words we have the names Kingsbury, Loundsbury ,
Waterbury , Salisbury, Rosenburg or Rosenbury.
TRE, TREF, Welsh , a town, Coventry , the town
of the Convent; Trelawny, Tremayne.
: . The Britons of Cornwall derived many of their
surnámes from local objects, wbile most of the
Welsh names are patronymics. The following
32 . ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
couplet expresses the usual character of Cornish
names :
“ By Tre, Ros, Pol, Lan , Caer, and Pen,
You know the most of Cornish men.”
These words signify town, heath, pool, church,
castle , and promontory .
By is a termination of Danish names of places,
and denotes a dwelling, a village, or town, as
Willoughby, Busby, Ormsby, Selby, Goadby. .
OVER. The Anglo- Saxon over corresponds to
the German ufer, and signifies a shore or bank, as
Westover.
BECK, a brook, Anglo-Saxon, Becc, from which we
have Beckford, Beckwith, Beckley , etc.
A majority of Dutch surnames are local, derived
from places in Holland. . VAN , Dutch, Von,German,
signify of or from , and denote locality, as Van
Antwerp , belonging to or coming from the city of
Antwerp ; Van Buren , from the town of Buren in
Holland. Nearly all the Dutch local names have

SURNAMES DERIVED FROM CHRISTIAN OR BAPTIS

MAL NAMES are probably next in number to the local

the introduction of stationary surnames, the name

səf the father was used by the child as a surname.
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 33

Camden says we have many surnames formed of

such forenames as are now obselete, and only occur
in Doomsday Book and other ancient records, of
which he gives a list.
LIDU.

I have already shown how the Normans prefixed

Fitz to their father's name for a surname, to denote
son ; the Welsh Ap, and the ancient Irish, Mac.
The surnames formed from Christian or baptismal
names are very numerous; as many as ten or fif
teen are frequently formed from a single Christian
name. Lower forms no less than twenty-nine from
the name of William . .
First we have the names terminating in son ,
which was added to the name of the father, as.
Williamson, Johnson, Thompson , Wilson , etc.
The Welsh merely appended " g" instead of son ,
as Edwards, Davis, Jones ( Johns), Hughs.
Then we have those formed from nicknames,
nursenames, and abbreviated names, as Watson , the
son of Wat or Walter; Watts, the same; Simpson,
Simms ; Dobson , the son of Dob or Robert ; Dobbs,
Hobson, Hobbs, etc., etc. .
A great many are formed of these abreviated or
nursenames, with the addition of the diminutive
terminations ette, kin , and cock or cox, all of which
signify." little ” or “ child." . From the termination
34 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
ette we have such names 'as Willett, little Will, or
the son of Will ; Hallett, little Hal or Henry .
From kin or kins we have Wilkins, Tompkins,
Simpkins, Atkins, Hawkins, Higgins, Dobbin, and
Gilicin . From cock or cox , Wilcox , Simcox , Babcock ,
the son of Bab or Bartholomew ; Alcock , the son of
Hal or Henry,and Hickcox , the son of Hig or Hugh.

NAMES OF TRADE, OCCUPATIONS, AND PURSUITS,

are next in number, as Smith , Carpenter, Joiner,
Taylor, Barker, Barber, Baker, Brewer. Sherman (a
shearman, one who used to shear cloth ), Naylor
(nail-maker), Chapman, Mercer, Jenner (Joiner),
Tucker (a fuller ), Monger (a merchant), etc., etc .
These names originally had the Norman prefix
“ Le" (the), as Le Spicer, Le Dispenser, Le Tailleur. "

OFFICIAL NAMES, including civil and ecclesiastical

dignities, viz ., King, Prince , Duke, Lord , Earl,
Knight, Pope, Bishop, Priest, Monk, Marshall, .
Bailey, Chamberlain, etc., etc. .
Many of these titles, as King, Prince, etc.,. were
imposed on individuals from mere caprice, as few
of these kings or dukes ever held the distinguished
rank their names indicate.
It is said that nearly nine hundred Kings are
born annually in England and Wales.
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 85

We find the following in Lower's Essay, as taken

from the " History of Huntingdon ."
" TRUE COPY of a jury taken before Judge
Doddridge, at the assizes holden at Huntingdon,
A.D . 1619. (It is necessary to remark, that the
judge had, at the preceding circuit, censured the
sheriff for empannėling men not qualified by rank
for serving on the Grand Jury, and the sheriff being

least.") On calling over the following names, and

pausing emphatically at the end of the Christian,
instead of the surname, his lordship began to think
he had, indeed , a jury of quality :
Maximilian KING of Toseland,
Henry PRINCE ofGodmanchester,
George DUKE of Somersbam ,
William MARQUIS of Stukeley,
Edmund EARL of Hartford ,
Richard BARON of Bythorn ,

Stephen CARDINAL of Kimbolton,

Humphrey BISHOP of Buckden ,
Robert LORD ofWaresley,
Robert KNIGHT of Winwick ,
William ABBOTT of Stukeley,
Robert BARON of St. Neots,
William DEAN of Old Weston ,
36 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
John ARCHDEACON of Paxton ,
Peter ESQUIRE of Easton,
Edward FRYER of Ellington ,
Henry MONK of Stukeley, .
George GENTLEMAN of Spaldwick,
George PRIEST ofGraffham ,
Richard DEACON of Catworth .

“ The judge, it is said , was highly pleased with

this practical joke, and commended the sheriff for
his ingenuity. The descendants of some of these
illustrious jurors still reside in the county, and bear
the same names ; in particular, a Maximilian King,
we are informed , still presides over Toseland.”
Personal characteristics have given origin to
another class of surnames, descriptive of mental or
bodily peculiarities. Among these are many names
of color and complexion, as Black , Brown, Blond,
White, Gray , Grissel (grayish ), Rous (red), Dunn
(brown ) ; and from the color of the hair, White
head, Whitlock, Fairfax (fair-hair), Brunel, Roth
(red ), Swartz (black ), Fairchild , Black, Black
man , etc.
Those which indicate the mental or moral qual
ities are such as Good , Goodman, Goodfellow ,
Giddy, Wise, Wiley, Meek , Merry, Moody, Bliss,
Joy, Gay, Sage.
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 37

Those derived from bodily peculiarity and from

feats of personal strength or courage, Strong, .
Mickle, Little, Long, Short, Strongfellow or Streng
fellow , Hardy, Proudfit, Lightbody, Ironside, Arm
strong, Crookshanks, Turnbull, and Camoys.
“ Round was his face, and camuse was his nose.”
CHAUCER.

We find such names bestowed among the Greeks

and Romans. The Greeks had their Sophocles
(wise ); Agathios (good), and Strabo. (squint-eyed ),
and Paulus (little). The Romans, their Pius, Pru:
dentius, Longus; their Naso (bottle-nose), Calvus
(bald - pate), Flaccus (loll-eared), Varus (bow -legged ),
Ancus (crooked arm ), Crispus ( curly -headed ), etc.
As I have before remarked , the Britons, Gaels, and
Celts bestowed many names descriptive of personal
peculiarities, and mental and bodily qualities, as
Cadrod Hardd, Cadrod the beautiful; Con Bachach ,
Con the lame; Shane Buidhe (Boyd), John -with the
yellow hair; Seumas Reagh , James the swarthy ;
Vaughan, little ; Gough; red ; Gwynne, white, etc .

. Some surnames are derived from animals, such

especially as were noted for fierceness or courage, as
the bear, the wolf, the lion , whence the names
Byron ,or bear; Wolf, French Loupe,German Guelph ,
the surname of the existing Royal Family of Great
38 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND
Britain ; Wild -boar or Wilbur, Lovel or Luvel,
from Lupellus, a little wolf ; Bull; Brock (a badger ),
Todd (a fox), Hare, Hart, Leveret, Roe, Stagg, etc.,
to which some add the name of Hog and Hogden, a
sheltered swine pasture.
A writer in the Edinburg Review , April, 1855,
has remarked that Eber or Eafer, a boar, is the root
of the following names : Eber, Ever, Ebers, Ever

Richard the Third was called the Boar or the

Hog, " and so gave occasion to the rhyme that cost
themaker his life :
“ The Cat, the Rat, and Lovel the Dog
Rule all England under the Hog."*

The names of fishes have been taken as family

names. From this. source we have Pike, Burt,
Chubb , Mullet, Bass, Fish, etc.

.We have Dove, Raven , Lark, Wren , Peacock,

Finch , Sparrow , Swan , Culver, Gosling, Heron,
Wild -goose or Wilgus, Jay, and many others. .
The mineral and vegetable kingdoms have con
tributed their full quota of names. In this list we
* EDINBURG REVIEW , April, 1855. - " The allusion to the names
of Ratcliff and Catesby is obvious. Lovel is said to have borne a
dog as his arms."
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. : 39
find Garnet, Jewel, Gold , Silver, Salt, Steel, Iron,
Flint, and Stone.
From flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees, we have
Lilly, Rose, Ferne , Furze, Heath , Broome, Prim
rose, Pease, Peach, Oak, Cherry, Beach , Ash, Thorn ,
Alder, Pine, and Burch .
We find such names among the Romans — Taurus,
a bull; Vitulus, a calf ; Porcius, like a hog ; Ca
prillus, like a goat; Leo, lion ; Lupus, a wolf; and
the names of Fabius, Lentulus, Cicero, and Piso ,
were given respectively for skill in cultivating
beans, lentils, peas, and vetches .

Many names were taken from the signs over the

doors of inns, or the shops of various tradesmen ,
where goods were manufactured and sold .
Camden informs us, “ that he was told by them
who said they spake of knowledge, that many
names that seem unfitting for men , as of brutish
beasts, etc., come from the very signs of the houses
where they inhabited . That some, in late time,
dwelling at the sign of the Dolphin , Bull, White
horse, Racket, Peacocke, etc., were commonly called
Thomas at the Dolphin, Will at the Bull, George at the
Whitehorse, Robin at the Racket, which names, as
many other of the like sort, with omitting at, be
came afterward hereditary to their children.”
40 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND

In olden times, in London, might be seen the

sign of the Boar’s Head, the Crosskeyes, the Gun,
the Castle, the Crane, the Cardinal's Hat, the
Angell, the Bell, the Swan, the Bowles, the Bar
rell, the Crosier, the Griffin, the Coney, the Jugg,
the Kettle, the Potts, the Pitcher, Sword , Shears,
Scales, Tabor, Tub, etc. i
In the cities and towns, every kind of beasts,
birds, and fishes, objects animate and inanimate,
were taken by tradesmen as signs to distinguish
their shops from others, and to excite the attention
of customers. From many of these, names were
bestowed , and we can account in this way for many
surnames which would otherwise seem strange and
absurd.
Armorial ensigns and heraldic bearings have
given surnames to families. Many of the old
knights took their names - from the figures and
devices they bore on their shields.
"UUS,

The royal line of Plantagenet (Broome) took

their surname from the broom plant, Fulke, Earl
of Anjou , the founder of the house, having worn
a sprig of broom , as a symbol of humility, and
adopted it as his badge after his pilgrimage to the
Holy Land.
Names were borrowed from armor and costume,
as Fortescue (strong-shield), Strongbow, Harness,
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. 41
Beauharnois, Broadspeare, Shakespeare, Shotbolt,
Curthose, that is, short hose, Curtmantle, a name
given to Henry the Second from his wearing shorter
mantles ' than were then in fashion ; Freemantle,
Coates, Capet. “ Hugh Capet, the founder of the
royal line of France, in the tenth century, is said to
have acquired that surname from a freak of which ,
in his boyhood, he was very fond, that of snatching
off the caps of his play- fellows. De La Rocque,
however, gives a different origin for this name,
deriving it from ' le bon sens et esprit qui residoit
à sa teste !' ”

We have names taken from the seasons, the

months, and the days of the week, holidays and
festivals of the church , most of which probably
originated from the period of. birth , such as Sum
mer, Spring; Winter, Fall, Monday, Friday, May,
March, Morrow , Weekes, Day, Christmas, Paschal,
Holiday, Noel (Christmas), etc.

Many surnames have originated in soubriquets,

epithets of contempt, and ridicule, and nicknames,
imposed for personal peculiarities, habits, and qual
ities, or from incidents or accidents which happened
to the original bearers. Such names are very nu
merous, and can be accounted for in no other way,
 ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND

They are such as Doolittle, Hearsay , Timeslow ,

Houseless, Tugwell, Steptoe, Goelightly, Bragg,
character ; Lawless, Silliman , Bastard (William the

his birth , as he often signed his name William the

and Leatherhead, Gubbins, that is, the refuse parts

of a fish ; Gallows, and Devil !
We can easily imagine. how some ridiculous
incident or foolish act or saying would confer a
soubriquet or nickname upon a person by which he
would be known and called through life, and which
would even descend to his children, for we often see
this in our day.
The following anecdote from Lower is an illus
tration : “ The parish clerk of Langford, near Wel
lington, was called Redcock for many years before
his death ; for having one Sunday slept in church ,
and dreaming that he was at a cock -fighting, he
bawled out ' a shilling upon the red cock ! And
behold , the family are called Redcock to this day.”
We have gone through the principal sources
from which the greater part of our surnames are
derived ; but many names yet remain for the origin
of which we are at a loss to account.
But shall we wonder when we consider that
 SIGNIFICATION OF NAMES. · 43
names have been taken and bestowed from every
imaginable incident and occurrence unknown to us,
and that many of them have been so corrupted in
process of time,that we can not trace their originals.
All names must have been originally significant.

In the wordsofour old friend Camden :

disliked , in respect either of originall or ofsignifica

tion ; for neither the good names doe disgrace the
bad, neither doe euil names disgrace the good. If
names are to be accounted good or bad, in all coun
tries both good and bad have bin of the same sur
names,which , as they participate one with the other
in glory , so sometimes in shame. Therefore, for
- ancestors, parentage, and names, as Seneca said, let
every man say, Vix ea nostra ' voco. Time hath
intermingled and confused all, and we are come all

high and low ; òr as he saith more plainly , the low

are descended from the high, and contrariwise the
high from the low ."
ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
2

FAMILY NAMES .

In the following Dictionary, in giving the languages from

which the names are derived, I have used these abbreviations:
Nor. Fr. Norman French. , Ger. German .
Sax. Saxon. Teut. Teutonic.
Cor. Br. Cornish British. Lat. Latin .
Fr. French . Gr. Greek,
Du. Dutch. . Heb. Hebrew .
A . S. Anglo-Saxon. Dan . Danish .
The term Gaelic is often used instead of what is commonly
called the Celtic. The Celts of Ireland call their language the
or Gael. The Gaelic is spoken in different dialects, by the de
scendants of the ancient Celts or Gaels, in a large portion of
some extent, in the Isle of Man . ,
The names of many of the rivers, headlands, hills, and mount
ains in Britain are found to be ofGaelic or Celtic origin.
· The ancient British or Welsh language, spoken and written
by the people of that name, is more nearly allied to the Gaelic
than the Teutonic .
The Cornish -British is a dialect of the Celto -Belgic or Cam
brian, formerly spoken throughout Cornwall, but now extinct.
 46 . . ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY .
· The Saxon, so named from the people who spoke it, in its :
· idiom , resembled the modern Low Dutch.
The Anglo -Saxon was a compound of the idioms spoken by
the Angli, the Saxons, and the Jutes, who, invited by the Brit
'ish to assist them against the Scots and Picts, finally took pos
session of the country .

AARON . (Hebrew .) Signifies a mountaineer, or mount of

strength.
ABBOT. So named from his office in the church ; the chief
ruler of an abbey - derived from the Syriac Abba,signifying
- father.
ABDALLAH. (Turkish .) The servantof God.
ABEL. (Hebrew .) Vanity, breath.
ABENDROTH . (Ger.) From abend, evening, and roth , red .
The name might have been given to a child born at the
close of day.
ABERCROMBIE . (Celtic and Gaelic.) Local, The name of
a parish in Fife, Scotland, on the northern shore of the Frith
of Forth , whence the possessor took his surname; from Aber,
marshy ground, a place where two or more streamsmeet;
and cruime.or crombie, a bend or crook. Aber, in the Celtic
and Gaelic, and also in the Cornish British, signifies the con
fluence of two or more streams, or the mouth of a river,
where it flows into the sea ; hence it is often applied to
marshy.ground, generally near the confluence of two rivers.
It also signifies, sometimes, a gulf or whirlpool :
ABERDEEN or ABERDENE. (Gaelic and Celtic.) Local. :
The name of a city in Aberdeenshire, whence the surname
was taken. It is derived from Aber, themouth, as above,
and Don , the name of a river, at themouth ofwhich it is
situated.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 47
ABERNETHY. (Gaelic and Celtic.) Local. From a town
in Strathern , Scotland, on the river Tay ; derived from Aber,
as given above, and nethy, in theGaelic, dangerous. Nith or
Nithy, is also the name of a river in the south of Scotland,
and the name may have been taken from a town at or near
its mouth - Abernithy. . .
ABNEY. (Nor. Fr.) Local. A corruption of Aubigny,a town
of France, in the department of Berry, whence the surname
is derived ;so D'Aubigny is corrupted to Dabney.
ABRAHAM .(Heb.) The father of a greatmultitude.
ACHESÓN . (Cor. Br.) An inscription or memorial
ACKART. (Saxon.) From Ack , oak , and ard , nature, disposi
tion ; firm -hearted , unyielding.
ACKERMAN. (Saxon.) From Acker, oaken, made of oak,
and man. The brave, firm , unyieldingman .
ACKERS. (Saxon.) Camden derives this surname from the
Latin Ager, a field . The name, however, is Saxon, and
signifies the place of oaks, or oak -man ; ac and ake being old
terms for oak . .
The termination er,in manynouns has the same signification as
the Latin vir, a man — as Plower, i. e., Plowman ; Baker,
Bakerman .
Like oak, the first Acker might have been firm and unyielding
in his disposition, or he might have used or sold acorns.
ACKLAND. (Saxon.) Local. The name of a place in North
Devonshire, England, whence the surname is derived ; so .
called, because it was situated among groves of oaks — from
. . ack, oak, as above, and land.
ACTON. (Saxon.) Local. The oak-town or oak -hill— the
name of a town in Middlesex, England, whence the name
· is derived.
ADAIR . (Celtic and Gaelic.) Local. From Ath , a ford, and
dare, from darach , the place of oaks, " The ford of the oaks.'
There is the following tradition of the origin of this surname:
 ICAL RY
48 ETYMOLOG DICTIONA
" Thomas, the sixth Earl of Desmond, while on a hunting ex
cursion was benighted ,and lost his way, between Tralee and
Newcastle , in the county of Limerick, where he was re
ceived and hospitably entertained by one William McCor
mic, whose daughter he subsequently married. At this
alliance, the family and clan took umbrage. Resigning his
title and estate to his youngest brother, he fled to France in
1418, and died of grief at Rouen , two years afterward.
The King of England attended his funeral. He had issue,
Ireland, with the hope of regaining the estates and title of
Thomas, his ancestor, slew Gerald, the White Knight, in
single combat at Athdare, the ford of the oaks, whence he
received the name of Adaire. He embarked for Scotland,
where he married Arabella , daughter of John Campbell,
Lord of Argyle.”
ADAMS. (Hebrew .) Man , earthly, or red . The surname of
Adam is of great antiquity in Scotland. Duncan Adam ,
son of Alexander Adam , lived in the reign of King Robert
Bruce, and had four sons, from whom all the Adams,
Adamasons, and Adies in Scotland are descended.
ADCOCK, little Ad or Adam , cock being a diminutive termina
tion. (See Alcock, Wilcox, etc.)
ADDISON . The same as Adamson, the son of Adam , Adie or

Adam , hence Addie -son .

ADEE or ADIE. The same as Adam . (See Addison .)
ADKINS. Little Adam , or the son of Adam , from Ad and
kins, a diminutive, signifying child , from theGerman kind,
so Wilkins, Tompkins, etc.
ADLAM . (Saxon.) Local. From adel, fine, noble, and ham , a
village or castle. Adelham , contracted to Adlam . .
ADLAR. (Dutch.) From Adelaar, an eagle.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 49

ADRIAN or HADRIAN . (Latin.) Local. From the city

Hadria, which Gesner derives from the Greek &&pós, great
or wealthy. .
AFFLECK..(Gaelic and Celtic.) Local. Said to be a corrup
tion of the name Auchinleck , which was assumed by the
proprietors of the lands and barony of Auchinleck, near
Dundee, in Angusshire, Scotland. The name is pronounced
Affleck by the natives. (See Auchinleck .)
AGAN or EGAN . (Gaelic.) From Eigin, force, violence ;
hence, strong-handed, active. The namemay be local, and
named from Agen, a town in Guienne, France ; also Agen ,
Welsh, local,a cleft.
AGAR . (Gaelic and Celtic.) Aighear signifies gladness, joy,
gayety. If from the Latin ager, it denotes a field or land.
AGLIONBY. (Nor. Fr.) Local. From Aglion , an eaglet, and
by,a residence or habitation — the eagle's nest.
AGNEW . (Nor. Fr.) Local. From the town of Agneau in
Normandy, whence the family originated . They wentfrom
England into Ireland with Strongbow . Agneau, in Nor.
Fr. signifies a lamb.
AIKEN. (Saxon.) Oaken ; hard or firm . .
AIKMAN . (Sax.) From ack, oak, and man.
AINSWORTH . (British and Welsh.) 'Local. From ains, a
spring, a river, and gwerth , a place, possession, or court.
In the British and Gaelic, Aun, Ain , Au, Hain , Aon, and
Avon , signify a river; the place or possession on the river.
AITKIN . Probably the same as Atkins (which see).
AITON . (Nor. Fr.) Local. From ea or eau, water, and ton , a

AKEMAN or ACKMAN . (Saxon.) The same as Oakman ,

from his strength or disposition. From ack ,or ake, oak,and
man . -
50 : ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
AKERS. (Saxon.) The same as Ackers(which see).
AKIN and AKEN. The same as Aiken (which see ).
ALAN or ALLAN . Derived, according to Julius Scaliger,
from the Sclavonic Aland,a wolf-dog, a hound, and Chaucer
uses Aland in the same, sense. Bailey derives it as the
same from the British . Camden thinks it a corruption of
Ælianus, which signifies sun -bright. From the same we
have Allen, Allin , Alleyne. In the Gaelic, Aluinn signifies
exceedingly fair,handsome,elegant, lovely ; Irish, Alun,fair, .
beautiful.
ALANSON. The son of Alan . .
ALBERT. (German.). All bright or famous;-beort or bert, sig
nifies famous, fair, and clear, bright; so Sebert and Ethelbert
were sometimes written Se bright and Ethel bright. All,
Eat, and Æl, in old English and Saxon compound names,
have the same signification as the English All, as Al-dred,
Al-win , etc.
ALBRECHT. (Saxon.) The same as Albert - All-bright.
ALCOCK . From Hal or Al,a nickname for Henry ; and cock ,
a termination meaning little, a diminutive, the same as ot or
kin ; little Hal or Al, so Wilcox, little Will, and Simcox,
little Sim , etc.
ALDEN or ALDAINE. (Sax.) Local. From ald, old, and.den
or dun , á hill or town; old -town, or it may be high - own,
from alt, high,Gaelic, and dun, a hill, castle, or town.
ALDERSEY. (Sax.) Local. The isle of alders.
ALDIS . (Saxon.) A contraction of ald -house, the old house .
ALDJOY. (Sax.) The same as the English all-joy.
ALDRED . (Sax.) All-fear - see Albert.
ALDRIDGE. (Sax.) The same as Aldred, of which it is a
corruption.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 51
ALEXANDER. (Greek .) An aider or benefactor of men .
From 'Adégw , to aid or help , and ávip, a man . A powerful
auxiliary .
ALFORD or ALVORD . (Saxon.) Local. From Alford, a
town in Lincolnshire, England, signifying the old ford or
way, from ald, old, and ford, a ford, way, or pass.
ALFORT. (Local.) A village in France, two leagues from
: · Paris.
ALFRED. (Saxon.) All-peace, from all, and fred or friede,
3 peace, like Alwin and Albert.
ALGAR . (Gaelic.) Noble.'
ALLEN. The same as Alan (which see).
ALLENDORF. Local. A town in Hesse,Germany, signifying
the old town ; dorf, a town or village, the same as Olden
dorf.
ALLGOOD. (Saxon.) The sameasthe English All-good .
ALSOP. (Local.) From Alsop, Co. Derby, England. One
might imagine it a corruption of Ale-shop, a name given to
one who kept an ale-shop. A very appropriate name at the
present day ; for “ Alsop's ale” is celebrated all the world
over.

green hill; from al, high, ver, green , and don or ton, a hill.
ALVIN or ALWIN. (Saxon.) All-winning or victorious, the
ALVORD. (Saxon.) The sameas Alford (which see).
AMAKER. (Local.) Derived from Amager, a small Danish
island to the east of Copenhagen.
· AMBLER. (French .) From Ambleur, an officer of the king's
stables; anciently “ le Amblour."
52 , ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
AMERY. (German .) Always rich, able, and powerful, from
the old German Emerich or Immer- reich , always rich. .
AMES. (French .) From Amie, a friend, beloved ; or if from
the Hebrew Amos, a burden . Some think it is a contrac
tion of Ambrose (which see). Amesbury in England was
originally Ambrosebury.
AMHERST. (Saxon.) Local. From ham , a town or village,
and hurst or herst, a wood, the town in the wood, the “ ET,"
by custom , being dropped or silent. It may have been
derived from Hamo, who was sheriff in the county of Kent,
in the time of William the Conqueror ; a descendant of his
was called Hamo de Herst, and the Norman de, and the
aspirate " h” being dropped - Amherst. AMHURST, the con
nected grove, or conjoined woods; " am ,” in the British , as
a prefix , has the sense of Amb, amphi, circum , i. e., about,
surrounding, encompassing ; hence, the surrounding grove,
or Amhurst
AMMADON. (Gaelic.) From Amadan, a numskull, a simple
ton ; may be so called by way of antiphrasis, because he
was wise; as Ptolemy received the surname Philadelphus
(from theGreek píaos,a lover orfriend,and ůdɛapos, a brother),
because he charged two of his brothers with forming designs
against his life, and then caused them to be destroyed .
AMPTE. (Dutch .) Ampt, an official situation ; the house in
which an officer transacts his business ; a lordship of the
Netherlands.
ANDARTON. (Br.) Local. The oak -hill ; from an, the ; dar,
an oak, and ton, a hill.
ANDERSON . The son of Andrew (which see).
ANDREW . (Greek.) From év&peãos,manly, courageous.
ANGEVINE . So named because coming originally from
Anjou, in France. The natives of Anjou wete called
Angevines.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 63
ANGLE or ANGEL. (Greek.) From ấyyelos, a messenger ;
also the name of a town in France where the family may
have originated.
ANGUS. Local. A county of Scotland, sometimes called For
farshire, and took its name, according to Halloran , from
Aongus Fer, grandson to Carbre Riada, who , with others,
invaded the modern Scotland, A.D.498. Angus or Aongus is
derived from Aon , excellent,noble,and gais, boldness,valor. .
ANNAN . Local. A river and borough of Scotland. From the
Gaelic aon, aon , one, one, or the river that divides the dale
in two shares. Amhan, Avon, or An- oun, in Gaelic,may
signify the slow running water ; a gentle river.
ANNESLEY . Local. From a town in Nottinghamshire, Eng
land, and named , perhaps, from Anclo, a city in Norway,
by the free-booters or conquerors of Briton. Annansley,
the lea, lying on the Annon.
ANSELL. Supposed to be an abbreviatioa of Anselm ; also
the name of a bird.
ANSELM . (German.) From the Teutonic Hamstzhelm , a
defender of his companions.
ANSON. The son of Ann, or the same as Hanson , the son of
Hans or John — the “ H ” being dropped in pronunciation.
ANSTRUTHER . (Gaelic.) From Anstruth , an ancient order
of historians or bards among the Celts, next in rank to the
Allamh, or chief doctor of the seven degrees in all the
sciences. His reward was twenty kine. . He was-to-be at
tended by twelve students in his own science; to be enter
tained for fifteen days; and to be protected from all'accusa
tions during that time, and he and his attendants supplied
with all manner of necessaries. Anserath is derived from
Aon, that is, good, great; sruth , knowing, discerning, and
er put for fear, a man . .
ANTHON. A contraction of Anthony, from the Greek úvoos,
a flower ; but, by way of excellency, appropriated to Rose
mary flowers.
54 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
ANTHONY. (Greek.) From avãos; a flower; Aourishing,
beautiful, graceful. .
APPLEBY . Local. A town in Westmoreland, England,
called 'Aballaba by the Romans, from which the name
is derived. By signifies a town,— the apple-town. .
APPLEGARTH . Local. The orchard , apple-garden, or close .
APPLETON . Local. The town abounding in apples.
ARBLASTER . A corruption of Balistarius, a cross-bowman,
one who directed the great engines of war used before the
invention of cannon.'
" In the kernils (battlements) here and there,
* Of Arblastirs great plenty were."
ROM . OF THE ROSE .
ARBUTHNOT. Local. First assumed by the proprietors of
the land and barony of Arbuthnot in the Mearns, Scotland.
The name is said to have been anciently written Aberbuth
noth, which signifies the dwelling near the confluence of the
river with the sea, from Aber, the mouth of a river, both , a
dwelling, and neth, a stream that descends, or is lower than
some other relative object. .
ARCHIBALD. (German.) The sameas Erchenbald, a power
ful,bold,and speedy learner or observer. In theGaelic this
name is called Gillespie — a favorite namewith the Scotch .
ARDAL OF ARDGALL. (Celtic.) Bravery or prowess. Ar
dol, Jocal,.Welsh , from sir; upon and dol or dal,a vale, on
the Vale, or a phase opposite the daie.
ARG YII .: Gaelic ) : An extensive shire on the western coast
: of Biotland. The ranie is derived from the Gaelic Earra
Ghaidheal, that is, the country of the western Gael, or,
according to Grant, the breeding-place of the Gael.
ARLINGTON . Local. From a village in Sussex , England ,
ARLON . A local name, and derived from Arlon , a town in
the Netherlands, thirteen miles east from Luxemburg ,
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 55
ARMISTEAD and ARMSTED. (Saxon.) The place of arms.
ARMITAGE. Local. The same as Hermitage, the cell or
habitation of a hermit, formerly a wilderness or solitary
· place; a convent of hermits or minor friars.
ARMOUR. Defensive arms; all instruments of war. The
name is probably contracted from Armorer, a maker of
armor.
ARMSTRONG . A name given for strength in battle. His
torians relate the following tradition :
This family was anciently settled on the Scottish border ; their
original name was Fairbairn , which was changed to Arm
strong on the following occasion :
An ancient king of Scotland having had his horse killed under
him in battle, was immediately re-mounted by Fairbairn,
his armor-bearer, on his own horse. For this timely assist
ance he amply rewarded him with lands on the borders, and
to perpetuate the memory of so important a service, as well
as the manner in which it was performed (for Fairbairn took
the king by the thigh, and set him on the saddle), his royal
master gave him the appellation of Armstrong. The chief
seat of Johnnie Armstrong was Gilnockie, in Eskdale, a
place of exquisite beauty. Johnnie was executed by order
of James V., in 1529, as a “ Border Freebooter.”. Andrew
Armstrong sold his patrimony to one of his kinsmen , and
emigrated to the north of Ireland in the commencement of
the seventeenth century . The Armstrongs were always
noted for their courage and daring. In the “ Lay of the Last
Minstrel,” when the chief was about to assemble his clans,
he says to his heralds:
“ Ye need not go to Liddisdale ,
For when they see the blazing bale
Elliots and Armstrongs never fail.”
ARNOLD . (German.) The same as Ernold ; from are or
ehre,honor, and hold , faithful or devoted to - faithful to his
honor. How unworthy of the name was the notorious
56 ETY MOLOGICAL DIC TIONARY
ARTHUR. (British ) Á strong man ; from Ar (Lat. vir), a .
man, and thor, strong. In theGaelic, Air is the same as -
Fear, a man ; and the ancient Scythians called a man Aior.
Thor was the Jupiter of the Teutonic races, their god of
thunder. In Welsh , Arth is a bear, an emblem of strength
and courage, and ur a noun termination , a man. · Arthur, a
bear-man , a hero, a man of strength ; the name of a British
OISce.. (Local.). From the province of Artois in the
ARTprin
Netherl ands.
ARUND EL. Local. From a town in Sussex, England, on
the river Arun ; a corruption of Arundale -- " the dale on the
Arun
LL," or ASGALL . In the Gaelic , means a sheltered
ASCA
place, a bosom , a covert. Aisgiodal or Aisgall was one of
the Danish commanders at the battle of Clontarf, near
Dublin . The name is expressive of courage and strength .
From this may be found the name of Hascall. If the name
is of British origin, it would signify the sedgy moor, from
Hesg, and hal or hayle — low grounds,meadows.
ASHBURTON . Local. From a town of the same name in .
Devonshire , England . Burton signifies the town on the hill,
and Ashburton the town on the hill covered or surrounded
with ash trees. Ash may be, in some cases, a corruption of
• the Gaelic or Céltic uisge, water.
ASHBY . (Sax.) Local. The house by the “ ash ;” or the
village on a place abounding in ash -trees ; by signifying a
villa or habitation . ?
ASHFORD . (Sax.). Local. A town in Kent, England, op
the river Ash or Esh — the ford over the Ash . .
ASHLEY. (Sax:) Local: The lea, field , or pasture abound
ing in ash -trees. Leegh, ley, or lea, signifying uncultivated
grounds or pastures ; lands untilled, generally used as com
mons,
ASHTON . (Sax.) Local. The ash -hill or town.
 OF FAMILY NAMES.
ASKEW . (Sax.) Local. Acksheugh, hilly lands covered with
oaks. Aschau, local, a town on the bend of a river in Sles
wick, Denmark . Askew , crooked, from the Danish .
ASPINWALL. (Sax.) Local. The aspen-vale.
ASTLEY. (Sax.) Local. A corruption of Estley or Estley,
the eastmeadow or field . (See ley ,under Ashley.)
ASTON . (Sax.) Local. A corruption of Eston or Easton ,
the east town.
ASTOR. Local. Oster, a town in North Jutland. 'Aotip,
Greek, a star. Austeuer, German , a dowry , a portion .
Ooster, the east part.'
ATHERTON. (Sax.) Local. From Atherstone, a town in
Warwickshire, England.
ATHILL. Local. At (the) hill. This family formerly bore
the name of “ De la Hou,” that is, “ of the hill,” which was
anglicized into Athill. They came originally from Nor
mandy.
ATHOL. (Celtic and Gaelic.) Local. A district of Perth
shire, Scotland ; from ath , a ford, and al, an old word for a
rock, a stone, - Rockford, or the ford of the rock .
ATHOW . Local. The same as Athill; how or hoo, a high
place .
ATKINS. Camden derives it from At, a familiar abbreviation
of Arthur, and kins, a diminutive, signifying a child, having
the same meaning as the German kind, a child , an infant,
. i. e., the son of Arthur, so Wilkins, Simpkins, etc.
ATTREE. Local. At (the) tree.
ATWATER. Local. At (the) water.
ATWELL. Local. At (the) well.
ATWOOD. Local. At(the) wood.
3*
 58 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
AUBREY. A corruption of theGerman:Alberic, a name given
in hope of power or wealth ,ric signifying rich or powerful ;
always rich.
AUCHINLECK. Local. A parish in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The etymology of the name may be found in the Gaelic
Ach , an elevation, a mound, or round hill, generally level at
the top ; and leac, a flat stone, a tombstone. In several
parts of Ayrshire may be traced the remains of cairns, en
campments, and Druidical circles. Auchinlecks appears to
have been one of those places where the ancient Celts and
Druids held conventions, celebrated their festivals,and per
formed acts of worship.
AUCHMUTY. (Gaelic.) Local. The field ormount of law ;
an eminence in which law -courts were held , moot-hills, as
they were called ; from Ach, an elevation, a mound, and
mod ,a court, an assembly, a meeting.
AUDLEY. (Sax .) Local. From ald or aud, old, and ley, a .
field or pasture— the old field .
AUSTIN . (Latin .) A contraction of Augustine, from Augus
tinus, imperial, royal, great, renowned.
AVERILL . Local. A corruption of Haverhill, the aspirate
being dropped. Haverill is a town in Suffolk, England, so
named from the Dutch Hyver, Teut., Haber, oats,and hill
the hill sown with oats.
AVERY. (Gaelic.) From Aimhrea (the “ mb” having the
sound of “ v ”), denoting contention or disagreement. It
may be from Avery, a granary, or from Aviarius, Latin , a
bird -keeper.
AVIS . Avis,in French , is a projector, schemer, busy -body.
Avus, Latin, a grandfather, ancestor. Avis, a bird.
AYLMER. This family trace their name and descent from
Ailmer or Athelmare, Earl of Cornwall, in the time of King
Ethelred . Allmor, in Welsh , signifies a valley or dale.
• AYLSWORTH . This name admits of severalmeanings; Eal,
 . OF FAMILY NAMES. 59
Saxon, finished, completed , and worth, a farm -house or vil
lage. Ayles, Cor. Br., low meadow , flat lands,washed by a
river, sea, or lake, and gwerth, a worth , farm , house, village.
AYLEWARD. The ale-keeper.
AYRES. Local. Derived from a river, town, and district of
the same name in Scotland. Air, Gaelic. Derivation un
certain. Itmay come from Iar, west — the course in which
the river runs; or Air, slaughter, the place of battle. The
· Celtic Aer, and the Welsh Awyr, signify , radically , to open ,
expand or flow clearly ; to shoot or radiate . In Thorpe's
catalogue of the deeds of Battle Abbey, we find the follow
ing legendary account of this name :
“ Ayres, formerly Eyre. The first of this family was named
Truelove, one of the followers of William the Conqueror.
Atthe battle of Hastings, Duke William was flung from his
, horse, and his helmet beaten into his face, which Truelove
observing, pulled off, and horsed him again . The duke told
him ' Thou shalt hereafter from Truelove be called Eyre (or
Air), because thou hast given me the air I breathe.' After
the battle, the Duke, on inquiry respecting him , found him
severely wounded (his leg and thigh having been struck
off ) ; he ordered him the utmost care, and on his recovery,
gave him lands in Derby, in reward for his services, and the
leg and thigh in armor, cut off, for his crest ; an honorary
badge yet worn by all the Eyres in England.”
BABA. German , Bube, a boy ; Greek , Bába , an inarticulate
sound, as of an infant crying out; hence, a little child ; to
say Baba, that is, father or Papa. The word is nearly the
same in all languages; it signifies a young child of either sex.
BABER. (Gaelic.) Babair or Basbair, a fencer or swords
man ; one who, by his blows, produced death ; from Bas,
death, and fear, a man.
BABCOCK. Little Bab, or Bartholomew ; from Bab, a nick
name for Bartholomew , and cock, small, little, a son ; cic,
cock , el, and et are diminutives, and include the ideas ofkind
 GICAL ICTIONARY
· 60 ETYMOLO D
ness and tenderness, associated with smallness of si se. It
may be from Bob, the nickname for Robert ; Bobcock, the
son of Robert, Robertson ,
BACHELOR. From the Dutch Bock , a book , and leeraar, a
doctor of divinity , law , or physic. When applied to persons
of a certain military rank, it may be a corruption of Bas
chevalier, because lower in dignity than the milites bannereti.
Killian adopts the opinion that as the soldier who has once
been engaged in battle, is called battalarius, so he who has
once been engaged in literary warfare, in public dispute úpon
any subject. Calepinus thinks that those who took the degree
of Bachelor, were so called (Baccalaurei), because a chaplet
of laurel berries was placed upon them . The word, how
ever, has probably but one origin, which would account for
its various applications.
BACKMAN . German , Bach, a brook, and man. Boekman
bookman. Back, in some places, a ferry ; Backman, a ferry
man .

BACKUS. (Germ .) Frora Back-haus,a bake-house.

BACON . Bacon,from the Anglo -Saxon bácan, to bake, to dry
by heat. Some derive this surnamefrom the Saxon baccen
or buccen , a beech -tree. Upon the monument of Thomas
Bacon , in Brome Church in Suffolk (Eng.), there is a beech
tree engraven in brass, with a man resting under it. It ap
pears, also, that the first Lord-keeper, Sir Nicholas Bacon,
with his two wives, are represented in a similar manner.
BADEAU. (Fr.) Camden says this was a name given to the
Parisians who admired every thing that seems a little extra
ordinary. ,
BADGER. A licensed dealer in grain ; a hawker, a peddler ;
also, the name of a small animal.
BADGELY. Bagasly, local. From a town in Scotland.
BAGLEY. (Sax.) Local. The rising or swelling ground
that lies untilled ; from boelge, rising or swelling, and leagh
or ley, plain or pasture land.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. - 61

BAGOT. (Fr.) A stay or walking staff; a gunstick c drum

stick , from Bagnette. It may be a corruption of Bigot
(which see). Bagad, in the Welsh , signifies a great many.
BAILEY. A name of office ; a corruption of Bailif ,which is
derived from the French bailler, to deliver. A municipal
officer in Scotland corresponding to an alderman .
BAILLIE. (Fr.) Baille, a bailiff; same'as Bailey.
BAIN or BAINE. (Celtic.) Whiteness, fairness. Bain is
also a bath or hot-house. The name may be local, from
Bain , a town in France.
BAISLEY. Baisealach ,Gaelic, proud. .
BAITS. A word used in several languages, and signifies to
feed, to rest for refreshment; one who kept a house of
entertainment.
BAKER . (Sax.) A name of trade, a baker ; from the Saxon
· bacan, to dry by heat.
BALL. (Cor. Br.and Gaelic.) Bal, a mine, the top ofa hill, the top.
BALCOMBE. Local. From Bal,Gaelic, a round body, any
thing thrown up ; a building, house, town; and combe, a
valley ; the round yalley ; tin -works thrown up in a valley,
or a dwelling in such a place. "
* BALDWIN . (Ger.) The speedy conqueror or victor; from
bald , quick or speedy, and win , an old word signifying vic
tor or conqueror, as Bert-win, famous victor; All-win, all
victorious, etc.
mill. Bellyn, local, a town in Lower Saxony. Balaen ,
Welsh , steel, denoting strength and durability .
BALFOUR. Local. From the barony and castle of Balfour,
near the confluence of the rivers Or and Leven . (Scot.) Ball
and Balla , in Gaelic, signifies a casting up, raising, like the
Greek Bážaw , and denotes a wall, fortress, house, a village.
Balfour, i. e., the Keep , or castle on the river Or. Balfoir
the castle of deliverance or security .
62 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
BALLANTINE. . Local. A place where Bal or Belus was
worshiped by the Celts; from Baland teine, fire.
BALLANTYNE. Local. A place of ancient pagan worship
among the Celts, whose principal deity was Belen or Baal,
the sun . To the honor of this deity , the Celts lighted fires
on the 1st of May and Midsummer day. Baalantine signi
fies “ the fire of Baal,” from Baalen and teine, Gaelic, fire. .
BALLARD. (Celtic and Gaelic.) From Ball, a place, a round
elevation ; and ard, high. The Gaelic word Ballart signifies
noisy , boasting. Bal also signifies a lord, and ard , high .
BANCHO. (Gaelie.) The white dog; from ban, white, and
· chu or cu , a dog . Bankhoo (Eng.),the high bank.
BANCROFT. Local. From the Cor. Br. ban, a mount, hill, or
high ground ; and croft, a small field near a dwelling — a
green pasture.
BANGS. This name may be a corruption of Banks, or from
the French bain , a bath , a hot-house.
BANNATYNE. Lọcal. The name of a place in Scotland, sig
nifying the hill where fires were kindled .
BANNERMAN . A name of office in Scotland borne by the
king's standard -bearer.
BANNING . Baaning, Danish, a home, a dwelling.
BANNISTER . The keeper of a bath ; from the French bain ,
a bath .
BANT. (Welsh .) A high place; Bant-lle.
BANTA. (Gaelic.) Local. From Beaunta, hills,mountains.
BANVARD. (Cor. Br.) Local. From ban,a mount, hill,or
high ground ; and vard, a rampart, that is, a fortified bill or
castle .
BAR . Local: A town of France. Barr, a parish in Ayrshire,
Scotland.
BARBER . A name of trade, one who shaves and dresses hair.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 63
BARCLAY. (Sax.) Local. A corruption of Berkeley ; a
town in Gloucestershire, England, derived from the Saxon
beorce, a beech -tree, and leagh or ley , a field , and so called
because of the plenty of beech-trees growing there.
BARCULO. (Dutch.) Local. From Borkulo, a town in
Holland. The namewas originally Van Borkulo.
BARD. (Celtic.) Local. From bawr, a top or summit, the
highest ; and eidde or oidde, instructor — the chief preceptor,
instructor, or poet. .
BARDEL. (Welsh.) Local. A fortification.
BARHYDT. (Dutch.) . From Barheid, sharpness, roughness,
severity.
BARKER. A tanner.
" What craftsman art thou, said the king,
I pray thee tell me trowe ?
I am a Barker, sir, by my trade,
Now tell me, what art thou ?” .
PERCY'S RELIQUES.
BARNARD. The same as Bernard (which see).
BARNES. A distinguished family of Sotterly, Co. Suffolk ,
England. Bearn, local, a city in France. Barnyz, Cor. Br.,
a judge.
BARNET. Local. A town in Hertfordshire, England .
BARNEY. A familiar abbreviation or corruption of Bernard,
or Barnard (which see).
BARNWELL. Local. From the old English Bearne, a wood,
and veld, a field .
BARNUM . Local. A corruption of Bearnham , the town in
the wood or hill. Bern, in the Swiss language, signifies a
bear. This family was originally of Southwick , County
Hants, England.
 ETYMOLOGICAL DIOTIONARY
64
BARR . (Celtic.) Local. The top or summit of any thing ; .
any thing round. Bar, Gaelic, an old word for a bard or
learned man. Bar, local, a bank of sand or earth, a shoal;
the shore of the sea. It may be derived from Barre, a town
Scotland.
BARRAS. (Saxon.) Local. From Baerwas, Saxon , groves,
a place among trees; a town in England. . .
BARRELL. (Gaelic.) From Barrail,excellent, surpassing.
BARRET. (Fr.) Cunning; from the old French barat, strife,
. deceit.
BARRINGÈR. Local. A corruption of Beranger (Lat. Ber
engarus) ; from Beringer, a town in France , where a battle
was fought between the French and the English .
BARRON or BARON. The word Baron is of Celtic extrac
tion, and originally synonymous with man in general. It
has this meaning in the Salic law , and in the laws of the
Lombards; in the English law , the phrase baron and feme
is equivalent to man and wife. It was afterward used to
denote a man of respectability, a stout or valiant man ; and
Barone was also used by the Italians to signify a beggar.
name for a distinguished military leader, who having fought
and conquered under some great commander, was afterward
rewarded by him with a part of the lands which he had
acquired .
As a surname, it was originally Le Baron , The Baron. Gaelic, -
Baran , a baron .
BARROW . Local. A circular earthen mound, marking the
place of interment of some noted person ; also a place of de
fense. The name of a river in Ireland.
BARRY. Local. From the Barry Islands in Glamorganshire,
Wales : so called , says Bailey from Baruch, a devono essere
who was interred there .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 65
BARSTOW . Local. May have various significations. Barr,
the top of a hill, and stow , a place or depository. Bar, in
theGaelic, Welsh , and Cornish -British, means the summit
or top of any thing. The Gaelic or Irish aran and barr,
signify bread, a crop of grain ; Welsh, bar, bread, an ear of
corn ; Saxon, bar and bere, corn, barley . Barstow , a place
where grain is stored. "
BARTHOLOMEW . (Heb.) The son of him who maketh the
waters to mount, or a son that suspends the waters.
BARTLETT. A diminutive of Bartholomew — little Bart.
BARTON. (Sax.) Local. From a town in Lincolnshire,
England ; a corn town, or barley village, from bere, barley,
and ton , an inclosure, a house, a village. Barton , a cur
tilage. In Devonshire, it is applied to any freehold estate
notpossessed of manorial privileges.
BARTUL. (Ger.) An abbreviation of Bartulph,which is from
Beorht, and ulph ; that is, help in counsel, or famous helper.
Bartel, an abbreviation of Bartholomew , used in Holland.
BARWICK or BERWICK . Local. A town in Northumber
land, Eng., at the mouth of the river Tweed. The name
signifies, the town at the mouth of a river, from aber, the
mouth, and wick , a town or harbor. Berewick , the corn
town, from bere, barley, corn.
BASFORD. Local. The shallow ford or way.
BASIL . (Greek.) From Baochevy, royal, kingly .
BASSET. (Fr.) A little fat man with short legs and thighs,
from the French Basset.
BATEMAN . May have two significations, Baitman, a keeper
of a house of entertainment, and Bateman, a contentious
man, from bate, Saxon, strife, to beat, contention.
BATES. Bate, Anglo-Saxon, contention.
66 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
BATH . (Sax.) Local. A town in the county of Somerset,
Eng , famous for its hot baths; so named from the Saxon,
bad, Teutonic,'bad, a place to bathe or wash in . It was
called by the Saxons Acmanceaster,orthe“ sick folks' town ;"
and by the Britons, Caerbaddon , from Caer, a fortified place
· or city, and baddon , a bathing-place, from badd,a bath .
BATHURST. (Sax.) Local From Bath, as above, and
hurst, a place of fruit-trees, a wood or grove. Boothhurst,
the house or lodge in the grove.
BAUM . (Germ .) A tree. Itmay be derived from a town in
France by that name.
BAXTER. (Anglo-Saxon.) Bagster, a baker.
BEACH . Local. The shore of the sea,fake, or river. “ .
BEACHER. A dweller on the beach or bay. .
BEAL. Local. Biel, a town in Switzerland. The Gaelic
word “ Beul," signifies the mouth, and by metonymy, elo
quent,musical.
BEADLE. A nameof office ; a messenger or crier of a court;
an officer belonging to a university or parish .
BEATTY. From the Celtic.Biatach . ‘Anciently, in Ireland,
lands were assigned by the government to a certain number
of persons who were appointed to keep houses of entertain
ment, and to exercise hospitality in the different provinces ;
they were called Biatachs. The office was considered hon
orable, and besides the lands assigned by the king, they
were the lords of seven boroughs or villages, feeding seven
herds of one hundred and twenty oxen each, besides the
grain raised from seven ploughs every year. Beathaich , in
the Gaelic, signifies to feed , nourish , to welcome, to support.
" Beata mor," Irish , to have a great estate. Beatha, Gaelic,
life, food , welcome, salutation .
BEAUCHAMP. (Nor. Fr.) De Beauchamp, from the fair or
beautiful field ; in Latin , De Bello Campo.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. . 67

· BEAUFORT. (Nor. Fr.) De Beaufort, from the fine or

commodious fort. De Bello Forti.
BEAUMONT. (Nor. Fr.) De Beaumont; a city in France,
on the river Sarte, in the province of Mayne ; the fair
mount. De Bello Monte.
BEAUYAIS. (Fr.) De Beauvais. From a town in France ,
ofthat name, signifying the sightly or beautiful place.
BECK. (Anglo- Saxon.) Local. From becc, a brook.
BECKETT. Local. A little brook. (By no means appropri
ate to the furious St. Thomas of Canterbury !
BECKER. (Ger.) From becker, the sameas backer, a baker.
It may be from becher, a cup or goblet, from bechern , to tip
ple ; “ der Becher" (Ger.), drinker, a tippler ; the same in
Dutch.
BECKFORD. (Sax.) Local. Thebrook-ford.
BECKLEY or BEAKLEY. Local. The meadow or pasture
by the brook ; from beck, a brook, and ley, field ormeadow .
BECKMAN . A dweller by a brook or stream , or on a bec, or
neck of land.
BECKWITH . Local. The same as Beckworth, the farm or
place by the brook , from beck , a brook, and worth , a farm .
BEDALE. Local. From a town in England by that name. -
BEDE. He that prayeth , or a .devout man . “ To say our
Bedes, is but to say our prayers.”
BEDDAU. (Welsh.) Local. Graves. “ Rhos-y Beddau," the
heath of the graves, referring to Druidical rites.
BEDEAU. - (Fr.) From bedeau, a beadle, mace-bearer ; a
petty officer in parishes.
BEDELL. The sameas Beadle, of which it is a corruption ; an
officer belonging to a court, university , ward , or parish. .
 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
BEDFORD . Local. . A town and shire in England ; from the
Saxon bedan, battle, war, slaughter, and ford, a way or shal
low place for crossing a river. Byddin -ffordd, Welsh , the
route or way of the army.
BEECHER . (Fr.) Beau chère, fine entertainment; or from
the beech -wood.
BEERS. Local. From Beer,a town in Dorsetshire, England ;
so called from bere, grain , barley ; a fruitful place. In the ·
Dutch, beer signifies a bear, a boar.
BEGG . From the Gaelic Beag, little, young, small of stature.
BELCHER. (Old French.) Bel-chère, good cheer, fine enter
tainment; a happier name than to be a Belcher, and swell
with pride or passion.
BELDEN . (Cor. Br.) The beautiful hill; or Beildin , the hill
ofBelus,a place of Druid-worship.
BELL. A name taken from the sign of an inn or shop. The
sign of a bellwas frequently used . “ John at the Bell” be
came “ John Bell.” Bel, French ,beautiful, handsome, fine. .
BELLAMONT. .(Fr.) De Bellamont, from the fair or beau
tiful mount. De Bello Monte.
BELLAMY. Local. From Bellesme, a town of France; or it
may be Belami, French, a dear and excellent friend ; from
bel, fair or beautiful, and ami,a friend or companion.
BÉLLEW . (Nor. Fr.) De Bellew , a corruption of De Belle
Eau , that is , “ from the beautiful water.” The family orig
inally came from Italy ; they went into England with Wil
liam the Conqueror,and afterward settled in Meath, Ireland.
BELLINGER. Local From Bellinger, a town in South Jut
. land.
BELMONT. (Fr.) De Belmont, from the fair mount; the
sameas Bellamont - De Bello Monte.
BELVIDERE. (Italian.) Pleasant to behold ; from Bello,
pleasant, and videre, to see. .
 OF FAMILF NAMES . 69
BENEDICT. (Latin.) From Benedictus, blessed, well spoken
of, or a person wishing all good. . .
BENJAMIN . (Heb.) The son of the right hand ; the young
est of Jacob's twelve sons. .
BENNETT or BENNET. · A contraction or rather a corrup
tion of Benedict, from Benedictus, blessed.
BENT. Local. A plain, a moor, covered with the bent-grass.
BENTLEY. Local. From bent,as above, and ley , uncultivated
ground, a pasture.
BENSON . Ben ’s-son, the son of Benjamin .
BEORN . (Saxon.) A chief.
BERESFORD. The bears'-ford , from beris,bears, according to
Chaucer. Barrasford , from barra , an old word for a plain ,
open heath .
BERKELEY. (Sax.) Local. From the town of Berkeley , in
Gloucestershire, England, derived from the Saxon Beorce, a
beech -tree, or the box-tree, and leagh or ley, a field , and so
called because of the plenty of beech -trees there growing.
BERNARD or BARNARD. (Sax.) From Bearn or Bairn ,
a child, and ard ( Teut.), nature, disposition ; of a child -like
disposition ; filial affection. Verstegan brings it from Beorn ,
heart- one of a stout heart.
BERRY. (Fr.) Local.. From the province of Berri, in
France.
BERTRAM or BERTRAND. (Sax.) Fair and pure.
BETTS. (Latin.) A contraction of the Latin Beatus, happy.
BETHUNE . Local. From the town of Bethune, a fortified
town, and capital of a county in Artois, Netherlands.
BEVAN . (Welsh.) A. contraction of Ap Evan, or Ivan, the
son of John ; from ap, son, or literally from , and Ivan , John.
So Brice, from Ap Rice ; Pritchard, from Ap Richard , etc.
70 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
BEVERIDGE. Local. From a town in the county of Dorset,
England. Bever is probably a contraction of Belvoir (Fr.),
that is, fine prospect ; and ridge, the back or top of a hill.
A town located on a hill.
BEVERLY. Local. From the borough of Beverly in York
shire, England ; from Belvoir, a beautiful prospect, and ley ,
' a place or field. Some say " the lake of beavers,” from
Beverlac, and so called from the beavers which abounded
in the river Hull, near by. ·
BEWLEY. A corruption of the French Beaulieu , that is, a
beautiful place. . .
BICKERSTETH . Supposed to come from the Welsh word
bicra, to fight, to bicker, and steth, a corruption of staff, used
for tilting or skirmishing. Probably taken from the sign of
an inn. Beker (Dutch ), is a drinking-cup, Bekeren , to drink,
' to tipple, guzzle, with the termination steth , for sted , a place.
BIDDLE The same as Bedell and Beadle (which see).
BIDDULPH. Probably the same as Botolph, which Camden
derives from Boat, and ulph (Saxon), Help, because, per
haps, he was the mariner's tutelar saint, and for that reason
was so much adored at Boston, in England.
BIGALOW . Bygglu , in the Welsh, signifies to hector, to bully .
In the Cor. Br., Bygel is a herdsman , a shepherd, and the
namemay have been applied to the commander of an army.
BIGGAR . Local. A town in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Buy
gar,in Danish, signifies a builder.
BIGLER. (French.) One who squints. Bygylor, Welsh, a
hector.
BIGGORE. Local. An ancient province of France.
BIGOT or BIGOD .' A name given by the French to the Nor
mans, because, as Camden says,"" At every other word they
would swear ' By God,' ” from which they were termed .
Bigodi. It became the surname of Roger de Montgomery,
 OF FAMILY NAMES.

one of the followers of William the Conqueror, who was

called Roger Bigod. The English word bigot has probably
the same origin .
BIGSBY. (Danish.) The place near the town ; from bigs, . .
near, and by, the town.
BILLINGS. Local. From the town of Billing, in Lincoln
shire, England. Beilean, Gaelic, loquacious; a prattling
person .
BING. ich binge,a plies or
BING . (Danish .) Local. Any thing that incloses ; from the
Danish binge, a pen , a .bin , a corn -bin ; a name given to a
place where supplies or provisions were kept.
BINGHAM . Local. From the town of Bingham , in Notting
hamshire, so named from the Danish Bing,' a place where
. provisions were deposited ; and ham , a' town or village.
Bingham , a depository for grain ; a place tilled, inhabited.
BINNEY. Local. From the Cor. Br. Bin, a hill; and ey ,
water; or from Buinne, Gaelic, a cataract, a stream . Bin
neach , in the Gaelic, also signifies hilly, pinnacled,mount
ains.
BIORN . (Danish.) A bear; denoting courage and strength,
the same as Byron . Beren , Saxon , belonging to a bear.
BIRCH . Local. A name probably given from residing at or
near a birch -tree. " John at the birch,” etc.
BIRNIE and BIRNEY. Local. A parish in the shire of
Elgin, Scotland. It was formerly named Brenuth, from
brae-nut, as many hazel-trees grew there. The natives
called it Burn -nigh, that is, a village near the Burn or
river, now corrupted to Birnie.
BIXBY. (Danish .) Local. The house or village among the
box- trees.
BLACKBURN. Local. The black brook or stream . .
BLACKWOOD.. Local. This family derived their name from
the lands of Baron Dufferin and Claneboye, in Scotland, . .
called Blackwood.
72 ETYMOL D .
OGICAL ICTIONARY
BLAIN . (Fr.) Local. From the town of Blain , in Bretagne,
France. Blaen , in the Welsh , signifies the summit or top ;
the same as pen , brig, and bar; the highest part of a mount
ain ; the end or top of an object; the inland extremity of a
glen ; a leader or chief. .
BLAIR." (Celtic.) Local. From Blair or Blar, which origin
ally signified “ a cleared plain,” but from the Celts generally
choosing such plains for their fields of battle, blair cameto
signify a battle. There is a small village called the Blair
near Lochord , about twomiles from Lochleven , in Fifeshire,
Scotland. It signifies a spot where a battle was fought,
“ locus pugnce.” Here, it is supposed, an engagement took
place between the Romans and the Caledonians, A.D. 83.
BLAISDALE . Local. From the old English word Blase,
sprouting forth , luxuriant; and dale, a valley.
BLAKE. A corruption ofthe British Ap, Lake,from Ap,signi
fying from , or son ,and Lake, — the son of Lake. The family
went into Ireland with Strongbow , where the napie be
came corrupted into Blake. Ap Lakewas one of theknights
of Arthur's Round Table.
BLAKEMAN . · A corruption of Blackman , a name probably
given from having a dark complexion .
BLAND. Mild, gentle, smooth : .
BLANEY. Local. Welsh, Bluenae, the inland extremity of a
valley. . .
BLASEDALE . Local. A place in Lancashire, England.
BLAUVELT. (Ger.) Local. The blue field ; from Blau,
blue, and veld or feld, field .
BLEECKER or BLEEKER. (Dutch.) From Bleeker, a
bleacher or whitener of linen . In Danish , bleger.
BLIN . (Welsh.) Local. The same as Blaen , a point, the
inland extremity of a valley . Blin also signifies weary ,
troublesome.
 OF FAMILY NAMES.

BLISS. In English, is a very happy name, imposed by others

· on the individual. Blys, in the Welsh , signifies desiring,
longing.
BLIVEN . "(Danish.) From Beleven, affable, genteel, kind.
BLOOD. In the Dutch , signifies timorous, cowardly ; a simple
ton. Lower informs us that Godkin , Blood ( S'blood), and
Sacre, may be regarded as clipped oaths, and given as names
to the persons in the habit of using them ; and that in the
neighborhood of a fashionable square in London, are now
living surgeons whose names are Churchyard, Death , Bloody
and Staughter.
BLOSS. Local. From Blois, the chief town of a territory of
the samename in Orleans, France.
BLOUNT, BLOUND, or BLOND. (Nor. Fr.) Offair hair or
complexion ; from the French Blond . This family trace
their origin to the Blondi or Brondi of Italy, so named from
their fair complexion . They went into England with Wil
liam the Conqueror. . .
BLUNDELL . (Nor. Fr.) From Blund or Blond, fair-haired,
and having the same signification, only in a lesser degree.
Blundell, a little fair-haired , so Russell, from Rous— red .
BLUNT. The same as Blount (which see).
BLYTH . Glad , gay , joyful. Blyth , local, a town in England.
BOARDMAN. One who keeps a boarding-house.
BOCK. (Dutch.) Bock,a book ; bok, a goat.
· BOCOCK . Beaucock,a fine fellow ; a straggler.
BODINE . (Fr.) Waggish ,merry , sportive. Boodinne, in the
Dutch , signifies a she-messenger.
BODLEY. (Cor. Br.) Local. The house on the lea ; from
Bod , a house, and ley.
BOGART. (Datch.) Local From boomgard, an orchard.
74 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
BOGUE. Local. From the residence being near a bog, or
from the Saxon boga ,a bend, a bow , a corner ; a town in
France ; the name appears on ancient coins in Sussex,
England.
BOLINGBROKE . Local. A town in Lincolnshire, England,
the birth -place of Henry IV . “ The brook or bridge near
the round hill."
BOLSTER. (Cor. Br.) Local. A place in St. Agnes, Wales,
and signifies an entrenchment; from Bolla, a casting or
throwing up, and ter, the earth. Bolwestur, Welsh, a Hang
. er-on. .
BOLTON. Local. A town in England ; the round hill; the
abrupt, steep, round hill.
BOND. The father of a family, “ Pater familias," whence hus
band, that is, house-bond. Bonde, in Danish , is a peasant,
countryman, also a villager. .
BONAR . Local. A town in Scotland ; a chain of hills ; hills
for tillage ; also, the hill of slaughter. Cornish British , Bonar,
the house of slaughter. , .
BONNAL. (Cor: Br.) Local. The house on the cliff.
BONNER . (Fr.) From Bonheur, happiness, good-fortune,
prosperity. .
BONNEY. , (Scot.) Genteel, fine, spruce. French, Bon ,
Bonne,good, handsome.
BONTECOU. (Fr.) Bonte, goodness, strength, fruitfulness,
and cul (pron.ku), the bottom , behind ; denoting, figura
tively,the humor or turn of mind.
BOORMAN. (Sax, and Ger.) A countryman or farmer.
BOOTH . A small cottage.
BORDOEL. Local." A town in Lower Saxony.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 75
BORLAND. (Cor. Br.) Local. The high land; the swelling
or rising land ; from bor, swelling, rising, and land. If from
the Saxon, it signifies the land belonging to the common
people. Bordlands were lands which the lords kept in their
hands for the maintenance of their board or table .
Borland is the name of a village in Fifeshire, Scotland, whence
the family may have originated.
BORRAIL . (Gaelic.) From Borrail, swaggering, boastful,
haughty, proúd. Borrel, in old English , signifies a plain ,
rude fellow , a boor.
BOSCAWEN . (Cor. Br.) Local. From the town of Bos
cawen, in Cornwall, which signifies the house surrounded by
. elder trees.
BOSTWICK . (Cor. Br.) Local. The house near the haven
or creek ; from Bos, a house, and wick , a haven or creek .
It may be from the Dutch Bosch , a wood, and wick , the
town in the wood. Boswick , in the Cornish -British , is the
dwelling near the harbor or village.
BOSWELL . Local. A corruption of Bosseville ; from Bosch ,
a wood, and ville, a village. Bothel,Gaelic, the house of the
powerful.
BOTTESFORD. Local. À town in England.
BOUGHTON. Local. From Boughton , a place in Northamp
tonshire, England ; the bowing or bending hill. Bouton ,
the steep or abrupt hill.
BOUVIER. (Fr.) A drover.
BOTTOM . Local. Any low grounds; a dale or valley .
BOURNE. Local. From the town of Bourne, in Lincoln
shire, England, which is so named from the old English
Bourne, a small river or spring-well.
BOUCHER. (French.) A butcher; a blood-thirstyman.
BOVIE . (Fr.) Local. A corruption of Beauvais, a town in .
France,whence the surnameoriginated, and which signifies
 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
the sightly or beautiful place. The family settled in Holland
from France.
BOWERS. From bur, Saxon, a chamber; a cottage; a shady
recess.
BOWEN. (Welsh .) A corruption of Ap Owen , the son of
Owen , so Price from Ap Rice, and Prichard from Ap
Richard.
BOWES . This surname, according to Grose, originated as fol
lows: about the time of the Conqueror, there was a town
(on the site of the Castle of Bowes), which the tradition of
the family states, was burned. It then belonged to the
Earls of Brittany and Richmond. The castle was built, as
Mr. Horseley thinks, out of the ruins of the Roman Fortress,
by Alan Niger, the second earl of that title, who, it is said,
placed therein William , his relation, with five hundred arch
ers to defend it against some insurgents in Cambridge and
Westmorland confederated with the Scots, giving him for
the device of his standard the arms of Brittany, with three
bows and a bundle of arrows, whence both the castle and
the commander derived their names ; the former being
called Bowes Castle, and the latter, William de Arcubus, or
William Bowes.
BOWLES. Probably from the sign of an inn, as “ John at the
Bowl,” i. e., at the sign of the bowl. Boel, local, a town in
South Jutland, Denmark . Boel, Datch, an estate, also one
who keeps a mistress.
NN .

BOWMAN . A military cognomen ; an archer.

BOWNE. (Cor. Br. and Welsh.) Signifies ready, active,
nimble.
BOWYER. An archer, one who uses a bow ; one who makes
bows.
BOYD. (Gaelic.) From buidhe, yellow -haired. Boyd, a river
of England that unites with the Avon.
BOYER. A name given to a Grandee among the Muscoviteo
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 77 .

BOYNTON . Local. From Buvington, in the Wolds, in the

East Riding of Yorkshire, England, now called Boynton
Dugdale, so named from its being higher in place or alti
tude.
BRACY. (Fr.) Local. From Bracy, a town in Normandy.
BRAINE. Local. A small town and abbey on the river
- Vesle, in France. Brain ,Gaelic, a chieftain ; a naval com
mander ; a captain of a ship .
BRADBURN. Local. The wide or broad brook.
BRADFORD. Local. A town on the Avon, in Wiltshire,
England,whence the surnameis derived ,and which signifies
the broad ford, there being at that place a ford across the
Avon
BRADY. (Gaelic.) Breada, handsome.
BRAGG . Brag, among the Scandinavians,was the god of elo
· quence, and the word was anciently used in the sense of
eloquent; also, accomplished, brave, daring.
BRAMAN . Bramin, a priest among the Hindoos. Bremen ,
local, a city ofGermany,
BRAN . (Gaelic.) Poor ; black ; a raven , a mountain -stream .
Welsh , bran , a crow ; the name of dark rivers.
BRAMHALL . A place where goods are sold ; bram , Danish,
goods on sale.
BRAND. In all the Teutonic dialects brand signifies to burn ;
also a sword, either from its brandishing, or from its glitter
ing brightness. Brant, a hill ; steep , high ; Welsh, Bryn .
BRANDE. Local. A town in Denmark .
BRANDON . Local. A market-town in Suffolk , England,
and means either the burnt town, or the crows' hill.
BRANDRETH. Bailey defines this name “ the curb of a
well,” but I think the name is local, and may be derived as
follows: Bran; both Welsh and Gaelic, signifies a swift
 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
river, and dreth, the sandy shore or strand. Brandreth may
also mean the sandy. shore frequented by wild -fowl, from
Bran, a crow , and dreth, as above. Brwyndreth, in Welsh ,
denotes the shore abounding with rushes, from brwyn,
rushes, and treth , the shore. I prefer, however, to use
Bran in the sense of dark , black, and then we have the
“ dark shore," or water, or a place on the shore of the river .
Bran .
BRATT. (Danish.) Brave, valiant, courageous. .
BRECK . Local. An old word signifying broken , a gap ;
Brecca , an old law term which we find in old Latin deeds,
was used to denote a breach , decay, or want of repair.
Breck is also used in some parts of England to denote pas
ture. Breck , Gaelic, is a wolf or wild savage.
BRECKENRIDGE. Local. From Brecken , broken , out of
repair ; and ridge, Sax., ryg; the top of a hill; a house.
BREED. (Dutch.) From Breed , broad, large. Brede, local, a
town in Sussex, England, and in the Danish , signifies brim ,
margin ; sea -side, shore, river-side.
BREESE. (Welsh .) A contraction of Ap Reese, the son of
Reese, or Rice (which see) ; so Bevan from Ap Evan , Brice
from Ap Rice, etc. Brys, Welsh , agility , quickness ; Bresse,
local,a small territory in Burgundy, France.
BRENDON . (Cor. Br.) Local. The crow 's hill; from Bren ,
a crow, and dun or don,a hill.
BRENIGAN. (Cor. Br.) À limpet. .
BRENIN . (Cor. Br.) From Brenhin , a tributary prince ; a
king. Brenin , Welsh, a chief.
BRENTWOOD. Local. A town in Essex, England, and sig
nifies burnt-wood ; brent signifying burnt, from the Anglo
Saxon brennan, to burn.
BREWER, BREWISTER, BREWSTER . A brewer of malt
liquor.
 OF FAMILY NAMES.

BRET and BRETT. Probably contracted from Breton , a

Briton ; brette, French, a long sword ; brat and bretyn, in
the Welsh, signify an urchin.
BRETON. (British.) A native of Britain ; Bretton, a town
in Flintshire, Wales.
BREUILLY. (Fr.) Local. 'A coppice.
BRIAN or BRION . (Gaelic.) The nobly descended, from Bri,
dignity , honor, and an, diminutive of that to which it is an
nexed, belonging to it; Gaelic, gin or gen , begotten. Bri,
Welsh , honor; briadd, honorary . Bailey derives Brian
from Bruiant, French, clamorous. Brian, in the Gaelic,
· also implies one who is fair-spoken , wordy, specious.
BRIANT or BRYANT. (Gaelic.) Dignity , honor ; from
Bri, exalted , and ant, a termination, implying the being or
state of that to which it is annexed ; equivalent to theGreek
av, and the Latin ens.
BRIENNE. Local. A town of France, either so called from
Brians or nobles.

the Netherlands.
BRIARE. Local. From Briare, a town in the province of
Orleans, France.
BRIERLY. Local. The briar-lee ; French , bruyere, shrubs
growing on commons and heaths.
BRICE. (Welsh.) A contraction of Ap Rice, the son of Rice,
which is the same as Rhys or Rhees (see Rhees). Brys,
Welsh , haste, quick , lively.
BRICK . A corruption of Breck (which see). We cut the fol
lowing, on this name, from a newspaper :
A certain college-professor,who had assembled his class at the
commencement of the term , was reading over the list of
names to see tha' all were present. It chanced that one of
 80 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
the number was- unknown to the professor, having just
entered the class.
“ What is your name, sir ?" asked the professor, looking through
his spectacles.
“ You are a brick ,” was the startling reply .
“ Sir," said the professor, half starting out of his chair at the
supposed impertinence, but not quite sure that he under
stood him correctly, “ sir, I did not exactly understand your
answer."
*“ You are a brick," was again the composed reply.
This is intolerable,” said the professor, his face reddening ;
“ beware, young man , how you attempt to insult me."
“ Insult you !" said the student, in turn astonished. “ How have
I done it ?"
“ Did you not say I was a brick ?" returned the professor,with
stifled indignation.
“ No, sir ; you asked me my name, and I answered your ques
tion . My name is U . R . A . Brick - Uriah Reynolds Ander
son Brick." .
“ Ah, indeed,"murmured the professor, sinking back into his seat
in confusion — " it was a misconception on my part. Will
you commence the lesson, Mr. Brick ?”
BRIDGE and BRIDGES. Local. Any structure of wood,
stone, or other materials, raised over rivers for the passage .
of men and other animals.. .
BRIDGMAN. One who attends a bridge ; a builder of
bridges.
BRIDE . (Gaelic.) From Brighid, a hostage, pledge, or secu
rity. The son of Bridget. ' Cormac, Archbishop of Cashel,
in his glossary, defines Brighid “ fiery dart,” and that it was
*the name of the Muse who was believed to preside over
poetry, in pagan times, in Ireland. Breochuidh, a term
given to those virgins who kept the perpetual fire of Beil or
· Belus among the Druids and ancient Celts.
* BRIGGS. From the ·Anglo-Saxon brigg, a bridge ; brig,
Welsh, height, the top of any thing.
 OF FAMILY NAMES.
BRIGHTON . Local. A town on the coast of Sussex, Eng
land, anciently called Brightelmstone, from Brithelm , i. e.,
bright helmet,who was bishop of Bath and Wells, about the
year 955. The bright town. .
BRIMMER . From the Anglo-Saxon Bremman , Breme, or
Brim , to extend, to amplify to the utmost limits ; to be vio
lent, furious, to rage; a violent, bold , furious man ; “ Fough
ten breme,” that is, “ He fought furiously.” Bremmer, a
native of Bremen ,Germany.
BRINKERHOFF. (Dutch.) Brengerhof, messenger of the
court, or head messenger or carrier ; from Brenger, a mes
senger, and hof, a court, or hoofd, head, chief, a leader.
BRISBAN or BRISBIN . This name is local, and may signify
the Mount or Hill of Judgment, a place where courts were
held and law administered, among the Celts and Britons,
from the Cornish -British brez or brys, a judgment, a trial at
law , and ban, a hill, a mount. In Gaelic, Breasban signifies
the royal mount; Briosgabhain, the rapid river ; Brisbeinn ,
the broken hill or cliff.
BRISTED. (Sax.) Local. From brihs, bright, pleasant, and
stead, a place— a bright,pleasantplace.
Mro .

BRISTOL. (Gaelic and Welsh .) Local. A city in England.

The name signifies “ The broken chasm ;":from bris,Gaelic,
corresponds to the ancient name of Bristol, which was Caer
Oder, i. e., “ the City of the Gap” or chasm , through which
the Avon finds a passage to the sea .
BRISTOW . (Sax.) Local. From brihs, pleasant,bright, and .
. stow , the same as stead, a place .
BRITTE. A word used in Dutch poetry for a Brittainer.
BRITTON , BRITTEN , and BRITTAN . A native of Britain ,
the ancient name of England. Several derivations have
been given to Britain , such as Brydon or Prydyn , Welsh ,
the fair tribe, or brave men .· Bridaoine, Gaelic, from Bri,
dignity, and daoire,men. Pryddain, the fair and beautiful
82 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

isle. Brait or Briand, extensive, and in , land. Brit-tante,

the land of tin .
BROCK . From the Saxon Broc, a badger. Broch, in Gaelic
or Irish, Cor. Br. and Welsh , has the samemeaning.
BROCKLESBY . Local. Derived from Brockles,a small town
of that name in England, and by,near to ; a village. Dutch,
Brock, a marsh ; also , broken land .
In a party in which the celebrated Porson was a guest, there
was also a physician by this name, Dr. Brocklesby, a de
scendant of the eminent man who attended Dr. Johnson in
his last illness. In addressing Dr. Brocklesby, Porson called
him Dr. Rock = “ Yes, Dr. Rock no, Dr. Rock ,” etc. — &
name rendered almost infamous by Hogarth , in his picture
of the " March of the Guards.” At length , Dr. Brocklesby
became offended , and said, “ Mr. Porson,my name is not
Rock, it is Brocklesby," pronouncing the syllables distinctly,
Brock -les-by. “ Well,” said Porson , " if Brock-les-b is not
Rock, then I know nothing of Algebra .
BRODIE. (Gaelic.) Local. From the lands of Brodie, Co.
Moray , Scotland. Thename signifies a little ridge; a brow ;
a precipice. Brody, a town ofGallicia.
BRODT. Local. So named from a town in Sclavonia, settled
by an ancient people who came from Scythia .
BROME or BROOME. The Earls of Anjou first took the sur
name of Brome or Broome after their pilgrimage to the
Holy Land. Fulke, Earl of Anjou, having worn a sprig of
the broom -plant as the symbol of humility.
BROMFIELD or BROOMFIELD. Local. The field abound
ing in broom .
BROMLEY. Local. From Bromley, a small town in England,
so called from brome or broom , and ley, a field or common.
BROOME. The same as Brome, above. .
BRONSON, BRUNSON. A contraction of Brownson, the
son of Brown. Briaunson , local, a place in France . This
name came into England with William the Conqueror.
 OF FAMILY NAMES.
ROOKS. Local. Brooks, Becks, and Rundels are names for
small rivers.
3ROSTER . (Cor. Br.) Greatness , majesty .
BROTHERSON . The same as nephew .
BROUGHAM . Local. Originally Burgham . The village on
a hill; a borough town. The name of a place in England.
BROUGHTON . Local. A town on the hill; a village in
Flintshire, England.
BROWER. (Dutch.) From Brouwer, a brewer.
BROWN. A name derived from complexion , color of hair or
garments, consequently, a very common name.
BROWNSON . The son of Brown.
BRUCE. (Nor. Fr.) Local. De Bruys ; from Bruy or
Bruys,'a place in Normandy where the family originated.
De Bruys was one of the followers of William the, Con
queror, and fought at the battle of Hastings. From this
ancestor, King Robert Bruce was descended .
RUNNER. Local. From a town ofthatnamein Switzerland .
RUX. Local. “ A town in England.
RUYERE. (Fr.) Local. A common or heath covered with
shrubs.
BRYAN . The same as Brian or Brien (which see).
BRYN . (Welsh.) A mountain ; a mountaineer.
BRYCE . (Welsh .) A contraction of Ap Rhys, the son of
Rhys or Rhees. (See Rhees.)
BRYNE. Local. A river in Donegal, Ireland; in Welsh, a
hill. Bryne, Saxon , a burning .
BUCHAN . Local. A district of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The derivation of the name is uncertain . It may be from
the Gaelic boc, bocan, deer ; a place abounding in deer.
BUCHANAN . Local. A parish in the shire of Sterling, Scot
land. The derivation of the name is uncertain. It is prob
ably from the same root as Buchan.
 84 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
BUCHER. (Fr.) Pronounced Booshay. A wood -house ; pile
of wood ; pyre ; funeral-pile .
BUCK . Such names as Lyon, Bull, Buck , etc., may have been
borrowed from armorialbearings, the shields and banners of
war, or for a resemblance to those animals noted for cour
age, agility, or swiftness, or from signs and emblems over
shops and inns.
BUCKBEE. Local. The town or village among the beech
trees, from boc,a beech-tree, and by, a village.
80.
. . BUCKHOUT. (Dutch.) Local. The beech-wood ; from
beuk, a beech, and houdt,& wood.
BUCKINGHAM . (Sax.) Local. A shire and town in Eng
land, and so called either from Bucen , beechen, and ham , a
village, from the abundance of beech -trees growing there, or
from the Saxon bucca, deer- the deer-village. .
BUCKLIN . (Gaelic.) Local. From Bucklyn , a town in
Sterlingshire, Scotland. The name may be derived from
Boc, plural, Buic, a roe-buck, deer, and linne, a pool or lake.
BUCKMASTER . A name probably given to one who had
the care of herds of venison.
BUCKMINSTER . (Sax.) From bucen, beechen, or bugan, to
bend, a bow , a corner, round ; and minster, a church, a mon
astery.
BUCKSTON or BUXTON. (Sax .) Local. From boc, a
beech -tree, and ton, a town — beech -town.
BUDD. (Welsh .) * Thrift, gain, riches, victory ; bod, a dwell
ing. Bud, in the Danish , signifies a messenger, courier, a
sergeant.
BUDDINGTON . Local. The flourishing town, or Bodding
ton , the dwelling town. Buttington , a place on the Severn ,
England, which may indicate the town on the limit, bound
ary, or extremity.
BUEL. (Welsh.) A herd of cattle; an ox. Bueil, local, a .
place in France .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 85
BULKELEY or BUCKLEY. Local. Derived from the manor
of Bulkeley , in the County Palatine of Chester, England. A
corruption of Bullock-ley , the bullock -field or pasture.
BULL. A well-known animal, powerful, fierce, and violent.
The name may have originated from the sign of a shop or
inn, as “ John at the Bull.” Bul, in Saxon, is a brooch , a
stud, a bracelet.
BULLARD. Having the disposition of a bull.
BULLER. (Danish.) Boler, a gallant; an amorist.
BULLOCK . A full-grown ox. All the families of Bulls, Bul
lards, and Bullocks are noted for being firm and inflexible in
their way.
BULLIONS. Probably local, from Bolleyne, a town in France, .
whence the family of Anne Boleyne took their name; or
from the city of Boulogne, which was so called from Beul,
Gaelic, the mouth, and Liane, the river, or the mouth of
Liane,” it being situated at the mouth of that river.
BUN. (Gaelic.) A foundation ; Bunn, a hill.
BUNNELL. Local. A corruption of Bonhill,a parish in the
county of Dumbarton, Scotland.
BUNTING. A kind of bird. .
BUNYAN . (Welsh, Celtic, and Gaelic.) From Bunan, a
squat, short person.
BURR. (Saxon.) Burh , a wall, a fortress, a castle; a hill, a
heap , the same as burgh gh ..
BURBECK . Local. The beak or point of the hill ; from
Burh , a hill, and bek , Dutch , a point, a beak ; or from Burh,
a hill, castle, fort,or dwelling, and beck , a brook. . .
Bur, a hill, and by, a house or village.
BURD. Local. A river in France.
 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
BURDEN . Lower says this name is probably a corruption of
bourdon , a pilgrim 's staff, — a very appropriate sign for a
wayside hostelry.
It may be local, derived from Bour, a house (from the Saxon
bure, a bed -chamber), and den , a valley — the house in the
valley. -
BURDER . A bird -catcher or fowler.
BURDETT. A little bird , ett signifying young, small, tender.
BURG . In all the Teutonic languages signifies a hill, a fortifi
cation, tower, castle, house, city , and nearly so in the
Armoric and Welsh .
BURGESS. An inhabitant of a borough ; a freeman, citizen ;
a representative of a borough in parliament.
BURGOS. Local. A city of Spain, in Old Castile, situated
beside a hill, on the river Arlanzon .
BURGOYNE. Local. From Bourgogne, now Burgundy, an
old province of France . A name given to a native of that
province.
BURKE. A corruption of (De) Burgo, as the name was for
merly written, that is, from the fort, castle , hill, or city.
This family went from Normandy into England with the
Conqueror, and afterward into Ireland with Strongbow .
BURLASE. (Cor. Br.). Local. The green summit or top.
BURLEIGH. Local. Burh, Saxon, is the same as burg, a
city, castle, house, or tower ; in composition , it signifies de
fense ; leigh, a low place, opposed to a place higher, the
same as-ley, a meadow , a pasture. Burly, swelled , bulky,
boisterous.
BÚRNHAM . Local. Derived from Burnham , a town in Nor
folk , also in Essex, England ; in the old English , Bourn or
Burn , signifies a river, and ham , a village or town — the vil
lage' by the river. Bourn, burn, and bern, in the Cornish
British , is a hill, a heap ; and Burnham , the house or towa
on the rising ground.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 87 .
BURNS. Local. A burn , in Scotland, is a small stream , the
same as Bourne. Biorn , in the Danish and Swedish, signi
fies a bear, figuratively, a ferocious, valiant man.
BURNSIDE. Local. Beside the brook or burn .
BURRARD. Local. A high hill or top. Boorard, resembling
a countryman ; Boer, Dutch, a rustic, a farmer, and ardy
nature, mode, kind.
BURRELL . Borel is used by Chaucer in the sense of lay, as
borel-clerks — lay-clerks. It may be a corruption of Borrail
(which see). , '
BURT. (Gaelic.) Burt, quizzing, joking ; also, in English, a
kind of fish. Buurt, Dutch , a hamlet, consisting only of a
few houses; a neighborhood.
BURTIS. (Welsh.) Bwrdais,a burgess,
BURTON. Local. A town in Leicestershire, England. The
name signifies either the town on the hill, or,as Bailey says,
the Bur-town, from the abundance of burs growing there
abouts. There are several places by this name in England.
BUSHNELL. (Dutch.) Bossen -hall, a faggot or wood -mar
ket, or a hall or mansion in the wood.
BUSHWELL. Local. Bushwild . From bush and well,wild ,
, wold , a wood, a lawn, or plain ; an uncultivated bushy
place ; Bushfeldt,the bushy field .
BUSK . (Swed.) From Busche,a wood, a thicket.
BUSKIRK. (Dutch.) Local. From Bos, a wood, and kerk,
a church — the church in the wood.
BUSSEY. (Fr.) Local. From the town of Bussey, in the
province of Burgundy, France .
BUTLER. This family derive their origin from the old Counts
of Briony or Biony, in Normandy, a descendant of whom ,
Herveius Fitz Walter, accompanied the Conqueror into
England. His son, Theobold, went with Henry II. into
Ireland, where, having greatly assisted in the reduction of
 88 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
the kingdom , he was rewarded with large possessions there,
and made it the place of his residence. The king afterward
conferred on him the office of chief Butler of Ireland, whence
his descendants, the Earls of Ormond and others, took the
surname of De Botèler or Butler.
BUTMAN . Local. Perhaps the man who lives at the butt or
boundary ; a marksman . Botman, one who gives a blunt
answer.
BUTTS . Butts were marks for archery . In most parishes
places were set apart for this necessary sport which were
residing near such a spot, as “ John at the Butts.” But
signifies a promontory, as the Butt of Lewis, an isle of
Scotland. Danish, But,blunt, rough.
BUXTON. Local. From the Saxon boc, a beech , German ,
buche, and ton — the beech-town. A village in Derbyshire,
England.
BYFIELD. The village in the field , from By, Danish, a town,
· — or the place by or near the field .
BYGBY . (Danish.) Barley-town; from byg, Danish, barley.
BYINGTON . (Saxon .) From Bying, a habitation, and ton , a . . .
hill or inclosure.

of Biron, in the province ofGuienne, France.

CAD. (Gaelic and Welsh.) War, a battle-field.
CADE . An old word for a barrel or cask ; probably taken
from a sign at an ale-house or tavern = " John at the Cade.”
Shakspeare uses Cade in this sense :
“ Cade.- We, John Cade, so termed of our supposed father.
Dick . -- Or rather of stealing a cade of herrings !"
HEN. VI., Act IV ., Sc. II.
CADOGAN . (Welsh.) Terrible in battle ; from cad, battle,
and gwg, fierce. .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 89
CADELL. (Welsh.) Warlike. Gaelic, Cathell.
CADER. (Welsh.) A keep, fortress, or strong-hold .
CADWALLADER. (Welsh.) Derived from cad, battle, and
gwaladr, a leader, a lord — the leader or lord of the battle.
Gwaladr would seem to comefrom gwal,a wall or defense,
and adre, signifying athome or abroad, everywhere.
CADWELL. Local. A village in South Wales ; written
Cydwell.
CADY. Ca-dia, in Gaelic, the house ofGod. There is a com
monalty of Switzerland called Gotthespunt, or Casdee, i. e.,
the house of God. Cadie,in the Scottish , is an errand-boy,
a messenger.
JAETH. (Welsh.) A captive.
JAIN . (Welsh and Gaelic.) Chaste,beloved, fair,beautiful.
CAIRN. (Cor. Br.) Local. A circularmound of stones.
CALDER . Local. A river in Yorkshire, England. Calduor,
Gaelic and Welsh , the water that incloses or shuts in .
CALDERWOOD . Local. The wood on the river Calder.
CALDICOTT, COLDICOT, and CALDECOTE . Local.
(Welsh .) Col-dow -cwtt, Colcoit, the neck of the wood.
O 'Connor derives Caldecott from Cald -i-scot, the inclosure
of the Scot; a locality hemmed in by Glamorgan, the Wye,
and high lands on the north . A village in Hertfordshire,
England .
CALDWELL. Local. Col-wold , the wood of hazels ; or it
may be Cold -well, a cold spring.
CALÆOUN . ' A corruption of Colquhoun (which see).
CALL. (Welsh.) Prudent, discerning, cunning, trickish
Caill and Cuil,Gaelic, are the same.
CALLAGHAN . (Gaelic or Celtic.) From Ciallach , prudent,
judicious, discreet. . .
 90 : ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
CAMERON . (Gaelic.) From Cam , crooked, and sron , nose ,
crooked or hooked-nose,
CAMPBELL. (Celtic and Gaelic.) Wry-mouth, the man
whose mouth inclined a little on one. side ; from cam ,
crooked, distorted, and beul, the mouth. This ancient
family may be traced as far back as the beginning of the
fifth century, and is said to have been possessed of Lochore,
in Argyleshire, as early as the time of Fergus II. Sir Colin
Campbell, of Lochore, flourished toward the end of the
thirteenth century, and was called Sir Colin More, or Colin
the Great. " His descendants were called by the Irish
McCallen, that is, the descendants of Colin .
CAM . (Gaelic and Welsh.) Crooked, winding; injury, deceit,
- injustice.
CAMUS. (Gaelic.) A bay, a creek , a harbor. Camoys, one
whose nose is turned upwards.
CAN or CAIN . (Gaelic.) Clear,white, fair, and hence, be
loved , dear; can, a lake, a whelp.
CANN. (Gaelic.) Ceann and Kin ; Welsh, Ken or Cen , the
head; projection .
CANNING . (Saxon .) Cyning, a leader, a king. Germ .,
König ; Dutch, Koning i Dan., Konge ; Swedish , Konung ;
Welsh, cun ; Irish , cean, which is the same as the Gaelic
Ceann, and the oriental Khan or Kaun,all signifying head,
a leader. Saxon Connan and Cunnan, to see, to know ;
hence Cunning, or Canning, Kenning .
CANON . (Welsh.) The river Tafis called in the interior the
Canon , or the singing river. A rule, a law ; a dignitary of
the church .
CAPEL. An old word signifying a strong horse.
“ And gave him caples to his carte." CHAUCER

Capel, Danish,an oratory, a chape!

 OF FAMILY NAMES. 91

CARACTACUS.: (Gaelic.) From Caer, a castle or city ;

eacht, an exploit, and cios, a tribute, expressive of his abil
ities in conducting an offensive, as well as a defensive war ;
or, as O 'Connor derives it, from Cathreacteac-eis, the leader
of the host in battle.
CARD. A word used in some parts of Scotland to denote a .
traveling tinker. Ceairde, Gaelic, a tradesman.
CARDEN. Local. Assumed from themanor of Cawarden or
Carden, near Chester, in England.
CAREW . (Welsh.) Derived from the castle of Carrw , in
Wales. The castle by the water, from Caer, castle or fort,
and ew , water.
CAREY or CARY. Local. From the manor of Cary or Kari,
as spelled in the Doomsday Book , in the parish of St. Giles,
near Launceston, England. Cary, in the British, signifies
beloved , dear. This namemay be the same as Carew .
CARMICHAEL . Local. Assumed from the lands and barony
of Carmichael, in the shire of Lanark . The castle or strong
hold of Michael, from caer, a castle or fortified place.
CARNE and CARNES. (Welsh .) Local. A rock , a heap
of stones. This family claim descent from Ithel, King of
Ghent, now Monmouthshire. Thomas o'r Gare, youngest
son of Ithel, King of Ghent, was brought up at one of his
father's seats called Pencarne (from pen, the head, and carne,
a rock, a heap of stones), whence he was named Carne,
which continues the surname of the family ..
CARNIGAN . In the Gaelic, Carneach signifies a Druid or
priest, and Carnahan, rocky or stony ground.-
CARR . This name has several significations; Caer, Cornish
British, a city, town, a fort, a castle ; Carre, French, a stout,
broad-shouldered man ; Cawr, Welsh , a giant.
CARTER . A name of trade, onewho drives a cart. Cairtear,
Gaelic, a tourist, a sojourner.
92 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
CARSON or CORSON. The son of Car; Curson , the stock
of a vine.
CARTERET or CARTRET. (Gaelic and Welsh.) Local. The
place or town of the castle.
CARWIN . (Cor. Br.) Local. The white castle; from caer,
a castle, and win or gwin , white.
CARY. The same as "Carey (which see).
CASE. (French.) Case. A hut, a hovel; Gaelic, cass, caise,
steep ; quick, hasty, passionate.
CASS. (Gaelic.) Cas, a verb , to turn against, to thwart,
oppose; a difficulty , a trying situation, a cause. Cas, a
castle, the primary sense is to separate, drive off, or hate ;
the radical sense ofhatred is driving off.
CASSIDY . (Gaelic.) From casaideach , apt to complain or
accuse. Casadow , in the Cor. Br., signifies an offender.
CATHCART. (Gaelic ) Local. From the parish of Cathcart,
in Lanark and Renfrew , Scotland. The river Cart runs
through it, whence the name is derived. Caeth - Cart, from
caeth , a strait, the river here running in a narrow channel.
CATHERWOOD. (Gaelic.) Local. A fenny-wood, wet
ground, from Cathar, soft, boggy ground ; or the fortified
place in a wood, from Cathair, Gaelic, a town, a fortified
city, a guard , a sentinel.
CAVAN. (Welsh and Gaelic.) Local. The ridge of a hill.
CAW . Local. Gaelic, Ca, a house, a place fortified, inclosed,
surrounded . Caw , Welsh , whatever defends or keeps
together ; Cawr, an old English word for a king. Caw or
Cu, an ancient king of North Britain whose capital was
Dumbarton.
CAXTON. Local. Derived from Caxton, a small town in .
England.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 98
CAY. Kea, in the Cornish - British and Welsh , is an inclosure ;
that which fastens or secures; a landing for vessels ; French ,
quai ; Dutch, kaai ; Gaelic, ceithe.
CAYLY. Local. From Calais, a sea -port of France; Cala,
Gaelic, a Harbor, port, haven ,bay, a road for ships.
CHADWICK. Local. The cottage by the harbor, or sheltered
place ; from the Saxon Cyte and wick ; Cyte signifies a cot
tage, and wick, a harbor, a sheltered place. It may be so
called from the shad fisheries.
CHAFFEE . (Fr.) Chafe, to heat, to grow warm or angry ;
Fr., chauffer, to warm , to cannonade, attack briskly.
CHALK . A well-known earth ; a locality . Chalk, Saxon, a
servant or attendant.
· CHALLIS. A cup or bowl; taken perhaps from the sign of a
house or shop.
CHALLONER. Local. Derived from a town in France of the
same name. This family derive their origin from Macloy
Crum , of the line of chiefs in Wales, who resided several
years in Challoner.
CHALMERS or CHAMBERS. One of the clan Cameron of
Scotland, going to France, put his name in a Latin dress, as
was customary in those times, styling himself De Cameraria ,
which was called in French , De la Chambre, and upon his
return to Scotland, he was again, according to their dialect,
called Chambers. Chalmers is a corruption of the same.
CHAMPE . (Fr.) Local. From champ, a field.
CHAMPION . A soldier, one that fought in public combat in
his own or another man's quarrel.
CHAMPLIN or CHAMPLAIN . The same as champaign, a
flat, open country ; from Champ, an open , level field or
plain , and lean, a meadow ; laine, Gaelic, full ; leathamn,
wide ; Cor. Br., laun ; Welsh, llann , full, wide.
CHAMPNEY. (Fr.) Local. From Champ, a field , and ey ,
water — the wet country or country near the water.
94 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
CHANDLER . A name of trade ; a maker and seller of various
wares,originally of candles.
CHANNING . (Saxon.) Cyning, knowing, wise; Dutch,
Koning,whence king ; the samederivation as Canning.
CHAPEL. Local. A private oratory ; a place of public wor
ship .
CHAPIN . A corruption of Chapman ; a trader,a shopman.
CHAPMAN . The same as Chipman , a 'trader, a shopman ;
from the Saxon ceapan or cypan, to buy or sell. Sax ., ceap,
a bargain ,a price ; one who cheapens, aşks the price, buys.
CHARLES. (Ger.) From carl, strong, stout, courageous, and
valiant. The Hungarians called a king by the general name
Carl, and Scaliger makes Carl-man the same as the Greek
ůvopéas.
CHARNOCK . (Nor. Fr.) Local. Derived from the town of
Chernoc, in Normandy.
CHATHAM or CHETHAM . Local. From a town in Kent,
England, on the Medway, so named from the Saxon cyte, a
cottage, and ham , a village, signifying the village of cottages.
A paragraph to the following effect went the round of the
papers not many years since :
Two attorneys in partnership had the name of the firm ,
“ Catcham and Chetum ,” inscribed, in the usual manner,
upon their office -door; but as the singularity and ominous
juxta-position of the words led to many a coarse joke from
passers-by, the men of law attempted to destroy, in part,
the effect of the odd association, by the insertion of the
Isaiah and Uriah ; but this made the affair ten times worse,
for the inscription then ran :
" I. Catcham and U . Chetum !” .
CHATSEY or CHADSEY. Local. From the Saxon cyte, a
cottage, and sey , near the water.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 95
SHATSWORTH . Local. Derived from a village of that name
in Derbyshire, England, and signifying the cottage-farm ;
from cyte, a cottage, as above, and worth , a place or estate.
CHATTERTON . Local. Chadderton, Saxon , cete-doir-ton,
the cottage-town in the wood ; from cete or cyte, a cottage,
hut, cabin ; doir, a wood, and ton, a town.
CHEDSEY. Local. From Chertsey, a town in Surrey, Eng
land , near the Thames, pronounced by the natives, Chedsey ,
meaning “ Cerot's Island.”
CHEESEMAN . A dealer in cheese.
CHEEVER. (Fr.) Chevir signifies to master or overcome;
and Chevre is a goat.
CHENEY. (Fr.) Local. From Chene, an oak ; Chenaie, a
grove; a plantation of oaks. :
CHESEBROUGH. Local. The cheese-borough or town.
Chessbro, the hill or town on the river Chess.
CHESTER . Local. From the city of Chester,the capital of
Cheshire, England, founded by the Romans. The name is
derived from the Latin Castrum ; Saxon , ceaster, a fortified
place, a city , a castle or camp, it being a Roman station
where the twentieth legion was quartered. The Roman
stations in England were generally so called, being sometimes
varied in dialect to Chester, Chaster , or Caster, the termina
tion of many English towns, as Colchester, the camp on the
river Coln ; Doncaster, on the Don ; Lancaster, on the Lon
or Lune, etc.
CHICHESTER. Local. From the city of Chichester, Sussex,
England, whose Saxon namewas Cissanceaster ; from Cissa ,
the son of Aella , who settled the kingdom of the South
Saxons; and ceaster or chester, a city , from castrum , a Roman
station ,
CHICKERING. (Cor. Br.) Local. The stone house , a house
on a rock , a fortress ; from chi,a house, and cairne,a rock
or stones.
 96 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

CHILDS. Child, Page and Varletwere names given to youths

from seven to fourteen years of age, while receiving their
education for knighthood.
CHILTON. Local. From a town of the same name in Wilt
shire, England, signifying the chalk -hills; from the Saxon
cylt, clay or chalk .
CHIPMAN. A trader. (See Chapman.)
CHITTENDEN. (Cor. Br. and Welsh.) The lower house on
the rising or fortified ground ; from Chy-tane-din - Chy, a
house, tane, lower, and din or dun, a hill.
CHOLMONDELEY. (Norman.) Local. The place at the
gorge or neck of the mountain ; from Col, a strait or defile,
and mond or mont, a hill. This name is pronounced Chum
ley. An English gentleman meeting the Earl of Cholmon
deley one day coming out of his own house, and not being
acquainted with him , asked him if Lord Chol-mond-e-ley
(pronouncing each syllable distinctly) was at home. " No,"
replied the peer, withouthesitation, “ nor any of his pe-o
ple.”
CHUBB. · From the Saxon cob , a great-headed , full-cheeked
fellow . The fish called chubb was so named from its having
a large head.
CHURCH . Local. A house of Christian worship, derived .
from the old English chirch, and Scottish Kirk, Latin circus,
and this from the Gaelic cearcal,a-temple, a round building.
The root of. Church is from the Gaelic car, roundness, from
which we have cirke or kirke.
CILLY. Local. A town in Germany.
· CLÁGET. (Ger.) From klugheit, good sense, wisdom , pru
dence, dexterity. The Danish klegt signifies the same.
British clep, prating.
CLARE. (Fr.) Clair, from the Latin Clarus, pure, re
nowned, illustriong. .
 OF FAMILY NAMES.

CLARK. Clerk, a clergyman, a scholar, one who can read and

write .

CLAUSON. Local. A town of Germany, near Pozen ; de

rived from klause, a mountain defile.
CLAVERING. Local. First assumed by the proprietors of
the barony of Clavering, in Essex, England, near the spring
head of the river Tort. Derived from the Anglo -Saxon
clæfer, or Belgic klaver, both denoting clover ; and ing, a
meadow , a pasture — the clover-fields.
OLAY. Local. A town of France in Seine. A lake on the
isle of Lewis, Scotland. Clee, hills in Wales. Cle, left
handed, a place lying to the left, in relation to another place.
Cledh, cloid , and cladd, in the Gaelic, Welsh, and British ,
signify a ditch, a trench , a wall; cladh, a church-yard ; :
cledd, Welsh , a'sword ; Gaelic, claiheamb, from which we
have Claymore, a large sword . The sameword in Welsh
and Gaelic that signifies a river is often applied to a sword,
from their resemblance in glittering brightness.
CLAYTON . Local. The clay-hill
CLEARY or CLERY. From the Gaelic Cleireach ,a. clerk , a
clergyman , a writer. A noted family of historians whose
estates were in the county of Donnegal, Ireland.
CLEA VER . English, one who cleaves; a dweller on a cleave
or cliff.
CLEMENT. From the Latin Clemens, mild,meek, gentle.
CLEVELAND. Local. Derived from a place by that name
in Yorkshire, England ; a corruption of Cliff-lane, and so
called from its being steep and almost impassable with cliffs
and rocks.
CLIFF. Local. A steep bank, a precipice ; a town in North
• amptonshire, England.
CLIFFORD. Local. The ford or way by the cliff.
 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
CLIFTON. Local. A small village in England ; the town on
the cliff.
CLING . (Danish.) Klinge, a blade,a sword .
CLINGMAN. (Danish.) A swordsman, fencer, fighter.
CLINTON . (Dano-Norman .) Local. Klint, a promontory,
brow of a hill, "cape ; and ton, a town. Colonel Charles
Clinton, the progenitor of the distinguished family of Clin
ton, and his associate emigrants from Ireland, settled, in 1722,
in “ Little Britain ,” Orange County , New York .
CLOSSON. (Dutch.) The son of Klaas, the abbreviation of
Nicholas among the Dutch . Klaas-son , the son of Nicholas.
. . So Santa Klaas for St. Nicholas.
CLOUGH. (Anglo -Saxon.) Local. A small valley between
hills, a breach ; from the past of the Anglo -Saxon participle
cleofian, to cleave, divide.
CLOWES. (Anglo -Saxon .) Local. A cliff or cleft in a hill ;
from Clough, as above.
CLUM . Local. A place in Germany, the ancient residence of
the Knight of Clum , the friend of John Huss.
CLUTE . Kluit, Dutch, a lamp; “ hij heeft kluiten ,” he has got
the chink, he is rich.
COATES. Local. The side, the shore, coast,border. .
COBERN. Local. A town in Germany ; the high or united
• hill.
COBB. Local. A harbor ; as the Cobb of Lyme-Regis,
County Dorset, England.
COCHRAN . Local. Cocrinn, Gaelic, a point or promontory
· in open sight; from Coc,manifest, plain, and rinn, à cape or
promontory .
COOKBURN. Local. The brook by the hillock ; from cock, a
hillock, and burn, a brook.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 99
COE. The primitive word Co is an elevation, exalted. Koh , in
the Coptic, is a rock ; koh , Persic, a hill ; Coey , Gaelic, a
hero, literally , a dog. Lower says that Coe is a Norfolk
provincialism to designate " an odd old fellow .”
COOEY. Gaelic, Cu-maighe, figuratively, the hero or swift
warrior; literally, the “ dog of the plain .”
COEYMAN . (Dutch.) The cow -man ; from koey, a cow .
Kooiman,a man who decoys ducks.
COFFIN . Local. Cyffin , in Welsh , signifies a boundary, a
limit, a hill; cefyn , the ridge of a hill. This name has its
origin from Co, high, exalted, and fin , a head, extremity ,
boundary. This family settled early in this country, on the
sland of Nantucket, near Cape Cod, where the name is
very common. The following humorous lines, descriptive of
· the characteristics of the different families residing on that
• island, were written by one Daniel Allen , a native of the
island, more than a hundred years ago :
“ The hasty COFFIN , fractious, loud,
The silent Gardiner, plotting,
The Mitchells good, the Barkers proud,
The Macys eat the pudding ;.
The Rays and Russels coopers are,
Theknowing Folger lazy,
A learned Coleman very rare,
And scarce an honest Hussey."
COGGESHALL or COGSWELL. Local. Derived from the
town of Coggeshall, in Essex, England ; Cog, a small boat,
and shoal, a place where the water is shallow , and where
fish abound, a fishing-place.
COHEN . (Heb.) A bishop or priesto
COIT. Local A wood .
COLBERN. Colorin , Welsh, the hazel-hill; from Coll (plural).
hazel, and bryn, a hill.
 100 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
COLBURN . (Cor. Br.) The dry well, or the well on the
neck of the hill.
COLBY. "Local. Kolbye, a town in Denmark ; Col, with or
near, the “ by” or town.
COLE . An abbreviation of Nicholas, common among the
Dutch.
COLEMAN and COLMAN . A dealer or workman in coals.
· Gaelic, Colman , a dove.
COLLAMORE. Local. From Coulommier, a town in France.
This family originally came into England with William the
Conqueror. Colmar, Gaelic, a brave man ; Collmor, the
great wood.
COLLEY. Local. Colletle, in Welsh , denotes the place of
hazel; Cil-lle, the place on the back or neck of the hill ;
from cil or col, the back or neck. Coille, Gaelic, a wood.
COLLIER. A name of occupation , a dealer or workman in
coals.
COLLINE. (Fr.) Local. A hill thatrises by degrees.
COLLINS. (Gaelic.) From Cuilein, darling, a term of en
dearment applied to young animals, as Catulus, in Latin . :
In the Welsh, Collen signifies hazel — a hazel-grove. "
COLQUITE or COLQUOIT. Local. From col, the neck , and
coit, a wood. Col, in the Cor. Br., signifies the neck of a
hill, a promontory .
COLQUHOUN and CALHOUN. According to tradition , the
progenitor of this family was a younger son of Conach ,
King of Ireland, who came to Scotland in the reign of
Gregory the Great, and obtained lands in Dumbartonshire,
to which he gave the name of Conachon, corrupted into
Colquhoun, I am inclined to think the name is from the
Gaelic, denoting one who is brave, lively, quick ,and furious
in battle ; from Colg, and chuoin, the genitive of Cu, a
hound, a war-dog. . .
COLSON. The son of Col or Cole (which see).
 F FAMILY NAMES .

COLT. A name given to one of a sportive disposition, or may

be taken from the sign of an inn. “ Will at the Colt.”
COLTON. Local. The town at the neck of the hill,from Coly
the neck of a hill, and ton , a town. Caltuinn, Gaelic,
hazel.
COLVER . From the Dutch kolver, one who plays at kolf, a
· favorite game in Holland.
COLVILLE . (French .) Local. From Col, a neck, strait, or
defile ; a pass between hills ; and ville, a town, the place in
the gorge or pass of thedell.
COLVEN and COLVIN . Local. From Colvend, a town in
Kircudbrightshire, Scotland, the ancient name of which was
Culwen , derived from Joannes De Culwen.
COLWELL or COLVILLE . The village on the neck of the
hill, or near the hazel-wood ; Col, Gaelic, hazel; and vitle, a
village, changed into well. Coldwell denotes the quality of
the water, a cold spring ; Colwold , the hazel-wild, or bushy
place of hazels.
COLY. Local. A little river in Devonshire, England.
COMEYN , or DE COMINGES, as it was anciently written ;
from Cominges, a town in France, anciently called Irig
dunum Convenarum , situated on a hill near the banks of the
river Garonne, so named because people of diverse countries
assembled together to dwell in that place. Comeyne or
De Cominges went into England with William the Con
queror.
CONANT. (Welsh and Gaelic .) Conan , a river. Counant,
a cataract in North Wales, from cau, a chasm , a deep hol
low , shut up, and nant, a rivulet.
COMSTOCK . (Dutch.) From kom , a dock or harbor, and
stock , a stick or timber — the wharf or dock of timber.
CONN. (Gaelic.) Strength, according to O 'Donovan ; it is
also the genitive plural of cu, a dog. Cond, signifies pro
tecting,keeping
102 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY .
CONDE. May be a local name from the town of Conde, in the
French part of Hainault, which gave its name to a branch
of the royal family of France, the Princes of Conde. Kun .
dig or kundy, Dutch, signifies knowing, skillful, expert.
CONDER. Conders were persons stationed upon high places
near the sea coast to watch the shoals for fishermen , at the
· time of herring -fishing. The name is derived from the
- French conduire, to conduct.
CONE. (Heb.) A bishop or priest ; koen , in the Dutch, sig
nifies bold , daring, intrepid .
CONKLIN . (Dutch.) From Con , bold, wise, knowing, and
klein, little or son, i. e., the son of Con. Konkelen , in Dutch ,
signifies to plot, intrigue, conspire. Ceangleann , Gaelic, the
head of the valley
CONNELL or CONNELLY. (Celtic and Gaelic.) From
conal, love, friendship. .
CONNOR or CONOR . (Celtic and Gaelic.) From Conchobar,
the chief of men, powerful among men, a leader. O 'Dono
'van derives this name from Conn, strength, and cobhair, aid,
assistatice. Con-na-fir, the head of men.
CONRAD. (Ger.) Able counsel.
CONRY. Local. “Gauir Conrigh," a high mountain near
*Tralee, County of Kerry, Ireland.
CONSTABLE. A name of office. Roger de Lacey first
assumed this surname from being constable of Chester, in
· England. A commander of the cavalry .
CONTIN . Local. From Contin, a parish in Rosshire, Scot
land, derived from the Gaelic Con -tuinn, signifying the
meeting of the waters, alluding to the forking of the river
Rasay, which here form an island.
CONWAY. (Br. and Celtic.). Local. From a river of that
name in Wales, which issues from a lake in Merionethshire,
and flows through a fertile vale of the same name, and
enters the Irish Sea , at Aberconway ; from Con , head ,
chief, and wy, a riv r.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 103
CONYERS. Local. From Coigniers, in Normandy, their
ancient residence ; came into England with William the
Conquero ;
COOEY or COE . (Gaelic.) A hero; literally, the dog of the
plain , from cu , a dog, and magh, a plain. The names of
various animals were given anciently to heroes, to denote
. power,swiftness, or courage.
COOKE. One whose occupation it is to prepare victuals for
the table .
Yorkshire .

COOMBS. (Cor. Br.) A place between hills, a valley ; in the

· Welsh , Cwm.

bold .
COOPER. A name of occupation or trade. The nameis also
local, from Cupar, a town in Fifeshire, Scotland, which is
derived from Cu-pyre, the inclosed fire,or Co, high, a beacon
fire, or signal on the coast for ships. Pyre, a beacon fire, on
a high place, is the origin of the word pier, a wharf or land
ing-place for ships ; Danish, pyr and fyr, a lantern ; Tõp,
Greek , a fire ; the whole landing-place in time was called
the pier.
COORTAN . (Anglo-Saxon.) A band of soldiers.
COOTE. Local. Welsh , Coed, a wood ; Cor. Br., Coit and
Cut. Coot-hill or Coit-hayle, the'wood on the river.
COPP. (Sax.) Local. A hill.
CORBET or CORBIE . (Fr.) A raven .
land, signifying a steep hill, from the Gaelic Cor -beann or
Cor-beinn.
CORDLAN . Welsh, Cor Idlan, a hamlet, same as Cortlan.
104 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
CORKIN . (Gaelic.) Local. The head of the dale ; from
coire, a dell, a circular hollow , and ceann, the head.
CORMAC. (Celtic.) The son of thehappened
chariot; first given, itin isa
said , to a prince of Leinster who to be born
chariot, while his mother was going on a journey.
CORNELIUS. From the Latin cornu, a horn (Greek , képas) ; .
and nacos,the sun — the horn ofthe sun.
CORNELL . In the British it signifies a corner, a place shaped
like a horn (from the Latin cornu ). · Corneille, in the
French, signifies a crow .
CORNING. Local Welsh , cornyn, a small horn, or the
place of winding or turning. :
CORNISH . Local. Belonging to Cornwall, indicating the
place from which the family came.
CORNWALLIS. Local. A native of Cornwall; Cornwall is
derived from cornu , a horn ; Welsh , corn and Galwys, the
Gauls, the ancient people of France; a term indicating the
circular form of the coast. O'Connor derives Cornwall from
„carna, altars, and Gael, i. e., the altars of the Gael. .
CORRIE. Local. A town in the Isle of Arran, Scotland.
Coire, Gaelic, a circular hollow surrounded with hills ; a
mountain dell.
CORWIN . (Cor. Br.) Local. The white castle ; from caer, a
castle, and win or gwin , white ; or the white choir.
CORSE . - (Welsh.) A fen, a wet meadow . Carse, Armoric
and Gaelic, a level tract of fertile land.
the idea of roundness, bending, turning, the winding of a
stream . Gaelic, car ; Welsh , cor, a circle, a dell, a glen ;
caire, a circular hollow surrounded by hills. .
COSTAR or COSTER. (Dutch.) From koster, a sexton ; also,
a cunning, sly fellot'.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 105
COTTRELL. A cotvage, or a cottager.
COTESWORTH .· Local. The estate or place in the wood ;
from coit, a wood, and worth , a place or possession . If from
the French cote, the sea -shore, the estate on the shore.
COTTON. This name affords several derivations. Local,
Welsh, Coedton , the woody hill; Coiton , Cuiton, Cor. Br.;
Cwtton , Welsh, the cottage hill. Cotden, Saxon, the cot in
the valley; Cwthen, Welsh,the ancient cottage or dwelling.
COURT. A place inclosed, protected , cut off; that which ex
cludes access. Saxon , curt ; Arm ., court; Fr., cour ; Gaelic,
cuairt, a circle ; Welsh , cor and cwr, a circle.
COURTLANDT. (Dutch.) Local. From kort, short, little,
· and land or landt, from the short or narrow land, properly
Van 'Courtlandt. .
COURTENAY. Local. A town of France which stands on a
hill on the banks of the small river Clairy, about fifty -six
miles south of Paris. This small town has imparted its
name to several princes, whose actions are celebrated in
French history. The name signifies “ The court near the
water."
COVERT. Local. A sheltered place.
COVENTRY . Local. A city in Warwickshire, England ;
from Coven , a convent, and tre, British , a town — the town
ofthe convent; Welsh,“ Cyfaint-tre."
COWAN. (Gaelic.) Gobhainn, a smith ; Gowan, a Scottish
word for a wild flower.
CQWDRAY or COULDRAY. Local. The grove of hazels.
COWLEY. Local. The cow -pasture.
COX. Cock,.little - a term of endearment, a diminutive, the
same as ot or kin , used as a termination, as Willcox , little
Will; Simcox , little Sim , etc. The word is also often used
to denote a leader or chief man. Addison says: “ Sir
Andrew is the cock of the club ."
 106 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
COWLES. A monk's hood or habit.
CRADOCK. A corruption of the old British name Caradoc,
, which is said to signify " dearly beloved .” .
CRAIG . (Cor. Br. and Welsh .) A rock, a crag, a stone;
Gaelic, carraig, a rock , creag, a rock.
CRAM . (German.) From kram , a retail shop..
CRAMER. (German.) From kramer, a retail dealer.
CRANDELL. (Welsh.) Local. From kren , round, or cran ,
wood ; and dal, or dol, a vale — the round or woody vale .
Crandal, in Irish, signifies the woody vale .
CRANSTON or CRANSTOUN. Local. The town of Crans,
a Danish leader who invaded England ; a parish in Edin
burgshire, Scotland.
CRAPO. (Fr.) From crapaud,a toad , an ugly man .
CRAVEN. One who begs for his life when conquered ; from
crave, a word used formerly by one vanquished in trial by
battle, and yielding to the conqueror. Craven is also the
name of a place in Yorkshire, England, very stony, derived
from craig, Cor. Br., a rock, and pen , a head.
CRAWFORD. Local. First assumed by the proprietor ofthe
lands and barony of Crawford , in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
The extreme ancestor of the ancient family of Crawford, in
Scotland, was Reginald, youngest son of Alan , the fourth
Earl of Richmond. : He seems to have accompanied David
the First to the north, and to have received extensive grants
of land in Strath Cluyd, or Clydesdale, whence his imme
diate descendants adopted the nameof Crawford , then form
ing one of the largest baronies in Scotland, and signifying in
Gaelic " The pass of blood,” from cru, bloody, and ford, a pass
or way, as commemorative, probably, of some sanguinary
conflict between the Aborigines and the Roman invaders.
The name has been derived by others from crodh and port,
pronounced cro -fort, sig rifying “ a sheltering place for
cattle.”
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 107
CRAYFORD. Local. A town on the river Cray, in Kent,
England. The ford over the Cray.
CRESSY. Local. From a town in France by that name. .
CRICHTON . In the Gaelic, criochton signifies a boundary hill,
end, limit, landmark ; creachton , the hill or castle of plunder,
or the ruined, pillaged place.
CRIGAN . The same as Crogan ; creagan,Gaelic, a little rock .
CRITTENDEN . (Cor. Br. and Welsh.) Local. The cot on
the lower hill ; from cru, a cot; tane, lower,and dun or din ,
a hill; or it may be the chalk hill, from krit, Saxon, chalk ,
CROCKER. A maker of coarse pottery. The word crock sig
nified a large barrel-shaped jar. Chaucer says: " Spurn not
as doth a crocke against a wal.”
CROCKET. Kroget, Danish, crooked, bowed, bent.
CROFT. Local. A town of the same name in England ; a
small field near a dwelling.
CROGAN. (Gaelic.) A lean little person ; literally, a shell, a
pitcher, from krogan ; Crogan, a castle in North Wales.
It may signify a little rock.
CROMWELL . (Br.) Local. From crom , crooked , and hal or
hayle, low , level land bordering on the river or sea . Low
lands on the bend of a river.
CRONAN . (Gaelic.) A mournful tune ormurmuring sound.
CRONKHITE. (Ger.) From krankheit, sickly, rickety .
CROOKSHANKS. A name descriptive ofbodily peculiarity.
CROSIER . A bishop's staff, with a cross on the top in the
form of a crutch or T . A sign over a shop.
CROSS. Local. A place where a cross was erected, or where
two ways, roads, or streets intersected each other.
CROSSWELL. Local. A cross erected near a well. John at
the Cross-wel became John Crosswell.
108 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
CROTHERS and CROWTHER. (Welsh.) A harper, a musi
ciar ; from crwth, a barp, a Scandinavian fiddle. Gaelic, cruit.
CROUCH . A cross; from the Latin crux.
CROUNSE . Dutch , kruin , the top or erown ; krans, a wreath
or garland ; Krantz, local, a town in the Duchy of Bremen
from which the family may have come.
CROWELL. Local. From a town in England by that name.
CUDNEY. ( Br.) From Cud or Coit, a wood, and ey , water
. . — the wood near the water,
CUDWORTH . From Crd or Coit, a wood, and worth , a
place, a dwelling — the farm or dwelling in the wood.
CULLEN . Local. From the town of Cullen, in Banffshire ,
Scotland. The derivation is uncertain. It may be from
Cuillean, holly, a place of holly -trees ; or Cullin , the place
at the neck of the lake, from Cul, a neck , the back of any
thing, and lin , a lake, a pond.
CULBERT. (Gaelic.) From Culbheart, craft, cunning.
CULBERTSON. The son of Culbert.
CULVER. A pigeon , a dove.
CUMMINGS. Local. A corruption of Comeyn , anciently
written De Comminges ; from Comminges, a place in
France, whence they came. (See Comeyn.)
CUNNINGHAM . Local. A district in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The name signifies the dwelling of the chief or king, from
the Saxon, cyning, Dutch , koning, a leader or chief,and ham ,
a house or town.
ČUPAR . Local. A borough in Fifeshire, Scotland ; the in
closed or fortified hill, from Cu,Gaelic, inclosed, and bar, a
top, a hill. Cu, a hero , a chief — the chief's hill or fortress. .
CURTIS. An abbreviation of courteous. It may be from
Curthose, a name given for wearing short hose, as the name
Curtmantle was given to Henry the Second of England,
from his introducing the fashion of wearing shortermantles
than had been previously used .
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 109
CURE. (Dutch.) From Keur, an elector; as Keursaxen , the
elector of Saxony.
CUSICK . Kessoch , a town near the Moray Frith, Scotland ;
casach , Gaelic, an ascent going up by steps. Casag, in
Gaelic,signifies a long coat or cassock, formerly a cloak or
gown worn by the clergy over the other garments. The
namemay be local,from the place, or from the peculiar dress
worn by the individual.
CUTTER. A boat;,a name probably taken from the sign of
an inn, as “ John at the Cutter.” Coutier, French, a weaver
or seller of ticking
CUTTIŅG . . (Saxon.) Cuth , well known, famous; and ing,
equivalent to the Latin eris, expressing the existence of the
quality or action of the word to which it is affixed ; or
Cuthing, the son of Cuth . Ing, inge, or inger, in most of
the Teutonic languages, denotes offspring, a descendant.
CUYLER. (Ger.) From Keiler, a wild boar ; figuratively, a
powerful man.
CYNCAD or ĶINCADD . (Welsh .) The front of the battle.
In Gaelic, Ceanncath , the chief or commander of the battle ;
from Ceann, the head, commander, or chief, and cath or cad,
battle, war.

DABNEY. (Nor. Fr.) Local. A corruption of D’Aubigne;

from Aubigne, a town in the department of Cher, France.
DAG . (Dutch .) The same as Day — the time between the .
rising and setting sun ; a dagger, a hand-gun, a pistol; a
sign over a shop or inn.
DAGGETT. Local. Probably a corruption of Dowgate,,a
place in London, so called from dow , British, water— the
water-gate. .
DALE, DELL, or DEAL . Nearly synonymous; a bushy vale ;
low gro ind, with ground ascending around it.
110 . ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

DALLAS. (Welsh.) From Deatlus,knowing, skillful.

DALRY. (Gaelic.) Local. A parish in Ayrshire, Scotland ;
derived from Dal, a valley, and righ , a king — the valley of
the king
DALRYMPLE. Local. Taken from the lands and barony of
Dalrymple, in Ayrshire, Scotland. The name is said to be a
corruption of the Gaelic Dale-roi-milleadh, which signifies
“ the valley of the slaughter of kings," and the place was so
called from a battle fought there before the Christian era , in
which twokings, Fergus and Coilus,were slain . According
to others, it signifies “ the valley of the crooked pool.” I
think the name signifies." the valley on the margin of the
pool,” from the Welsh Dol, a valley ; rhim , the edge or bor
der, and pull, a pool. It is very nearly the same in Gaelic ;
Dail, a vale, troimh, by, along the whole extent, and poli, a
small lake.
DALTON. Local. Lerived from the town of Dalton, in Lan
cashire, England ; a corruption of Dale-ton , the town in the
dale ; or D ’Alton, abbreviated to Dalton, that is from the
high or rocky hill.
DALZIEL or DALYELL. (Gaelic.) Local. Taken from the
parish of Dalziel, in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The parish is
said to have received its name from the old parish church
which stood near the Clyde, which was probably so called
from Dal, a dale or valley , and cille, a church — the church
in the valley . There is the following tradition, told by
· Nisbet, of the origin of the name:
“ A favorite of Kenneth II. having been hanged by the Picts,
and the King being much concerned that the body should
be exposed in so disgraceful a situation, offered a large
reward to him who should rescue it. This being an enter
prise of great danger, no one was found bold enough to
undertake it, till a' gentleman came to the king, and said ,
Dalziel, that is, ' I dare.' In memory of this circumstance
his descendants assumed for their armsa man hanging on a .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. i 111
gallows, and the motto ' I dare.' ". The Dalziels afterward
became Earls of Carnwath . Unfortunately, there is no such
word as Dalziel in either the Gaelic or Celtic, which signifies
“ I dare.” The nameis local, as given above .
DAN . (Gaelic.) Bold ,daring, intrepid.-
DANA. (Celtic.) From Dana, bold , daring. The chosen
successor of a king, among the Celts, was so called ; a poet.
DANFORTH or DANFORD. Local. A place in England ;
the way or ford of the Danes.

DANGER. A corruption of D'Angier, that is, from Angier, a

town in France . Lower says, a person named Danger kept
a public house near Cambridge on the Huntingdon road.
On being compelled to quit his house, he built an inn on the
opposite side of the road, and placed beneath his sign “ Dan
ger from over the way,” whereupon his successor in the old
hotel, inscribed over his door, “ There is no Danger here
now ."
DANGERFIELD. (Fr.) A corruption of D'Angerville , that
France .
DANIELS. (Heb .) Daniel signifies, the judgmentofGod ,the
s added ,being a contraction of son — the son of Daniel.
DANSEREAU. (French.) A dancer.
DANVERS. (Fr.) Anciently written D' Anvers or De An
verso, that is, from the town of Anvers, in France.
DARBY. Local. A corruption of Derby, a shire of England,
so called from doire, a forest, a woody, hilly country abound
ing in deer ; or itmay be Deerby, the town of deer.
DARLEY. (Fr.) A corruption of D ' Erle, from the town of
Erle in France.
DARLING . A name of endearment, a darling; ing, denoting
child , progeny, offspring. .
 112 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
DARRELL. (Nor. Fr.) A corruption of De Orrell, so called :
from a castle and family of Normandy.
· DART. Local. A river in England. Duart, a town in Scot
land.
DARWIN. (Welsh .) From Derwin , an oak ; local, Derwent,
a river in England.
D'AUBIGNE. (Fr.) From Aubigne, a town in France, in
the department of Cher.
DAUBY . A corruption of De Auby or D 'Auby, that is, from
Auby, a town in the Netherlands, 'near the borders of
France.
DAUCHY or DAUCHE. A Dutchman ; an old form of the
• word Dutch or Dutcher, a name given in France to an emi
grant from Holland.
DAUTRY. (Fr.) A corruption of De Autry or D'Autry, that
is, from Autry, a town in Champagne, France.
DAVENPORT. Local. Derived from the town of Daven
port, in Cheshire, England, so called from the river Dan or
Daven (which name signifies a river), and port, a haven or
harbor.
DAVIDS. (Heb.) Beloved, dear ; the s added, being a con - '
traction of son .
DAVIS. A corruption of Davids ; the son of David ..
DAW . (Welsh.) A son-in -law . The name of a species of
birds.
DAWES. Local. D 'Awes, from the river, fountain, or water.
DAWNÀY. (Nor. Fr.) De Aunay or D'Aunay, from the
town of Aunay, in Normandy.
DAWSON . Said to be a corruption of the Nor. Fr. D ' Ossone,
from the town of Ossone; in Normandy. Camden, how
ever, thinks it a contraction of Davison , the son of David,
which is the more probable derivation.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 113
DAY. The Celtic and Gaelic word deag or dagh signifies good,
excellent, the same as Da, in Welsh. Camden supposes the
name to be a pontraction of David . Dai, Du , in the Welsh,
signifies dark, allusion to the complexion or color of the
hair. Dhu, in Gaelic, the same, dark color, black . Deah,
Anglo -Saxon, dark , obscure.
DEACON. A servant orminister in the church. .
DEALTRY and DAUTRY. A corruption of the Latin De Alta
Ripa, from the high bank or shore; Radulphus De Alta
Ripa, Archdean of Colchester died at the siege of Acre in
the Holy Land, during the Crusades.
DEARBORN . (Saxon.) Dear-boren , noble, well-born .
DEARDEN. Local. A corruption of Du-er -den , as still pro
nounced by the natives of Lancashire, England, where
branches of the family reside, and which signifies, “ A
thicket of wood in a valley.” “ Doir-den."
DECKER. From the German Decher, the quantity of ten ;
probably a name given to the tenth child . It may be one
who decks or covers ships or vessels.
DE GRAFF. (Dutch.) De Graaf, the count or earl, the great
man ; de, the, and graaff, count.
DE GROOT. (Dutch .) The great, tall,large man ; or if local,
from the town of Groot, in Holland, which signifies the
great or large place; from de, the, and groot, great.
DELAFIEDD. (Fr.) De La Field — from the field .
DELAFLOTE. (Fr.) “ From the fleet" or ships. It is said,
that not long since, in London, a certain Mr. Delafloat had
his name undergo a singular mutation , in consequence of the
indistinct manner in which his name was announced. The
porter understood the name to be Helaflote, and so pro
claimed it to the groom of the chambers, and the luckless
visitor — a quiet, shy, reserved young man — was actually
ushered into the midst of a crowded drawing-room , by the
ominous appellation of Mr. Helafloat!
114 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
DELAMATER . (Fr.) “ Le maitre," the master, overseer,
landlord, preceptor.
DELANCY . (Fr.) Local. De Lancy, from the town of .
Lancy, in the province of Burgundy, France.
DELANY. Anciently O'Dulainy.
DELAUNEY. (Fr.) Local. De Launey, from Launey, a
town in the province of Champagne, France.
DELMAR. (Spanish.) Del Mare, “ of the sea."
DE LORME. (Fr.) From the town of Lorme, in the prov
ince of Livernoi, France.
DELVEN . (Fr.) De Elven or D 'Elven , from Elven, a town
in Brittany, France.
DEMPSTER. Anciently an arbitrator or officer of justice in
the Scottish courts.
DENIO. Local. Denia , a city of Valencia , in Spain ; De
Noyon , from Noyon, a town of France.
DENMAN. A denizen ; in Welsh, Dinman, the place of a
fortress, from din, a fortress, and man, a place. Denman ,
Saxon, the man of the valley ; a dweller in the vale.
DENNIS or DENIS. A corruption of the Greek name
Dionysius, which is derived from dios, divine, and võus,
mind . Diñas, Welsh , a fort, a stronghold .
DENTON or DINTON . (Sax.) Local. A town in the county
of Buckingham , England. From den , a valley , and ton , a
town,
DERBY. Local. From Derby, in England. Deer-by, the
town or county abounding in deer. (See Darby.)
DERING . (Saxon.) From Dearran or Darran, to dare, bold,
daring ; a name given to an old Saxon chieftain .
DERMOD, DIARMAID , DERMOND, and DERMOT. (Celtic
and Gaelic.) Signify a free man , one having amiable qual
ities.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 115

DESHON. (Fr.) Local. Dijon, a town in France.

DEVENISH . Local. Signifies deep water. This surname
was given to an ancestor of the family who was early settled

DEVENPECK . (Dutch.) Local. From Diepen , deep , and

beck, a brook — the deep brook.
DEVEREUX. (Fr.) D'Evereux, from Evereux, a town in
Normandy. '
DEVILLE. (French .) De Ville, from the village or town.
Somewrite this name Devil !
DEVINE or DEVIN . (Fr.) A soothsayer, a cunning man .
DEVLIN . Local. The Norman spelling of Dublin . In the
great charter of King John, Henry, Archbishop of Dublin, is
written Henri de Diveline.
DEWEES. (Dutch.) De, the,and wees, orphan - the orphan.
DEWEY. Dewi, in the Welsh , is a contraction or rather a .
corruption of David .
DEWSBURY. Local. A town on the river Calder, England.
DE WILDE. · Local. Wildau , called by the Germans Die
Wilde, is a town of Poland, situated near the confluence of
the rivers Wilia and Wiln , from whence its name is derived.
Wild , a wilderness.
DEXTER. A contraction of De Exeter, from the city of
Exeter, in Devonshire, England ; anciently written Excester,
from Ece, the name of the river on which it is situated, and
cester, a camp or town for the derivation of which see .
Chester.
DIBDIN . (Welsh.) Local. From Dib, a slope, sloping
ground , and din , a fortified hill — the fortress on the slope of
the hill.
DIBIN . (Welsh .) Local. A clough, a cleft in a hill ; from
dibyn .
 116
ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
DICK . The familiar abbreviation of Richard . It may come
from the Dutch Dyck , a bank or dike, a bulwark thrown up
in the Low Countries against the sea or rivers to prevent in
. . undation .
DICKENS. Dickings, the son of Dick or Richard.
DICKSON. The son of Dick or Richard.
DIE . Local. A town in the province of Dauphiny, France.
DIEFENDORF. (Ger.) Local. Derived from a small town
of that namein Germany, and so called from Diefen , thiev
ing, and dorf, a village — the thieving village.
DIGBY. Local. From Digby, a town in the county of Lin
coln , England, so named from the Danish Dige, a dike, ditch,
or trench, and by ,a town --the town by the dike. .
DILLINGHAM . (Saxon.) Local. A place in the county of
Cambridge, England ; the town of the market; the buying
and selling place ; of paying out or telling money. Saxon,
Daelan, to divide,separate, throw off, pay over; and ham ,a
village.
DILLON . From the Welsh Dillyn , handsome, gallant, brave,
fine.
· · DIMOCK or DYMOCK . (Welsh .) A corruption of Dia
Madoc, that is, David , the son of Madoc, Dia being the
diminutive of David among the.Welsh . Madoc is derived
from mad, good, with the termination oc affixed, which has
the same effect as our English termination " y."
DINSMOR. Local. Dinas, in Welsh and Cor. Br., is a fort,
city, or walled town, and mawr, great, large.
DISNEY . (Nor. Fr.) Anciently written D ' Isney or D' Eisney,
and originally De Isigney , from İsigney, a small village near
Bayeaux, in Normandy. .
DIX . The same as Dicksor Dickens, the s being a contraction
of son — the son of Dick or Richard .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. . 117

DIXIE . (Sax.) Local. From the Saxon Dic, a ditch , dike,

or fosse, and ea ,water, or ig, an island.
DOBBIN , DOBBS, and DOBSOŅ. The son of Dob or
. Robert.
DOBNEY. A corruption of D’Aubigne (which see).
DODD or DOD. (Ger.) A god -father.' Dod, in Gaelic,sig
nifies the pet ;" peevishness, one who is peevish.
DODSON . The son of Dod.
DODGE. To evade by a sudden shift of place; one who
evades, or quibbles.
DOLBEER . Local. Dolbyr, Welsh, theshort vale ; from dol,
a dell, a valley, and byr, short. Dalbyr, local, a town in
North Jutland, from which the family may have originated.
D 'OILY. Local. From Oily, a place in France ; the same as
Doyle.
DOLE . Local. A town in France; Dowylt, Welsh , shady,
dark .
DONALD, DONELL, or DONELLY. (Gaelic and Celtic.) A
great man, a proud chieftain , from Domhnull. These names
appear to have their root in the Gaelic noun Dion , a defense,
shelter, protection . The verb Dion signifies to defend, to
protect. Dun has nearly the same meaning, a heap, a hill,
or mount, a fortified house or hill, a castle. Surnames com
pounded of Dion, Don, or Dun, were figuratively used to
denote persons of courage, and who werenot easily subdued.
DONKIN . The sameas Duncan (which see).
DONNACH . The sameas Duncan . Diongnach ,Gaelic, strong,
fortified.
DONOVAN . (Celtic.) The brown-haired chief; from Don
dubhan .
DORAN . The son of Dorr. Doran ,Gaelic, an otter ; Doran,
grief, depression of spirits. Dorran ,Gaelic, vexation, anger.
 118 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
DORLAN , or DORLAND. (Dutch.) Local. From Dor, ster
ile, barren , and land, unproductive soil.
DORN . (Dutch.) A thorn-tree.
DORR. This namemay have several significations, according
to the language in which it was first given . Dorr, Gaelic,
• difficult, easily vexed . Dur, Gaelic, persevering, earnest,
obstinate. Dorr, Icelandic, a spear. Dor, Cor. British , the
earth ; also dorre, to break . Doir, local, a woody place.
Dar, Welsh , oak . ;
DORSET. Local. A county in England. Dorsette, Anglo
Saxon,mountaineers.
DOTY. Welsh, Diotty, an ale-house.
DOUAY. (Fr.) Local. Derived from the town of Douay, in
the province of Artois, France.
DOUGALL . (Gaelic and Celtic.) The black stranger, from
Dhu, black ,and gall, a stranger, a term used by the Celts to
denote a Lowlander, a foreigner, not one of them . The
Danes, Swedes, and Norwegianswere called by the Irish
Fionne Gael, or fair -haired, and the Germans “ Dubh Gail,”
or the black strangers.
DOUGHTY . Strong, brave, noble.

Dhu, black , dark, and glass, green. A river of Seotland

which flows into the Clyde. A town of Lanarkshire. The
tradition of the origin of the name is this : in the year 770 ,
a man of rank and figure came seasonably to the assistance
of Solvatius, King of Scotland, whose territory was then
invaded by Donald Bain , of the Western Isles. The victory
being obtained, the King was desirous to see the man who
had done him so signal a service, and he was pointed out to
him in these words, in theGaelic, “ Sholto Dhuglass," " be
hold that dark, or swarthy, man.”
DOUGREY. (Gaelic.) Dugharra, stubborn .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 119
DOWNS. A term applied , in England, to a tract of poor,
sandy, hilly land, used only for pasturing sheep.
DOWELL. (Welsh and Gaelic.) Dowyll, Welsh , shady, dark .
Ynis Dowylt, the shady island.
DOYLE. A corruption of D'Oily, from Oily,a city in France.
DRAKE . (Gaelic.) Drak , a drake; drac, a route,a way, a
footstep ; one who draws or leads, a leader. .
DRAIN . (Gaelic.) Droigheann , a thorn .
DRAPER. One who sells cloths.
DRENNON . Local. Draenon, Welsh, a thorn -tree or bush.
DRISCOL. (Celtic and Gaelic.) Local. From dreasand coill,
a thicket of briars, the place of wild roses.
DRIVER. A drover, one who compels or urges any thing
else to move.
DROVER. One who drives cattle.
DRUMMER. One who, in military exercises,beats the drum .
DRUMMOND. (Gaelic.) Local. From Druim , the back ,
and monadh,mountain , a name of place— the back of the
mountain .
DRURY. A jewel, [Camden.]
DRYDEN . From the Welsh Drwydwn , broken nose. Ac
cording to Evans, Jonreth , surnamed Drwydwn, the father
of Llywelyn, was the eldest son of Owain Groynedd, but
was not suffered to enjoy his right on account of that
blemish.
DUDLEY . Local. A town in Worcestershire, England, so
called from the old English Dode-ley, the place of the dead ,
a burying-ground. Dodelig, in the Danish , signifies pale,
death -like, mortal; so also the Dutch Doodelijk, and Ger
man Todlich .
Duv-da-lethe, in the Gaelic and Celtic,which has been corrupted
to Dudley, has the same signification .
120 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
DUFF. In the Gaelic, signifies black, but in the Cor. Br. and
Welsh , a captain .
DUFIELD . Du feldt, from the field .
DUGAN . Dugan,Gaelic, the son of Dhu, or the dark-haired.
DUMAN . Du,from , and man, an elevation, something grand
or admirable. In the ancient languages,man signifies the
sun, andmon , themoon .
DUMFRIES. Local. A town in Scotland on the river Nith ,
and said to be so called from the Gaelic Dun, a castle, and
Dutch vrows, women - the castle or retreat of the women , a
nunnery . I think rather it is derived from Dunfrith, the
castle in the forest ; Gaelic, Dun, a castle, and frith , a deer
forest.
DUMMER. From the Danish Dommer,an arbiter or judge.
DUMONT. (Fr.) Du Mont, from the hill ormountain.
DUN. Local. From the parish of Dun, Forfarshire, Scotland;
derived from the Gaelic Dun, a hill or rising ground, a fort
or castle.
DUNBAR. Local. From the town of Dunbar, at the mouth
of the Frith of Forth, Scotland.. Dunabar, Gaelic, signifies
the castle, town , or fort on the height or summit. The
town was so called from its situation on the rock which at
this place projects into the sea.
DUNCAN . (Gaelic.) A powerful chieftain , From Dun, a
fortress, and ceann, head or chief. Duncean or Duncan,
strong-headed.
DUNCANSBY. Local. Duncan 's Bay.
DUNDAS. (Gaelic.) Local. The south hill, fort, or castle ;
from dun, a hill or fort, and deas, south.
DUNHAM . Local. A small village in England, so called from
dun , a hill,and ham , a village.
DUNIPACE. Local From the Latin Duni-pacss, hills of
peace.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 121

DUNKELD . (Gaelic.) Local. The hazel-hill.

DUNLEVY. (Cor. Br. and Gaelic.) Local. From Dun , a
hill, ley , green, and vy, a river or stream — the green hills by
the river. Dunlamh or Dunlavy, in Gaelic, signifies the
strong-handed . Dunalamhas,mh having the sound of v, is
the hill or castle of warriors.
DUNLOP. (Gaelic.) Local. A parish in the district of Cun
ningham , Ayrshire, Scotland ; from Dun, a castle, fort, or
hill, and lub, a curvature, a bending of the shore — the castle
or hill at the bend.
DUNN . Gaelic, Dun, a heap, hill,mount; a fortress, a castle,
fastness, a tower. Dunn, Saxon, brown, of a dark color,
swarthy.
DUNNING . The brown offspring, from the Saxon Dunn,
brown, and the termination ing, which , among the Saxons,
signified offspring, as White-ing, the fair offspring, Cuth -ing,
the son of Cuth. Dunning has retained its original orthog
raphy since the days of the Saxons.
DUNSTAN. (Sax.) From Dun,a hill,and stan , a stone— the
stone-hill, or the strong, enduring dun or fortress.
DUPPA . Local. A corruption of D 'Uphaugh , “ from the high
or upper haw ;" haugh , Scottish and North English , a low
lying meadow , a green plot in a valley. Du Pau, local,
from Pau, a town of France.
DUR. In the Gaelic, signifies dull, stubborn , obstinate ; also,
steady, earnest, persevering.
DURANT. From the Latin name Durandus,enduring, strong,
, inured to hardships, from duro, to harden, to inure to hard
ships, to make strong.
DURBAN. Local. D'Urbin , a province of Italy. Urbin or
Urbino, a city situated nearly in the middle of the province
or Duchy of Urbin , near the source of the river Foglia.
URDEN . Local. An old English word signifying a coppice
or thicket of wood in a valley.
122 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
DURHAM . Local. According to Bailey, this word is derived
from the Saxon Dun and holm , a town in a wood . It
seems rather to come from the British Dour, water, and
holm , land surrounded mostly by water. It may be de
rived from Doire, which, in the British and Celtic, signifies
a woody place, abounding in oaks; hence Doireholm or
Dourham , that is, the place or town surrounded by woods.
DURKEE or DURGY. In the Gaelic, Duirche is the compar
ative of Dorch, dark , cloudy, hence dark -complexioned. It
may come from Durga, Gaelic, surly , sour, repulsive
Durgy, in the Cor. Br., signifies a small turf hedge.
DURWARD. A porter or door-keeper - Door-ward.
DUSTIN . Welsh , Dysdain, a steward of a feast.
DUTCHER. (Dutch:) Local. From Duitscher, a German.
DUTTON . Local. A village in Cheshire, England, and may
have several derivations. Dut-ton, i. e., Dutch-town. Du
ton, from Du, Cor. Br., side, and ton, the sameas dun, a hill,
that is, the side of the hill ; or Du- ton, the two hills, from
Du, two, and ton , a hill. Dhu -ton, Gaelic and Welsh , the
black hill.
DWYRE. (Gaelic.) Local. From Do-ire, a woody place,
uncultivated.
DYER . One whose occupation it is to dye cloth .
DYKE. Local. A name given to one who lived near a ditch,
bank, or entrenchment, as " John at the dyke.”
DYKEMAN. One who makes dykes or entrenchments; a
dweller near a dyke or embankment.
DYSART. (Gaelic.) Local. A parish in Fifeshire, Scotland ;
from Dia , God, and ard, high - the temple of the highest.
Dysart was a place of ancient Druidical or Gaelic worship . ,

EAGER. Sharp-set, vehement, earnest. The name may be

local, from the river Eger, in Bohemia, or Egra, a city on
the river Eger.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 123
EASTCOTE . Local. The east-cote or house; so Westcutt, the
west-cote.
EATON . (Sax.) Local. From ea, water, and ton , a town.
There are several parishes in England by this name.
EBERLEE. Local. Eabar,in the Gaelic,is a marshy place, a
place where two or three streams meet. Welsh and Cor.
Br., Aber -lle.
EBERLY. (Ger.) From eber, a boar, and ly, like ; indicating
courage, fierceness, bravery .
ECCLES. A church, from the Greek ékkanoia ,an assembly,
a church , Gaelic eaglais, Cor. Br., Egles and Eglas.
EDDY. In the Gaelic, Eddee signifies an instructor. The
namemay be local from the Saxon Ed, backwards, and ea,
er back,backwapoloma
water - a current of water running back, a whirlpool. Edd,
Welsh , signifies motion, going; Eddu, to go, to move.
EDGAR. (Sax.) From Eadigar, happy or blessed ; honor. "
EDGECUMBE . Local. From the manor of Edgecumbe, in
Devonshire, England. The name signifies, “ the edge of the
valley .".
EDIKER. (Sax.) From Eadigar, happy.
EDMOND. (Sax.) Happy peace.
EDWARD. (Sax.) Happy keeper.
EGBERT. (Sax.) Always bright, famous.
EGGLESTON . (Welsh or Br.) From Egles, a church, and
tun or dun, a hill — the church on the hill.
EIGINN. (Gaelic.) Strong-handed.
ELDRED. (Sax.) All reverent fear.
ELI. (Heb.) The offering or lifting up.
ELIAS. (Heb.) Signifies Lord God .
ELLET. Little Elias, the diminutive ette being added, as Wil
lett, Hallett.
124 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
ELLIOT. Supposed to signify the son of Elias; Heliat, Welsh
and Cor. Br., a huntsman, a pursuer.
ELLIS . Contracted from Elias.
ELPHINSTONE. Local. From the lands and barony of
Elphinstone, in Scotland, and derived from the Anglo
Saxon Elfenne, a fairy or spirit, and stone. These elfenne
or elf-stones are a peculiar hard flint, and in the olden times
were supposed to be shot by the fairies or elfs. The place
is so named from this kind of stone being found on the land.
ELTON . There are many places of this name in England ; it
is impossible to decide from which the family appellation is
derived. The derivation is from the Saxon words ael, an
eel, and ton — a town abounding in eels.
ELWY. Local. A river in Wales.
ELY. Local. From Ely, a city in Cambridgeshire, England,
and signifies the place of willows, from Helig, Cor. Br. and
Welsh ; Latin , Salix. Greek fag, Ealig , an island ; land in
waterland. Greek ,"Elos, a marsh .
EMERSON. (Sax.) Emar, from Ethelmar, noble, and son
the son of the noble.
EMMET. Local. The nameof a river ; “ Eimot,” Gaelic, the
quick river, from eim , quick. Emmet, Saxon , aemet, an
ant.
ENNIS, ENNES, or INNIS. (Celtic or Gaelic.) Local. An
island or peninsula,made so either by a fresh water river or
the sea. Ynys in the Welsh .
ENOS. (Heb.) Fallen man,mortal, sickly.
ERRICK . “ There is a tradition ,” says Dean Swift, “ that the
ancientfamily of the Ericks or Herricks derive their lineage
from Erick the Forrester , a great commander who raised an
army to oppose the invasion of William the Conqueror.”
Erick is derived from Ehr, German, honor, and rick , rich
rich in honor.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 125
ERSKINE. Some writers deduce this family from a noble
Florentine who came to Scotland in the reign of Kenneth
II. It is said, in the reign of Malcolm II., a Scotchman of
high distinction having killed with his own hand Enrique,
one of the Danish generals, at the battle of Murthill, cut off
his head, and with the bloody dagger in his hand showed it
to the king, and in theGaelic language said Eriskyne, " upon
the knife,” alluding to the head and dagger ; and in the same
language also said , " I intend to perform greater actions than
what I have done.” Whereupon, King Malcolm imposed
upon him the surname of Eriskine, and assigned him for his
armor-bearings a hand holding a dagger, with “ Je pense
plus” for a motto, which has continued to be the crest and
motto of this family.
ERWIN . Welsh , Erwyn , very fair, white. Urfionn, Gaelic,
beautiful, fair.
ESHAM . Local. From a town by that name in Worcester
shire, England, formerly Eoves-ham , so called from one
Eoves Egwins, a shepherd, who was afterward Bishop of
Worcester, and ham , a village.
ESTLEY. Local. The east field or pasture- East-ley.
ETHELBERT. (Sax.) Noble, bright, from Ethel or Adel,
noble, and bert, bright, famous.
ETON . Local. Awtwyn , in Welsh , is the hillock near the
waters, from Aw , water, and twyn, a small hill. In Saxon,
Ea and ton have the same signification , i. e., " the hill or
town near the water.”
EURE. Local. From the lordship of Eure, in Buckingham
shire, England. Eure, in the Cor. Br., signifies a goldsmith. .
EUSTACE . From the Greek Evotabis, standing firm .
EVANS. The Welsh for John, the same as Johns. Evan,
eofn , fearless, bold .
EVELYN. Local. From Evelyn, in the county of Salop ,
England.
126 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
EVERARD. (Sax.) The same as Eŭdofos in Greek , that is,
well reported, ever honored ; or from Eberhardt, ever hard or
enduring. Some writers are of opinion that we have Ebers,
Everard , Evered , and Everet, from Eber, a boar.
EVERETT and EVERTS. A corruption of Everard. :
EVERLY. Local. A place in Wiltshire, England.
EWELL. Local. A town in England. Ewhill, Cor. Br., sig
nifies high, tall.
EYRE. The same as Ayres or Ayre (which see).
EYTINGE. (Saxon.) Local. From Ey, Saxon , ig,an island,
a watery place, and ing, a meadow — the meadow on the
island or near the water.

FAAL. (Gaelic.). A rocky place ; Fells, Saxon, crags, barren

and stony hills. Fales has the same signification. Falaise,
a town in France, takes its name from the rocks which sur
round it.
FABER. (Latin .) A workman, a smith .
FABIAN. Derived from the Latin Fabius, Faba , a bean — the
bean-man , so called from his success in cultivating beans.
FACET. French , Facette, a little face. Facete, from the Latin
Facetus, gay, cheerful.
FADEN . (Gaelic.) Feadan, a fife, flute, chanter of a bagpipe,
a musical instrument. Fudan, the son of Fad.
FAGAN . (Gaelic.) A beech -tree. The Fagans were descended
from Patrick O 'Hagan, living A.D. 1180. O 'Hagan, the pos
terity of Agan. Ogan, Ogyn, or Hogyn signifies, in the
Welsh , young, a youth . Gaelic, Og, a young man.
FAGG . (Saxon.) Fag, variable or many colored ; may be
-bestowed on the first possessor from his variable disposition.
Fag, a laborious drudge.
FAIRBAIRN. The sameas Fairchild — a fair, handsome bairn
or child .
FAIRFAX (Sax.) Fair-hair; Faez,hair.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 127
FAIRHOLM . Local. The fair island, or fair lands bordering
on water ; also , where a fair ormarket is held .
FAKE or FALKE. (Ger.) A falcon or hawk ; figuratively,
daring or enterprising.
FALES. Local. Fale, a river of Cornwall, England ; also, a
rough, rocky place.
FALKLAND. (Sax.) From Folck , the common people, and
land — the land of the common people, in the time of the
Saxons.
FALUN. Local. A town of Sweden. Falan, Gaelic, the
son of Fale .
FANE. From Fane, a temple, a church . Gaelic, Fann, faint,
weak, feeble.

FANSHAW . Local. Fane, a temple or church , and shaw , a

FAR. Fawr, same as Mawr, Gaelic and Welsh , great.
FARMAN . (Ger.) Fahr-mann,master ofa ferry -boat.
FARNHAM . Local. From a town in Surrey, England, “ so
called from the Saxon Fearn , fern , and ham , a habitation or
village— the village in the place overgrown with fern ."
FARQUHAR. (Gaelic.) From Fear, a man , and còir,just,
honest, good, or car, friendly ; Fearciar, from Fear and ciar,
dark -gray - a dark -gray man.
FARQUHARSON. The son of Farquhar.
FARRADAY. (Gaelic.) From Farraideach , inquisitive, pry
ing, curious.
FARRAR. A corruption of Farrier, a name of trade. Pfarrer,
in German, a minister.
FASSET and FAUCET. (Fr.) Fausette, falsehood , cheat,
forgery .
FAULKNER. (Ger.) A catcher or trainer of hawks.
128 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

beech were called Faye, Fayel, and Fautlaie.

FEARAN. (Gaelic.) An estate.
FELCH. Probably a corruptiou of Welch ; Filch means to
pilfer.
FELL. Fel, in the Dutch, signifies fierce, furious, violent; also
place ; a moor, a valley . A short time since, a tradesman
named James Fell migrated from Ludgate Hill to Fleet
street, and announced the event in the following manner :
“ I. Fell, from Ludgate Hill;" under which a wag wrote ,
“ Oh what a fall was there,my countryman !” — LOWER.
FELTON. Local. A small town in England ; the rocky or
stóny hill.
FENSHAW . Local. The shaw or grove in the fen .
FENTON. (Welsh or Br.) A well.
FERDINAND. (Ger.) From Fred , peace, and rand, pure
pure peace.
FERGUS. (Gaelic and Celtic.) A fierce or brave chieftain ,
from Fear, man, and guth, a voice or word , that is, the man
of the word, a commander of an army. Some suppose the
first Fergus was so named from Fairghe, the sea, on account
of his large navy ; others, from his raging like the sea in
battle. Feargach, fiery .
FERGUSON. The son of Fergus.
FERRER or FERRERS. Local. From Ferrieres,a small town
of Gastinois , France, so called from the iron mines with
· which the country abounded ; or the name may have orig
inated from the occupation of a farrier or iron -dealer.
FERRIS. A corruption of Ferrers (which see). Fferis, in the
Welsh , signifies steel.
FERROL, FIROL. (Gaelic.) Famousmen .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 129
FIELDING . This family trace their descent to the Earls of
Hapsburgh , in Germany. Geffery, a son of Edward of
Holland, served with Henry III. in the wars of England,
and because his father had dominions in Lauffenburgh and
Renfelden , he took the name of Felden or Fielding.
FIFE . Local. A shire or county of Scotland ; lands held in
fief.
FIFIELD. Local. Has the same signification as Manorfield .
Landsheld in fee or fief, for which the individual pays serv
ice or owes rent.
FILEY and FILLEY. Local. From a town in England by
that name. Filid , Gaelic, the d silent, a poet, a bard.
FILO . Filea , in the Gaelic, is a bard, poet, or historian.
Vínos, in the Greek, a friend.
FILMUR and FILMORE. This name, in all probability , arose
from a residence near a lake or a fertile piece of ground ;
Fille, Sax., denoting fullness or plenteousness, and mere, a
lake or moist piece of ground. The name has been spelled
at different times Fylmere, Filmour, and Filmore. Several
other derivations may be found for the etymology of this
name. From Filea, Celtic and Gaelic, a bard, a historian,
and mor, great, that is, the famous bard. The Fileas, among
the Gauls, or Celts, were held in great esteem , and their
office was honorable. They turned the tenets of religion
into verse, and animated the troops before and during an
engagement with martial odes, and celebrated the valorous
deeds of thechieftains and princes who entertained them .
FINCH . A small singing bird.
FINNEY. Finne, Gaelic, the genitive of Fionn, fair, sincere,
true; bringing to an end, wise, a head, chief. The name
may be local from Fines, a place in France.
FIRMAN . Ferdmon,a soldier.
FISK. (Fr ) From Fisc, revenue, public funds.
130 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

FISTER . (Dan .) A fisherman.

FITZ GERALD. (Nor. Fr.) The son ofGerald, Fitz,a son,
Gerald (Teutonic), all-surpassing, excellent.
This ancient and honorable family is traced from Otho or
Other, a Baron in Italy , descended from the Grand Dukes
of Tuscany. Walter, son of Otho, came into England with
William the Conqueror, and afterward settled in Ireland.
Maurice Fitz Gerald assisted Richard Strongbow in the con
· quest of thatkingdom .
FITZ GILBERT. (Nor. Fr.) The son of Gilbert; Fitz, a
son, Gilbert, gold -like bright, or bright or brave pledge,
from gisle, Saxon, a pledge. (See Gilbert.)
FITZ HAMON. The son of Hamon , Hebrew , faithful, é. Con
the son of the faithful.
FITZ HARDING. The son of Harding (which see). ,
FITZ HATTON . The son of Hatton (which see).
FITZ HENRY. The son of Henry (which see).
FITZ HERBERT. The son of Herbert (which see).
FITZ HERVEY . The son of Hervey (which see).
FITZ HUGH. The son of Hugh (which see ).
FITZ JOHN. The son of John (which see).
FITZ MORICE. The son of Morris (which see).
FITZ ORME. The son of Orme (which see ).
FITZ PARNELL. The son of Parnell (which see).
FITZ PATRICK. The son of Patrick (which see).
FITZ RANDOLPH . The son of Randolph (which see).
FITZ ROY. The son of Roy (which see).
FITZ SWAIN . The son of Swain (which see).
FLACK. Local. (Dutch.) “ Dlak," flat, low ground .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 131
FLA HERTY . (Celtic.) A man of chieftain-like exploits.
From flaith , a lord or chief, and oirbheartach , noble-deeded ;
theman of noble deeds.
FLANDERS. Local. A name given to a native of Flanders,
a County or Earldom of the Low Countries, or Nether
lands. It took its name either from Flandrina, the wife
of Liderick II., Prince of Buc, or from Flambert, the
nephew of Clodion , King of France.
FLANNAGAN . (Gaelic.) From flann, ruddy complexion.
FLEMING . Local. A native or inhabitant of Flanders. See
Flanders.
FLETCHER. A maker of arrows, or superintendant of arch
ery . From the French flèche, an arrow .
FLINT. Local. Derived from a market town of that name,
near the sea, in Flintshire, Wales, which gives name to the
county.
FLOOD. Originally Fludd or Floyd (which see).
FLOYD. The same as Llwyd, Welsh, brown, gray, hoary .
FOLGER . Camden defines the name, “ Foulgiers, Fearne" (fern).
Fougeres, local, a town of France, near the frontiers of Nor
mandy. This town has given its name to a noble family.
Raoul de Fougers fortified the town, and built the castle.
FOLJAMBE . Full James, Fool James ?
FOLLET or FOLLIOT. (Fr.) Frolicksome, merry, gay.
“ Rightly named was Richard Folioth , Bishop of Hereford,
who, when he had incurred the hatred of many for oppos
ing himself against Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canter
bury, one cried with a loud voice at his chamber window at
midnight: ' Folioth, Folioth , thy god is the Goddess Azaroth.'
He suddenly and stoutly replied : ' Thou liest, foul fiend,my
God is the God of Sabaoth.” — Camden .
132 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
FONDA. Spanish , Fonda, bottom , foundation, the source or
beginning. Fondi,a town of Naples, in Italy, so called from
the Latin fundus, the bottom .
FOOTE. Local. A place at the bottom of a hill ormountain,
the base.
FORBES. Local. Lands free from military service, called
Saor Forba, or free lands. The name of a parish in Aber
deenshire, Scotland.
FORBISHER. A polisher of armor or weapons.
FORDHAM . Local. So named from a town in England ; the
house or village at the ford.
FORRESTER and FORSTER . A woodman .
FORSYTHE. (Gaelic.) From Fear, a man, and Syth, up
right, honest, stiff.

brave), one of the leaders in the army of William the Con

queror, who had the good fortune to protect his chief at the
battle of Hastings, by bearing before him a massive shield ,
hence acquired the addition of the French word escue, a
shield, to his name.
FOSDYKE. Local. The name of a canal, cut by the order
of Henry VIII., from the great marsh near Lincoln , Eng
land, to the Trent. Fosse-dyke.
FOSGATE . From fosse, a ditch, moat, or trench, and gate.
FOSS. (Cor. Br.) The entrenchment, moat, or ditch. Fos,
Danish , a waterfall, cataract.
FOSTER. Probably a corruption of Forrester or Forster.
FOTHERBY. Local. The town of provisions, food and fod
cattle, and by, a town.

brook .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 133
FOTHERINGHAM . Local. The house or town supplying
food for man and beast, from Fother, as above, and ham , a
village.
FOULIS. The surname of Foulis is of Norman extraction.
Their first British ancestor came into England either at or
before the Conquest, and his armorial bearings were three
leaves, called " Feuilles" in the old Norman ; it is certain
that the name was either given to the family while resi
dents of South Britain , or else assumed by him who first
settled in Scotland in the reign of Malcom Canmore, when
surnames were then first adopted .
FOUNTAIN . Originally De Fonte or De Fontibus (Fountain ),
from the springs or fountains near which they resided.
FOWLER. A sportsman who pursues wild fowl.
FOX. A name taken from the cunning animal; about the year
1333 the Shanachs in Ireland anglicised their name to Fox.
FRAME. (Gaelic.) Freumk or Freamk, a root, stem ,stock,
lineage.
. FRANK. A native of France, free; a name given by the
Turks, Greeks, and Arabs, to any of the inhabitants of
the western part of Europe, whether English , French , or
Italians.
FRANCIS . From the Saxon, Frank, free . The Franks were
a people who anciently inhabited part of Germany, and
having conquered Gaul, changed the name of the country
to France.
FRANKLAND. A name given by the Saxons to the land of
the Franks.
FRANKLIN . Anciently, in England, a “ superior freeholder,"
next below gentlemen in dignity, now called country
Squires. Fortescue says (De Leg. Ang.), “ Moreover Eng
·land is so filled and replenished with landed menne, that
therein the smallest thorpe can not be found wherin dwell ,
134 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
eth not a knight or an esquire, or such a householder as is
there commonly called a Franklin , enriched with great pog
sessions, and also other freeholders, and many yeomen, able
for their livelyhood to make a jury in form aforementioned."
So Chaucer, in his Canterbury Tales ;
" A Franklin was in this companie,
White was his beard, as is the dayesie.”
FRASER . Fraischeur, French , freshness, coolness, bloom ;
Friseur, a hairdresser, from friser, French, to curl.
FREDERICK. (Germ .) Rich peace, or peaceable reign .
FREEMAN . One who enjoys liberty, or is entitled to a fran
chise, or peculiar privilege, as the freeman of a city or state.
FREER. French, Frere, a friar,a monk,a brother.
FREIOT. (Dutch.) Fraaiheid, signifies prettiness, neatness.
FREMONT. Local. From Framont, a place in France, near
Lorraine, meaning the Franc or free mount, the battel hill :
or the fresh , blooming, beautiful hill, from frais, French,
bloomi ng .
FRENCH . Originally coming from , or belonging to France.
FRERY. Contracted from Frederick (which see).
FRIAR . (French.) From Frère, a brother, a member of a re
ligious order ; a monk who is not a priest, those friars who
are in orders being called fathers.
FRISBY. Local. (Danish.) The new , or fresh town ; Welsh,
fres ; French, frais, fresh , new , recently built; Danish frisk ,
and by, a town .
FRISKIN . (Gaelic.) From Fear, and skein , a sword ; the
man with the ready sword or hanger.
FROBISHER . The sameas Forbisher (which see).
FROST. (Welsh.) Ffrost, a brag.
work s without in any way to

OF FAMILY NAMES. 135

FROTHINGHAM . Local. A house or village situated near
a strait or arm of the sea . Frithingham , the house or vil
lage among the hawthorns; frith , Cornish British, a haw
- thorn, white thorn. Frith ,Gaelic, a forest, a place of deer.
FRY . (Cornish British.) Local. A hill, a town or house on
the most prominent part of a hill or eminence. German ,
Frei, free, Dutch, Vry, or Fry ,free.
FULHAM . Local. A village on the Thames, England, and
derives its name from the Saxon Fullen , fowl, and ham , that
is , the house or village of fowl. Either from the house
noted for its good living, or from the neighborhood pro
ducing good poultry .
FULKE. Dutch, Valk, a hawk ; German, Falke.
FULKINS. The son of Fulkę.
FULLER. One who fulls cloth ; a clothier.
FULLERTON . Local. The town where cloth is dressed.
FULSOM . Local. From Foulsham , a town in England,
where, perhaps, were raised plenty of fowl, or the streets
foul, or the population full and crowded. Saxon, Fullen ,
foul.
FURBUSHER . The same as Forbisher (which see).

GADSBY. (Dan .) From gåde, a street,and by ,a town,i.e.,

street-town; or the gate -town, if Webster is correct in giv
ing gade the Danish for gate.
GAIRDEN .. (Gaelic.) An inclosed or fortified place; the
beacon hill or hillof alarm , from gair, an outcry, an alarm
and din , a bill or fortress.
GALBRAITH . A compound of two Gaelic words, Galland
Bhreatan, that is, strange Briton , or Low Country Briton .
The Galbraiths in the Gaelic are called Breatannich , or Clann
a- Breatannich, that is, the Britons, or the children of the
136 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
Britons, and were once reckoned a great name in Scotland,
according to the following lines :
" Bhreatanuich o'n Talla dhearg,
Hailse sir Alba do shloinneadh .”
" Galbraith's from the Red Tower,
Noblest of Scottish surnames.”
The " Talla dhearg,” or “ Red Tower," was probably Dumbarton ,
that is, Dun Bhreatain , the hill or stronghold of the Britons,
whence it is said the Galbraiths came. Galbraith ,Welsh,
the diversified plain .
GALE. A Gael or Scot ; a stranger. Fingal, the white
stranger, Dugal, the black stranger, alluding to the com
plexion or color of the hair. The root of Gall, or Gaul,
is Hal, the sun, from which we have Gal, Gel, Gi, brilliant,
bright, glorious. Greek, ñcós ; Welsh , haul, Cornish Brit
ish, houl, the sun. Ge, brilliant, and haul; Gehaul, Gaul,
the ancient name of France — still called “ sunny France."
GALGACHUS. In the chronicle of the kings of Scotland
Galgachus is called Galdus, of which name and its etymol
ogy Gardon gives the following account: .
Galgachus was Latinized by the Romans, from the Highland
: appellations Gald and cachach ; the first, Gald, being the
proper name, and the second, cachach , being an adjection to
it from the battles he had fought ; it signifies the same as
præliosus; Gald the fighter of battles,which kind of nick
names are still in use among the Highlanders. Colgach ,
Gaelic, fierce, furious, and ach, battle, skirmish .
GALL. A native of the Lowlands of Scotland ; any one
ignorant of the Gaelic language ; a foreigner, stranger. Gal,
Gaelic and Cor. Br., battle, evilwarfare ; Gal, Welsh , clear.
GALLAGHER. (Gaelic.) From Gallach, valiant, brave, and
er put for fear,a man. Air is a common termination of
nouns, and changes into eir, ir, or, oir, and uir, its etymon
being fear, a man .
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 187
GALLIGAN . (Gaelic.) From Gealagan, white.
GALLUP. (Ger.) A corruption of Gottlieb, from Gott,God ,
and lieb, love or praise God's praise.
GALT orGUALT. A bush of hair. Welsh, Gwalt.
GAINNES. Gaelic, Gainne, a dart, an arrow , a shaft; given
because of expertness in the use of these weapons of war.
GANESVOORT. (Dutch.) From Gans, a goose, and voort,
advanced, forward,that is, the forward goose or the gander;
figuratively, a leader.
GANO. Local. Welsh, genau, an opening of a lake, river,
dale or valley ; a place admitting entrance. Genau, in Ger.,
signifies short, alluding to stature.
GARDENER and GARDNER . A name derived from the
occupation.
GARDINER. This namemay be derived from the same roots
as Gairden . It is probably , however, the same as Gar
dener, the orthography having been changed. Camden says,
“ Wise was the man that told my Lord Bishop (Stephen
Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester) thathis namewas notGar
dener as the English pronounce it, butGardiner, with the
French accent, and therefore a gentleman .”
The principal family of the Gardiners in this country derive
their descent from Lion Gardiner, a native of Scotland, who
served under General Fairfax in the Low Countries as an
engineer. He was sent to this country in 1635, by Lords
Say and Sele, Brooke, and others, to build a fort, and make
a settlement on their grant at themouth of the Connecticut
river. He built the fort at Saybrook , which name he gave
to it after the names of his patrons Lords Say and Brooke.
His eldest son, David, born at Fort Saybrook, in 1636, was
the first white child born in Connecticut. He afterward
bought from the Indians the island in Long Island Sound,
called by them Monchonack, and by the English the Isle of
Wight, paying for it, as the old records say, a black dog, a
 138 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
gun, and some Dutch blankets. He removed there with his
family, and gave it the name of Gardiner's Island. The
island still remains in the possession of the family, having
descended in a direct line from Lion Gardiner.
GARENNIER. (Fr.) A warrener, a keeper of a warren .
GARFIELD. Local. Sax., Garwian, to prepare ; German
and Dutch, gar, dressed, done, ready prepared, and field, a
place where every thing is furnished necessary for an army.
GARNET. Local. Garnedd, Welsh, a tumulus; an ancient
place of Druid worship . Carnedd , a cairn . Garnet, a
precious stone.

supply. Italian, Guarnire; Norman, Garner, to warn, to

summon , to fortify .
GARRAH. (Cor. Br.) Local. The top of the hill; Garw ,
Welsh,-rough.
GARRET. A corruption ofGerard (which see).
GARRISON . Local. A place where troops are stationed, for
the defense of a town or fort, or to keep the inhabitants in
subjection.
GARROW , GAROW , and GARO, in the British, signifies
fierce, keen, sharp, rough, a rough place ; Gaelic, Garbh ,
rugged, mountainous.
GARRY. Local. A town in Scotland.
GARTH . (Welsh.) Local. A hill or promontory ; Gart,
Gaelic, a head.
GASKELL. (Gaelic.) From Gaisgeil, valorous.
GASTON. Local. From Gastein , a town in Bavaria. Also a
brave or valorous many worm Gais, Gaelic, bravery , valor,
and duin, a man .
GATES. Local. Gate, in Scotland,means a road or way.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 139
GAVET. Local. A town in Savoy or Dauphiny, an old
province of France .
GAYER. A gray-hound; a swift dog.
GAYLOR . That is, Geller — loud-voiced.
GEAR and GEER. Gear signifies all sorts of wearing apparel
and equipments for horses and men , from the Saxon gear
rian, to make ready ; and the namewas probably given to
one who took charge of and superintended the gear. John
of the Gear, John O 'Gear, and at length John Gear.
GEDDES or GETTY . Local. Gaetà , a town of Italy, and
signifies a stronghold . Gaelic, Caetigh ; Welsh , Caety, from
Cae, surrounded, defended, shut up, and tigh or ty , a house.
Geddes, the son of Gideon.
GEOFFREY. (Belgic.) From gau,joyful, and fred , peace
joyful peace,
GEORGE. (Greek.) A husbandman, a farmer, from Tewpyos.
GERARD. (Teut.) From Gar, all, and ard , nature; apt,
· docile ; one ready to do or learn , amiable.
GERMAIN . (Ger.) A name given to a native of Germany.
German is derived from Werr -man, i. e., war-men , a name
assumed by the Tungri, in order to strike terror into their
Gaelic opponents. The Romans, for want of a W , for Werr
man wrote Gerrman. Vonhammer derives the word from
the land of Herman, now Chorasin .
GERRY. A corruption of Gerard (which see ). Gairdeach ,
the d silent, from Gairde, Gaelic, festive, joyful.
GERVAS. (Ger.) Steadfast, honorable.
GETMAN. (Ger.) The same as Ketman, from kette, a chain ,
and mann — a chain -man , one who used or carried a chain ;
a surveyor; a maker of chains.
GIBBON . (Welsh.) Guiban,a fly . Gibean, in Gaelic, signi
fies a hunch-ba k ; Gibb -ing, the son of Gilbert.
140 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
GIBBS. From Gib, a nickname for Gilbert.
GIBSON . The son of Gib or Gilbert.
GIDDINGS. The son ofGid or Gideon .
GIFFORD or GIFFARD. (Sax.) Liberal disposition ; the
giver . The name is also local, a town on the water of Gif
ford, Haddington Co., Scotland, from Gaf, Celtic, a hook, a
bend, and ford .
GIHON . Local. Gien or Gihen , a town of France, in the
province of Orleans.
GILBERT. (Ger.) Bright pledge, from Gisle, a pledge ; or
gold -like, bright, from the Saxon Geele, yellow .
GILCHRIST. (Gaelic.) From gille, a servant,and Chriosed ,
Christ — the servant of Christ.
GILKINSON . The son of ilkin . Gilkin is the child of Gil
or Gilbert, kin meaning child or offspring.
GILL. Local. A valley or woody glen ; a narrow dell with a
brook running through it ; a small stream .
GILLAN. Local. A town in Scotland.
GILLESPIE . The Gaelic for Archibald , from Gille, a youth
or servant, and speach, a word expressive of quickness and
sharpness in ' battle ; spuaic, Gaelic, to break the head, to
knock .
GILLETT. From Guillot, the French diminutive for William .
The family may have come with William the Conqueror
into England, from Gillette, a town in Piedmont, France.
Gillette, the son of Giles.
GILLIES. (Gaelic.) Gill- Iosa , the servant of Jesus.
GILLPATRICK. (Gaelic.) From gille, a servant, and Patrick
— the servant of Patrick.'
GILLY.
Coille.
(Cor. Br.) The wood or grove of hazel; Gaelic,
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 141
GILLMAN . The Gillmans are said to have come from the
province of Maine, in France,' into England with William
the Conqueror, and to have settled in Essex, England.
Whether a Gaulman , a Gael, or Brookman, from gill, a
brook, the same as kill in Dutch , is uncertain.
GILMOUR. Gillemore, Gaelic, the benchman or follower of
the chief, one who carried the chief's broadsword, from gille,
a servant, and mor,large, great.
GILROY. Gile-roimh, a running footman attendant on a
Highland chieftain ; from gille, a servant, and roimh, before ,
in respect of situation or place ; or Gille-righ , the servant of
theking.
GILSON . The son ofGil or Gilbert.
GIRDWOOD . Local. The green wood, from the Welsh
gwyrdd ; or the inclosed wood, from the Danish gierde, a
hedge; girds, shoots of trees.
GIRVAN . Local. From the river and town ofGirvan in Ayr
shire, Scotland. In the Welsh, Gearafon or Gwyrddafon ,
implies the river flowing through the green flourishing place,
from afon or avon , a river, and Gwyrdd , green, flourishing.
GIVENS. (Welsh.) A smith, the sameas Gove; Gaelic, gob
hain .
GLANVILLE . Local. A house or castle on the shore of a
river or the sea ; Welsh , glan, a shore, bank of a river ; old
French or Gaelic, the same; as Glandeve, in France, on the
banks of the Var. Glan or glen signifies also a narrow val
ley or dell.
GLASGOW . (Gaelic and Cor. Br.) Local. From the city.
of Glasgow , Scotland. The green, fruitful place, from glas,
green, and geu or gew , a “ choice field,” the stay or sup
port of the estate.
GLASS. (Gaelic.) Gray, pale, wan ; glas, Welsh, green.
GLENTWORTH . Local. From Glyn , a valley, and worth ,
a habitation , dwelling, or farm .
 142 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
GLISTON. Local. Glaston , the green hill; Gliston , the shin
ing bill, the mineral or mica bill.
GLOUCESTER. Local. From the city of Gloucester, Eng
land, the ancient Gleva , from the Welsh Glo, coal, coal
mines, and castrum , Latin , a Roman fort or camp ; Saxon ,
ceaster , a city , — the city of coal.
GLYN. (Br.) Thewoody vale.
GOADBY . Local. This name is derived from the Danish
word Gode, that is, good, fair, rich , fine, and by, the Danish
for a town - meaning the fair or handsome town. If the
word is of British origin, it signifies the town by the wood ,
from Goed , in the Cor. Br., a wood.
GODARD. (Ger.) God-like disposition. . The name may be
local, from Goddard, à mountain in Switzerland.
GODENOT or GODENO'. (Fr.) “ A Jack in the box," a pup
pet, a little ugly man . The name may be local, and come
from Gudenaw , a town on the Lower Rhine, Germany.
GODFREY. (Ger.) God's peace, godlike peace, from God
and frid or frede, peace, or from Gau-fred, joyful peace .
GODOLPHIN . (Cor. Br.) A little valley of springs; from
Godol, a little valley, and phin or phince, springs.
· GODWIN . Same as Goodwin or Gooden, derived from God
or good, Sax., and win, conqueror, that is, a conqueror in
God, converted or victorious in God.
“ In one of those battles fought between Edmund the Anglo
Saxon,and Canute the Dane, the Danish armybeing routed
and forced to fly, one of their principal captains named Ulf
lost his way in the woods. After wandering all night, he
met at daybreak a young peasant driving a herd of oxen
whom he saluted , and asked hig same. ' I am Godwin , the
son of Ulfnoth,' said the young peasant, and thou art a
Dane.' Thus, obliged to confess who he was, Ulf begged
the young Saxon to show him the way to the Severn,
where the Danish ships were at anchor. 'It is foolish in a
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 143
Dane,' replied the peasant, ' to expect such a service from a
Saxon ; and besides, the way is long, and the country peo
ple are all in arms.' The Danish chief drew off a gold ring
from his finger, and gave it to the shepherd as an induce
ment to be his guide. The young Saxon looked at it for an
instant with great earnestness, and returned it, saying, ' I
will take nothing from thee, but I will try to conduct thee.'
Leading him to his father's cottage, he concealed him there
during the day ; when night came on , they made prepara
tions to depart together. As they were going, the old peas
ant said to Ulf, “ This is my only son, Godwin , who risks his
life for thee. He cannot return among his countrymen
again ; take him , therefore, and present him to thy King,
Canute, that he may enter into his service.' The Dane
promised, and kept his word . The young Saxon peasant
was wellreceived in the Danish camp, and rising from step
to step by the force of his talents, he afterward became
known over all England as the great Earl Godwin .”
GOFF. (Welsh.) Gof, a smith.
GOLBURN. (Cor. Br.) Local. The holy well.
GOLDSMITH . A name of trade; formerly in England, a
banker.
GOLLY or GOLLAH. Local. (Cor. Br.) The bottom , or
low place .
GOODALL. Good-hall, a fine hall or mansion ; or good-ale.
GOODENOUGH. The same as Godenot or Godeno' (which
see ) .
GOODHUE. Compounded ofgood and Hugh. Good-Hugh .
GOODRICH . (Saxon.) Goderick , from God, God or good,
and ric, rich ; rich in God, or in goodness.
GOODYEAR, GOODSIR ,GOODSIRE. It is not difficult to
· derive these.
GOOKIN . (Gaelic.) From Gugan,a bud, flower, a daisy.
144 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
GORDON . Gurtduine, Gaelic, a fierce man ; Gwrddyn ,
Welsh , a strong man ; Cawrdyn, Welsh , a hero, a giant.
Some have derived theGordons from Gordinia , in Thessaly ;
others say they are descendants of the Gorduni mentioned
by Cæsar in his Commentaries. The name appears to be
local, and may be derived from a town in France of that
name,in the Department of Lot. It signifies in Gaelic the
round hill, or the hill that surrounds, from Gour, round,
and dun, a hill or fort.
GORING . Local. A battle field , a bloody place, from gore,
bloody, and ing. A place in Sussex, England ; an angle, a
corner.
GORMAN. A native ofGermany, the same as Germain (which
see).
GORTEN . Local. (Gaelic.) From Gairtean, a garden , a
small piece of arable land enclosed . Gortan , signifies a hun
gry , stingy, penurious fellow .
GOSPATRICK . Corrupted from the Latin “ Comes Patri
cius," “ Count Patrick ," a title given to the Earl of March ,
of Scotland.
GOSS. (Saxon.) A goose, from Gos, a goose.
GOUDY. Local. From Gouda, a town in the Netherlands,
in South Holland.
GOUPIL . (Fr.) An obsolete French word for fox .
GOW or GOWAN . (Gaelic.) A smith . The Gowan or
smith of a Highland clan was held in high estimation. His
skill in the manufacture of military weapons was usually
united with great dexterity in using them , and with the
strength of body which his profession required.
The Gowan usually ranked as third officer in the chief's house
hold .
GOWER . Local. (Welsh.) *Gwyr, a place in Glamorgan
shire, a place inclosed round, encircled . This peninsula is
mostly surrounded by the sea and rivers.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 145
GRACE . Originally Le Gros [""the fat or large”],a name given
to Raymond, one of the adherents of Strongbow , who was
the ancestor of the family in Ireland.
GRAHAM, GRÆME, GRIMES. From the Anglo Saxon
Grim , Dutch, Grim , Germ ., Grimm ,Welsh, grem , Gaelic,
gruaim , surly, sullen, dark, having a fierce and stern look,
courageous.
GRANGER. (Saxon.) Onewho superintended a large farm
orGrange.
GRANT. On this name Playfair remarks that it may be de
rived from the Saxon , Irish, or French.
“ In the Saxon, Grant signifies crooked or bowed . Thus Cam
fies a crooked bridge, or rather a bridge upon Cam River,
or the crooked and winding river.
“ The Saxons called this town Grant Bridge, Cam in the Brit
ish, and Grant in the Saxon, being of the same signification,
crooked .
" So Mons Gramphius, the Grampian Hill, was called by the
Saxons Granz Ben , or the crooked bill, butwe can not see
how from this Saxon word the surname should be borrowed .
" In the old Irish , Grandha signifies ugly, ill-favored . Grande
signifies dark or swarthy. Grant and Ciar signify much
the same thing, or are synonymous words, and there being
a tribe of the Grants called Clan Chiaran , it is the same as
Clan Grant. Thus the surname might have been taken
from a progenitor that was Chiar or Grant,that is to say, a
swarthy or gray -headed man , and, though , in time, Grant
became the common and prevailing surname, yet some al
ways retained the other name, Chiaran , and are called Clan
Chiaran . In the French Grand signifies great, brave, val
orous, and from thence many are inclined to think that
the surname Grant is taken from Grand, which in the
Irish is sounded short, and thereby the letter d at the
end of the word is changed into t, and thus Grand into
146 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
Grant. The surname, it seems, was thus understood in
England about five hundred years ago, for Richard Grant
was made Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1229, and
is, in Mr. Anderson 's Genealogical Tables, as well as by
others, expressly called Richard Grant. But the English
historians of that time, writing in Latin , call him Richardus
Magnus, which plainly shows that they took Grant to be
the same with the French Grand , and the Latin Magnus.
To which let us add, that in the old writs, the article the
is put before the surname Grant."
GRANVILLE . Local. (Fr.) A town in France on the Eng
lish channel, Grande-ville — the great town or city. De
Grandville.
GRASSE . Local. From Grasse,a town in Piedmont, France.
De Grasse.
GRAY. Local. A town in Burgundy, France, on the banks
of the Saone. Rollo, Chamberlain to Robert, Duke ofNor - .
mandy, received from him the castle and honor of Croy, in
Picardy, whence his family assumed the name of De Croy,
afterward changed into De Gray.
GREELY. Local. Probably the same as Grelley or De Grel
ley, from Greilly , in France. Leland, in his Roll of Battel
Abbey, includes this name with those who came into Eng- ·
land with William the Conqueror. Grele, French, slender,
slim , delioate.
GREENOUGH and GREENO . Local. The green hill.
GREER. A corruption of Gregor. Gilbert McGregor, second
son of Malcom , Laird ofMcGregor, who settled at Nithes
dale , Dumfries Co., Scotland, in 1374, left issue, who as
sumed the short appellation of Greer. Welsh, Grewr, a
herdsman.
GREGOR. (Gaelic.) From Greigh a herd (Latin Grex ), and
fear a man , a herdsman. In the Cornish British Gryger or
Gruger signifies a partridge.
 OF FAMILY NAMES.
OF FAMILY NAMES . 147
GREGORY . From the Greek Ipńyopos, watchfu. It may
be derived from Gregor, as some of the Clan M 'Gregor
changed their name to Gregory, when the clan was pro
scribed and outlawed.
GREIG . (Welsh.) From Cryg,hoarse.
GREY. See Gray.
GREW . (Br. and Welsh.) A crane.
GRIER. A contraction of Gregor, the same as Greer (which
see ) .
GRIERSON . The son of Greer or Gregor ; the same as
McGregor. .. .
GRIFFIN . A name given to a noted man , whose qualities or
disposition, in some respects, resembled this fabulous crea
ture. Griffwn, in Welsh , is applied to a man having a
crooked nose, like a hawk's bill. Gryffyn , in the Cornish
British, signifies " to give.” It may be the same as Griffith .
GRIFFITH . (Welsh and Cor. Br.) One who has strong
faith , from Cryf, Welsh , strong, and ffyd, faith .
GRIMSBY. Local. A borough in Lincolnshire, England, on
the Humber, so named from the appearance of the place or
the character of the people. Grim , Saxon , fierce, rough,
ugly , and by, a town — or the village or town of Grimm , the
owner or founder.
GRINELL. (Fr.) Local. From Grenelle, a town in France.
GRISSELL. Grisyl; in the Cor. Br., signifies sharp, keen ;
Griis or Grys, in the Dutch , is gray ; grissel, gray-haired .
Grizzle is the old familiar abbreviation of the nameGriselda.
GROESBECK . (Dutch.) Local. Derived from the town of
Groesbeck in Holland, so called from Groot; great, and beck,
a brook ,
GROOT or GROAT. (Dutch.) Local. Large, great, the
greatman. Groot is also a name of a town in Holland,
whence the surname may be derived — the great town,
De Groot.
148 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
GROSCUP. (Ger.) From - gross, big, and kopf, nead - big
head .
GROSVENOR . A great hunter or the grand huntsman, from
sumed the name from holding the office of grand huntsman
to the Dukes of Normandy.
GROVER . Groover, Graver, one who carves or engraves.
GUELPH. A wolf; the surname of the present Royal Family .
of England. We have the following amusing tradition of
the origin of the royalhouse of Guelph :
“ It is told in the chronicles that as far back as the days of
Charlemagne, one Count Isenbrand, who resided near the
Lake of Constance, met an old woman who had given birth
to three children at once, a circumstance which appeared to
him so portentous and unnatural that he assailed her with a

the Count, and wished that his wife, then enciente, might
bring at a birth as many children as there are months in
the year. The imprecation was fulfilled, and the countess
became the mother of a dozen babes at once. Dreading the
vengeance of her severe lord , she bade her maid go drown
eleven of the twelve. But whom should the girl meet while
on this horrible errand but the Count himself, who, suspect
ing that all was not right, demanded to know the contents
of the basket. Welfen,' was the intrepid reply (ĉ. e., the
old German term for puppies or young wolves). Dissatis
fied with this explanation, the Count lifted up the cloth, and
found under it eleven bonny infants nestled together. Their
unblemished formsreconciled the scrupulous knight, and he
resolved to recognize them as his lawful progeny. Thence
forward , their children and their descendants went by the
name of Guelph or Welf.”
GUEY. Welsh , Gwiw , good, excellent
GUIAR. (Spanish .) A guide.
GUIOT. The son ofGuy; a guide.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. . 149

GUISCHARD or GUISCARD. (Nor.) A wily or crafty man ,

a shifter.
GUNTER . Supposed to be the same as Ingulphus,from In
and golpe, Belgic, to swallow down, to devour. The
name may be local, and given to a native of Gaunt or
Ghent.
GUNN orGOON . (Br.) Local. From Gun, a plain, a down
or common ; Welsh, gwaen.
“ A person whose namewas Gunn complained to a friend that
hiš attorney, in his bill, had not let him off easily . That's
no wonder,' said his friend, - as he charged you too high !'
But this is not so good as an entry in the custom -house
' books of Edinburgh, where it appears that ' A,' meaning
Alexander — A . Gunn was discharged for making a false
report ? " - LOWER.
Lower also tells us of a German named Feuerstein (fire-stone
the German for flint) who settled in the West when the
French population prevailed in that quarter. His name,
therefore, was changed into French Pierre à Fusil, but in
the course of time, the Anglo - American race became the
prevalent one, and Pierre à Fusil was again changed into
Peter Gun.
GUNNING. Belonging to Gunn, the son of Gunn.
GUNSALUS. Goncalez, the son of Goncale, the supposed
founder of Castile. Gonzales, Spanish ; Gonsalves (Port.),
consolation, in safety, in salvation.
GURDIN . (Welsh.) A strong man, from gwrdd, strong, and
dyn, a man ; also, gwyrdd -din , the green hill or inclosure.
GURNEY. Local. From the town of Gournay, in Nor
mandy.
GURR . Gur, in Welsh, signifies a man or husband.
GUTHRIE . Warlike, powerful in war, from guth, Saxon, war.
Guthmor,Gaelic, loud-voiced. Guthrie,a town in Scotland.
Gutric, Gotric, Gotricus, rich in goodness, rich in God.
160 : ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
GUY. A term given in Gaul to the mistletoe, or cure-all; also
a guide, a leader or director, from Guia , Sp. and Port.
GWYNNE, GUINEE, and WINNE. (Welsh.) From Gwyn,
white.
GY. Local. A town of France. Gye, to guide.

ĶACKER. (Dutch.) A chopper, a cleaver, hewer; figura

tively, a brave soldier. · Danish, Hakker, to cut in pieces, to
chop, to hoe. Hekker, a hedge, from hekke, a hedge, á pro
tection, place of security.
HADLEY. Local. A town of Suffolk , and also of Esses,
England, from houdt, a wood, and ley ,a place or field.
HAFF. (Ger.) A sea ,bay, or gulf; in Cor. Br., Haf, summer.
Hof, Ger., a court ; Hoff, Welsh , dear, beloved.
HAGADORN. (Dutch.) Local. Hawthorn.
HAGAR . Hagar, Hebrew , a stranger ; one fearing. Hygar,
in the Welsh, is amiable, pleasing. Hegar, Cor. Br., lovely;
also, a bondman , a slave. 'Aigher, Gaelic, gladness, joy ,
mirth .
HAINEAU. Local. From Haineau, a city of Hesse Cassel,
Germany.
HAINES or HAYNES. Camden derives the name from Ain
ulph, and that from Ana, alone, and ulph, Sax., help, that is
one who needs not the assistance of others. Haine, à river
in Belgium . Haine, Fr., signifies malicious, full of hatred.
Hain , German, a wood, forest, thicket, grove.
HAINSWORTH and HAYNSWORTH . (Anglo -Saxon.)
Local. The farm or place in the forest or grove, from haine,
German and Saxon, a wood, and worth , a place inclosed,
cultivated. British and Welsh, the estate on the river. .
HALDEN. Local. A contraction of Haledon, a place in
Northumberland, England, from the Saxon halig, holy , and
dun, a hill ; a place where Oswald got the victory of Cad
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 151
wallader, the Briton , and from this circumstance was called
the Holy Hill, and also the Heavenly Field .
HALE, HAYLE, or HAL. (Welsh.). A moor; also, Hayle, a
salt-water river.
HALES. Local. From a village in Gloucestershire,and also a
town in Norfolk , England. In Çor. Br., it signifies low ,
level lands washed by a river or the sea ; a moor. Playfair
says, “ The word Hales is a compound onė, being formed of
the Saxon Hale or Heile, strong, healthy, and ley, etc.
Others derive it from Halig, Saxon, holy.
HALIFAX. (Sax.) Local. From the city of Halifax, in York
shire, England, so called from Halig , holy , and faex , hair
holy hair; . from the sacred hair of a certain virgin whom a
clerk beheaded because she would not comply with his de
sires. She was afterward canonized. From this circum
stance, the village was also called Horton, from Haer, Sax.,
hair, and ton, a town.
HALKETT. The name of Halkett, in the writs of the family ,
is promiscuously written “ de Hawkhead” and “ de Halkett."
It is territorial or local, and was assumed by the proprietor
of the lands and barony of Hawkshead, in Renfrewshire, as
soon as surnames became hereditary in Scotland.
HALLAM . From Hall, Welsh, salt, and ham , a house or vil
lage, from its manufacture in that place, or being situated
near the salt water. It may be derived from Hal or Hayle,
a moor, and ham ,— the house on the moor. Halham , the
house on the hill, from Hal, Cornish British , a hill.
HALLER. (Ger.) From Haller , a man belonging to a salt
work .
HALLETT. Little Hal, or Henry , the diminutive.termination
ett being added , as Willett, Ellett.
HALLIDAY. “ Holy -day.” It is said this name had its ori
gin in the Slogan, or war-cry of a Gaelic clan residing in
Annandale ,who made frequent raids on the English border.
On these occasions they employed the war-cry of " A holy
 152 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
day,” every day, in their estimation, being holy, that was
spent in ravaging the enemy's country.
HALLOWELL. Holy well.
HALPEN . (Welsh .) The head of the moor or salt river.
Gaelic, Alpin , the highest land, peak of a mountain , from
· Alp and ben ..
HALSE. Local (Dutch .) Hals, the neck, a narrow tract of
· land, projecting from the main body.
HALSEY. Local. From Hals, and ey or ig, Saxon, an island,
water, the sea; the neck on the water, or running into the
sea. The island neck .
HALSTEAD. Local. A town in Essex , England, from Hals,
as given above, and sted,a place. Holsted , a town in North
Jutland, that is, the low place ; Hol, Dutch, hollow , and stead,
a place : a house or town in a hollow place.
HAM . Local. A house, borough, or village, the termination
ofmany names of places in England ;German , heim , a home;
France.
HAMILTON. Originally Hambleton , from the manor of Ham
bleton, in Buckinghamshire. William , third son of Robert, .
third Earl of Leicester, took that surname from the place of
his birth, as above. He was the founder of the family of ·
that name in Scotland, whither he went about the year
1215 . The name is derived from Hamell, a mansion , the
seat of a freeholder, and dun, an enclosure, a fortified place,
a town. -
HAMLIN . Local. A corruption of Hammeline, which was
taken from Hamelen, a town on the river Weser, Germany.
Hamelin, a town in Scotland, so called from Ham , a house
or village, and lin , a waterfall, a small lake or pond.
HAMMEL. (Armoric.) A house , a close, a place of rest, a
home. Hamle, a river in Brunswick , Germany.
HAMMOND. Ham -mount,the town or house on the eleva
tion. It may come from Hamon .
 OF FAMILY NAMRS. . 153
HAMON . (Heb.) Faithful.
HAMPTON . Local. The town on the hill; a village in Mid
dlesex, England.
HANNA. Local. From Hanan, a strong city in Hesse Cassel,
Germany. Hana, Saxon,a cock ; figuratively, a leader, a
chief man .
HANDEL. (Danish.) Trade, commerce ; to trade, traffic ;
handel, Dutch , traffic, commerce, mechanic art, profession,
business, or employment.
HANDSEL. (Danish.) To deliver into the hand. An earnest
money for the first sale. A New Year's gift.
HANFORD. Local. (Welsh.) From hen , old, and ford, a
way ; " the old way.”
HANHAM . (Welsh.) Fen , old, and Saxon, ham , a town ;
that is, the old town.
HANKS. A nurse -name, or an abbreviation of John , the " 3 "
being added for “ son ;" so “ Sims,” and “ Gibbs,” etc. .
HANLEY. Local. From the town of Hanley, in Shropshire.
The old place or field, from Hen or Han , old , and ley , a
place, a common .
HANSEL. Local. (Saxon.) A free market or hall, from haunse
or hanse,a society, hansa , Gothic, a multitude, and sel,a hal. .
HANSON. The son of Hans or John, same as Johnson.
Bailey derives it from Han, the diminutive of Randall, the
son of Randall.
HANWAY. A native of Hainault, which country was called
Hanway, in the time of Henry VIII.
HARCOURT. Local. From the lordship of Harcourt, in
Normandy. Far, from Saxon Here, an army, and court.
HARDING . Local. Har, from here, an army, ard ing, a
meadow or common . The place where an army was·
encamped .
154 · ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
HARDÝ. (Fr.) Bold, free, noble.
HARGILL . Local. Hartgill,a small river in Engla: d. “ The
deer-brook .”
HARGRAVE. Saxon. The provider or commissary of an
army, from Here or Har, an army, and grave, a steward or
disposer.
HARLEY, HARLEIGH , and HARLOW . Local. From a
town in Essex, England ; the place of the army. From
Here, Saxon, an army, and ley, a place, a field .
HARMAN, says Verstegan, “ should rightly be Heartman, to
wit, a man of heart and courage." Probably the same as
Herman, from Here, an army, and man, a soldier.
HAROLD. In old Anglo Saxon, signifies “ The love of the
army." From Har,an army, and hold,love. :
HARRINGTON. Local. From the parish of Harrington, in
Cumberland, corrupted from Haverington , so called from
Haver, Dutch, Haber, Teut., oats, ing, a field , and ton . The
town in or surrounded by oat fields.
HARRIS, HARRISON , and HERRIES. The son of Henry .
HARROWER . The subduer ; from the French harrier, to
harrass; — and this, perhaps, from the Anglo Saxon , hergian ,
to conquer or subdue ; - one who harrows the ground.
HARTFIELD . Local. The deer field . .
HARTGILL. Same as Hargill (which see). ..
HARTSHORN . The horn of the hart or male deer ; an em - .
blem or sign over a shop or inn, whence the name, “ Will at
the Hartshorn."
HARTWELL. Local. From a village in Buckingham , Eng
land, noted for being some years the residence of Louis
XVIII. The well or spring frequented by deer.
HARVEY. (Sax.) From here, an army, and wic, a fort.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 155
HASBROUCK . Local. Derived from the townof Hazebrouck,
in the province of Artois, France .
HASCALL or HASKELL. (Welsh .). From hasg, a place of
rushes, or sedgy place, and hall or hayle, a moor. “ The
sedgy place.” Asgall, in the Gaelic, signifies a sheltered
place, a retreat, and with the addition of the aspirate “ H ,”
might make the name.
HASWELL. (Dutch or Germ .) Hasveldt, from Hase, a river
in Westphalia, and veldt, a field, corrupted into well; or
from Wald , German , a wood or forest, — the forest on the
Hase. The name may also signify the misty place, or the
Wild or field of hares, from Haas, Dutch, a hare.
HASTINGS. Local. Derived from the borough of Hastings,
in Sussex, England, which is memorable for the landing of
William the Conqueror, and defeat and death of Harold II.,
in 1066 .
Camden derives this name from one Hastings, a Dane, a great
derives it from the Saxon haeste, heat, because of the bub
bling or boiling of the sea in that place ; but as haste applies
rather to voluntary beings, as men and other animals, the
name more correctly signifies one who hurries, presses,
drives ; vehemency, quickness of motion.
HATCH. Local. A kind of door or floodgate. These ancient
stops or hatches consisted of sundry great stakes and piles
erected by fishermen in the river Thames or other streams,
for their better convenience of securing fish . Also, a term
for gates leading to deer -parks or forests. .
HATHAWAY. Local Derived from Port Haetzwy, in
Wales.
HATFIELD . Local. From a town in Hertfordshire also in
Essex and Yorkshire, England. Bailey says it is from Hat,
hot, Sax., and field — from the hot sandy soil. Houtfield , the
156 ETYMOLOGICAL - ICTIONARY
field in the wood, from hout, Dutch, a wood. Perhaps the
same as Heathfield.
HATHORN . Local. A dwelling near hawthorns.
HATTON. Local. A town in Warwickshire, England. The
town on the height; haut, Fr., high. Haughton , the town
in the meadow or vale . Houdt-ton, Dutch , the town in the
wood . Shortly after the Conquest, Hugh Montfort's second
son, Richard, being Lord of Hatton in Warwickshire, took
the name of Hatton.
HAUGH. Local. A little meadow lying in a valley .
HAVEMEYER . (Danish and Dutch.) A garden -master.
HAVENS. From Haven , a harbor,
HAVERILL . Local. Derived from the town of Haverill, in
Suffolk , England, so named from the Dutch Haver ; Teut.,
Haber, oats, and hill.
HAW and HAWES. (Sax.) Haeg, a small inclosure near a
house, a haugh, a close. The name of a town in England. -
HAWLEY. From Haw , a hedge, Saxon, haeg, a small piece
of ground near a house, a close, a place where hawthorns
grow , and ley, a field or meadow .
HAY. A hedge,an inclosure,to inclose, fence in ,a protection,
a place of safety . In Dutch , Haag ; Sax., Hege ; Ger.,
Heck ; Danish , Hekke; Swedish , Hagn ; Fr., Haie; Welsh ,
Cae ; Gaelic, Ca ; Cor. Br., Hay.
*'In the reign of Kenneth III. (says Douglass), about 980, the
Danes having invaded Scotland, were encountered by that
king, near Loncarty, in Perthshire. The Scots at first gave
way, and fled through a narrow pass, where they were
stoppel
stopped by a countryman of great strength and courage,and
his two sons, with no other weapons than the yokes of their
plows. Upbraiding the fugitives for their cowardice, he
succeeded in rallying them ; the battle was renewed, and
the Danes totally discomfited. It is said, that after the
victory was obtained, the old man, lying on the ground
 OF FAMILI NAMES. 157
wounded and fatigued, cried 'Hay, Hay,'which word be
came the surname of his posterity. The king, as a reward
for that signal service, gave him as much land in the Carse
of,Gowrie as a falcon should fly over before it settled ; and
a falcon being accordingly let off, flew over an extent of
ground six miles in length , afterward called Errol, and
lighted.on a stone still called Falconstone or Hawkstone." .
HAYCOCK . A name probably given to a foundling exposed
in a hayfield.
HAYDEN and HAYDYN. Local. Heyden, a town of Den
mark ; a place built, made, inclosed , or cultivated , from
daane, Danish , to form , to fashion, to makę, cultivate.
HAYFORD. Hay , an inclosure, and ford ,a way — the road or
way inclosed , or the way through the inclosure or park .
HAYMAN . (Sax.) A high man, or may be the same as
Hayward (which see).
HAYNE or HAYNES. (See Haine.)
HAYNER. (Ger.) From Hech or Hohe, high, and narr, a
fool, a jester,a merry fellow,king's fool. Perhaps, likeGeorge
Buchanan, who was so called , a wise and learned man.
HAYNSWORTH . (See Hainsworth.)
HAYWARD. Anciently in England the keeper of the com
mon herd or cattle of a town, from the Saxon hieg, hay, and
ward, a keeper.
HAZARD. (Br.) From ard, nature,and has, high - of high
disposition, proud, independent. :
HAZELRIGG. Local. The hazel-ridge.
HAZELWOOD . Local. A wood where hazel-nuts grow .
HAZEN or HASEN . (Dan .) A hare.
HEAD. Anciently written Hede or 'Hide. Probably from the
place written Hedė or Hide in Doomsday Book, now Hithe,
in Kent, England, where the earliest traces of the Head
family are found. From the Anglo -Saxon Hithe, a harbor,
a shelter for boats.
158 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
HEATON . (Saxon.) Local. The high town or hill, from
Hea, high; and ton . ,
HEBER. (Heb .) Derived either from Heber, one of the an
cestors of Abraham , or from the Hebrew word eber, which
signifies " from the other side,” that is, foreigners.
HECKER. (Dan.) Hekker,a hedger, from hekke,a hedge,a
protection .
HEDD. (Welsh.) Peace ; haidd ,barley.
HEDGES. Local. A fence of thorn -bushes; a thicket of
shrubs ; an inclosure of shrubs or small trees.
HEDON . Local. From a town in England of the samename
- the high town.
HELLIER or HILLIER. In the dialect of Dorsetshire, Eng
land, signifies a thatcher or tiler.
HELLING. Local. Hellan , in theWelsh, signifies the elms
the place of elms. Helling, in the Dutch ,means a slope or
declivity.
HELMER or ELMER. Contracted from Ethelmer, noble, re
nowned. Holmer, the low , shallow pond or lake, from Hol,
Sax., low , and mer, a pond. Halemer, Cor. Br., the lake in
themoor, or the salt water. -
HENDERSON. The son of Hendrik or Henry.
HENLEY. Local. From a market-town in Oxfordshire, also
a town in Warwickshire, England. From Hen , old , and ley ,
a field or common .
HENRY. Verstegan derives this name from Einrick, ever
rich ; others from Herrick , rich lord or master ; Camden,
from the Latin Honoricus, honorable. Kilian writes it
Heynrick — Heymrick , i.e., rich at home.
HERBERT. (Sax.) From Here, a soldier, and beorht,bright ·
- an expert soldier, or the glory of an army; famous in
war.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 159
HERIOT. A provider of furniture for an army. A fine paid
to a lord at the death of a landlord .
HERISSON . Local. From a town by that name in France.
HERMAN . (Sax.) From Here, an army, and man. A man
of the army ; a soldier. Here and Hare signify both an
army and lord.
HERMANCE. (Germ .) A ruler. Heermensch , Dutch , a
master, from Heer, a master, lord, or ruler, and mensch, a
man .

HERNDON. Local. From Herne, a cottage, and den , a val

ley. The cottage in the valley.
HERNE. May come from the Saxon Hern, a cottage.
HERNSHAW . Local. From hern ,a kind of fowl,a hern ,and
shaw , a shady inclosure, a place where herns breed .
HERON. (Welsh.). A hero.
HERR. (German.) Sire, lord,master. .
HERRICK. The same as Erick or Erricks (which see).
HERRING . Hirring, a town in the Diocese of Alburg , Den
mark .
HERSEY. Local. From Herseaux, in the Netherlands.
HEYDEN . Local. From a town in Westphalia , also a town
of the same name in South Jutland, Denmark .
HEYMAN or HAYMAN. (Sax.) A high man.
HEWER , HUER, and EUER . A person stationed on the .
sea-shore , to watch and notify the fishermen of the shoals
of fish ; from the Saxon, Earian, to show .
HEWIT . The son of Hugh.
HIBBARD. Sameas Hubbard and Hubert (which see).
HICCOCK . The son of Hig or Hugh ; cock signifying little,
6* .
 160 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
little Hig. It may be a corruption of Haycock (which
see).
HICKS. Hig (s) or Hick(s). The son of Hugh. Hig or Hick
being a common nick-name for Hugh. Hick ,in the Dutch ,
signifies a simpleton . .
HICKEY. The Huicci, Gwychi, a word signifying valiant
· men , anciently possessed Wårwickshire, Worcestershire, and
a part of Gloucestershire, England.
HIERNE. (Dan.) Local. An angle, a corner.
' HIGGINBOTTOM . A corruption of the German name, Ick
enbaum , that is, oak -tree,
HIGGINS. Little Hig or Hugh; the son of Hugh ; from Hig ,
and the patronymic termination ings; belonging to, or the
son of.
HILDYARD and HILYARD. Anciently Hildheard . Hild , in
Saxon , is a hero or heroine, as Hildebert, illustrious hero ,
and heard, in the same language, a pastor or keeper.
· HINCKLEY. Local. From Hinckley, a town in Leicester
shire, England.
HINDMAN and HINMAN . A domestic, a servant ; one who
has the care of herds.
HINDON or HINTON. Local. A borough in Wiltshire,
England. Welsh , Henton , the old town, from Hen , old .
HIPPISLEY. Local. From the Saxon Hiope, a hip-berry,
or wood-rose, and ley, a field.
HIPWOOD. Local. The wood where sweet-briars or roses
· grow .
HITCHENS. Local ' A town in Hertfordshire, England.
HOAG . (Welsh .) Low in stature, small.
HOARE. White, hoar, gray.
HOBART. The same as Hubert (which see).
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 161

HOBBY. (Dan.) Local. From hob, a herd , and by, a town ;

the town of herds or flocks.
HOBKINS. From Hob, Robert, and the patronymic termina
tion kins ; the same as Robertson or Hobson.

HODD. From the Dutch Houdt, a wood; the sameas Hood.

HODGE. The same as Roger,which signifies quiet or strong
counsel. .
HODGES. From Hodge, a nick -name of Röger, the " s" being
HODGEKINS. From Hodge, as above, and the patronymic
termination kins; — changed now to Hotchkiss.
HODSON. The son of Hod or Hodge.
HOE. (Welsh.) A state of rest, a stay ; ease, quiet. Hoh ,
Saxon, the heel. Local, Haut, Fr., high, the top, summit, ,
noisy , proud, haughty.
HOFF. (Danish and Dutch.) A court, residence, palace,
HOFFMAN . (Dutch.) From Hoofdman,a captain ,a director,
head or chief man . Hofman, from Hof, a court — the man
of the court.
HOGAN. In the Cornish,mortal, in the Gaelic, a young man,
from " Og,” young. Hogyn, Welsh, a stripling.
HOGARTH. (Dutch.) From hoogh, high, and aerd,nature
or disposition.
HOGG . Sameas Hoag (which see).
HOGGEL. From the Norman, Hugel, a hill.
HOLBECH. Local. A place in the county of Lincoln, Eng
land ; the low brook , or the brook in the ravine or hollow .
Holzbeck, the brook in the wood .
HOLCOMBE , or HOLTCOMBE. Local. (Saxon .) A woody
vale, from Holt or Hultz, a wood, and combe, a valley .
 162 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

HOLDEN . (Danish.) Safe, entire, wealthy; a safe place

held , protected, defended.
HOLLAND. Local. A name given to a native of that coun
try, which was so called from Hollow -land, because it
abounds with ditches full of water. Bailey is of opinion that
the Danes who conquered Holland, so called it from an
island in the Baltic of the same name, from ol, beer, drink.
Why not from Hold land, the land taken and kept, held,
governed ? . .
HOLLENBECK . From Hollenbach a town on the Rhine,
Germany.
HOLMAN. A corruption of Allemand, a German, that is, a
mixture of all men, Alle-mann.
HOLME and HOLMES. Local. Meadow lands near or sur
rounded by water, grassy plains ; sometimes an island. .
HOLSAPPLE . Local. From Holz, German, a wood, an
apple, or apfel, an orchard ; apple-trees in or near a wood. "
HOLT. Local. - A-"small-hanging wood, from Hultz, Dutch,
a wood ; a peaked hill coyered with wood ; a grove of
trees around a house .
HOLYWELL. Local. A place of importance in Flintshire,
Wales. Geraldus Cambrensis says that there was for
merly near this place a rich mine of silver. Wenefride's
Well, from which the name of Holy Well was given to this
place, springs from a rock at the foot of a steep hill. The
well is an oblong square about twelve feet by seven.
HOME and HUME. Sameas Holmes (which see).
HOMER. Greek ," Oumpos, a hostage, a pledge or security.
HONE. Welsh. Hoen ,joy . Honan , the son of Hone.
HOMFRAY. From the French Homme-vrai, a trueman .
HOOD. (Sax.) Local From houdt,the wood.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 163
HOOGABOOM . (Dutch.) High-tree, from Hoog, bigh, and
boom , tree, either local or expressive of stature.
HOOPER. A cooper.
HOOGSTRATEN . (Dutch.) Local. High -street. .
HOPE . Local. The side of a hill, or low ground between
hills.
HOPKINS. Little Robert, or the child of Robert. The same
as Hobkins (which see). . .
HOPPER. (Sax.) Hoppere,a dancer.
HORE. Hoar, white, gray. Horr, Local a ravine.
HORNBLOWER. A musician , one that blowsa horn .
HORTON . Local. A town in Yorkshire England — the hor
rible town, or the town in the ravine, from Horr, a ravine.
HOSFORD. Local. From Ouseford, in England, the " 0 "
being aspirated — that is, the ford or way of the river Ouse.
HOSKINS or HASKINS. (Cor. Br.) From Heschen or Hos
kyn , the place of rushes, the sedgy place.
HOTCHKISS. The sameas Hodgkins (which see).
HOTHAM . Assumed from the place of residence , Hotham in
Yorkshire ,probably derived from the Saxon word Hod, a hood
or covering, and ham , a house , farm , or village, or a piece
of ground near a house or village, both of which terms are
place at or near a wood, from the Dutch Hout, a wood.
HOUGH. Local. A place so named in the county of Lincoln ,
England. Saxon and Dutch, Hoch, Hoog, and How , high.
HOUGHTAILING . (Dutch ) From Hoofd, head or chief,
and telling, counting or telling, that is, head clerk or account

haife, a pile, a lump ; dell, to pay, give over. Sax., daelan ;

 164 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
HOUGHTON . Local. A town in Lancashire, England. -
: Sax., from hoog, or hoch, high, and ton , a hill, castle, or
town.
HOUSE. A covering,a dwelling place, a mansion.
HOUSTON . Local. From the parish of Houston, in Renfrew
shire, Scotland . There is an old tradition, that in the reign
of Malcolm IV., A.D. 1153, Hugh Padvinan obtained a grant
of the barony of Kilpeter, from Baldwin of Biggar, sheriff
of Lanark, and hence called Hughstown, corrupted into
Houstoun. These Houstons were of great consideration in
Renfrewshire.
HOWARD . William , son of Roger Fitz Valevine, took the
name of Howard from being born in the Castle of Howard ,
in Wales, in the time of Henry I. Spelman derives How
ard from Hof-ward , the keeper of a hall ; Vestegan, from
Hold -ward, the keeper of a stronghold ; Camden , from
Hoch-ward, the high keeper.
HOWE or HQO . A high place, a hill; critically , a hill in a •
valley. De La Howe, “ from the hill,” was originally the
· name of the family. They came to England with William
the Conqueror. (See Athill.)
HOWELL. (Cor. Br.) From Houl, the gun ; Greek, "H2 os,
Euhill, high, exalted . .
HOWLETT. A night-bird , an owl.
HUBAND. Anciently Hubaude, from Hugh , and baude,bold
· bold Hugh .
HUBBARD. (Anglo-Saxon.) A corruption of Hubert, é. Bag
bright form , fair hope.
HUBBELL. Local. From Hubba, a Danish chief, and hill
Hubba's-bill or Hubhill. Hub means a heap or a lump, and
may indicate a small round hill on the summit of another.
HUBERT. Bright form , fair hope; Saxon, hiewe, color, form ,
beauty , and beort, bright.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 165
HUCKSTEP. A corruption of De Hoghstepe " from the high
steep .”
HUDDLESTON . Local. From a small parish by that name
in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
HUDSON. The son of Hod or Roger.
HUGET. Little Hugh, the son of Hugh.
HUGGINS. The same as Higgins, from Hug, the nickname
for Hugh, and the patronymic termination ings, belonging
to, or the son of.
HUGHES. The son of Hugh. Aventinus derives Hugh from ·
Hougen , that is, slasher or cutter. Alfred , in the year 900,
used Hugh to denote comfort. Hugh in the Gaelic, is
Aoidh, which signifies affability , a guest, a stranger. Hu
suggests the idea of elevation ; Ho, Hu, highness.
HULET or HOWLET. A small owl. Heulaidd, Welsh, sun
like; heuledd, sunshine.
HULL . Local. From the city of Hull, in Yorkshire, England,
which comes from the Teutonic or Saxon Hulen or Heulen ,
to howl, from the noise the river Hull makes when itmeets
there with the sea. Hull is an old word for a hill; Hull,
Welsh, a rough , uneven place.
The city of Hull was anciently famous for its good government,
whence arose this old saying, called the Beggars' and Va
grants’ Litany :
" From Hell, Hull, and Halifax,
. Good Lord deliver us!”
From Hull, because of the severe chastisement they met
with there, and from Halifax, for a law there instantly be
heading with an engine, without any legal proceedings,
those who were taken in the act of stealing cloth -weither
being probably more terrible than Hell itself.
HULSE . From the town and manor of Hulse, in Great Bud
worth, Cheshire, England. Holtz,Ger., a wood.
166 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
HUMPHREY. (Anglo -Saxon.) From Humfred , that is,
house-peace - a lovely and happy name.
HUNGERFORD. Local. A market-town in Berkshire, Eng
land, on the Kennet. Hunger's pass or way, so called from
Hunger, a celebrated Danish leader who invaded England.
HUNN. A native of Hungary, or from the German Hune, a
giant; a Scythian.
HUNT or HONT. It occurs in Chaucer for huntsman .
HUNTINGTON . (Sax.) Hunter's-don , the mount of hunters ;
the name of a shire and town in England.
HUNTLEY. Local. A town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland ; the
hunting field .
HURD. (Welsh ) From Hurdh,a ram ,
HURST. (Saxon.) Local. A wood, a grove; fruit-bearing
trees.
HUSTED. Local. Hus, Sax.,a house, and sted,a fixed place. .
HUTCHINS. The child of Hugh. (See Hitchins.)
HUTCHINSON. The son of Hitchins or Hutchins.
HUTTON . Local. A town in England ; the high town.
Camden defines the name to signify a mutineer. Hutain,in
French, is haughty, proud.
HYDE. Local. A farm ; asmuch land as can be cultivated
with one plow ; a town of Cheshire, England. Hyd , or
Hithe, a landing place, a haven, harbor.

IDE. The same as Hide or Hyde (which see), the " H " being
dropped in the pronunciation. Iden, a small town in Eng
· land.
ILSLEY. Local. Isle's-ley , the place on the island.
INCLEDON. Local. ' Ingleton , the beacon hill, the fire-hill,
or bill of alarm , so named from an ancient custom of kind .
ling a fire on an eminence, as a signal of invasion or danger.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 167
INGE. Ing, Saxon, a pasture, a meadow or watering place,
low ground. Danish , Eng, a meadow , meadow ground,
pasture; a place near a river. Welsh , Ing, narrow , a strait.
INGLEBY or INGOLDSBY. Local. Inglesby, the town of
the English , or Angles; perhaps the town was first named
at the time the Angles first invaded Britain . Ing-gil-by,
Saxon, the town near the brook in the narrow valley. A
town in Lincolnshire, England.
INGLIS or INGLES. The name was given in Scotland, to
distinguish the family of some English settler. The Eng
lishman. In the ancient records of the family the name
Anglicus is often mentioned.
INGHAM . Local. The town on the low ground,meadow or
pasture.
INGRAHAM or INGRAM . (Ger.) Camden derives this
name from Engelramus, from Engel, Saxon , angel, and rein ,
purity. Pure as an angel.
INNIS or INNES. The same as Ennis (which see). This
family is of great antiquity in Scotland, and derives its sur
name from the lands of Innis, a word supposed to be de
rived from the Gaelic Inch, an island, part of that barony
being an island, formed by the two branches of a stream
running through the estate.
IPRES. Local. A town in the Netherlands,and has its name
from the small river Yperlee on which it stands.
IRELAND. A name given to a native of that island. Ireland
signifies West-land, from the Gaelic Iar, the West, and the
Teutonic land, Welsh , Llan, a clear place, a lawn.
IRETON . Local. From Ireton, manor in County Derby,
England. In Gaelic, the west town or hill.
IRISH. A native of Ireland, the country from which the
nominal founder of the family came.
168 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
IRON . A name taken from the mineralkingdom .
IRVING or IRVINE. Local. From a river and town of the
samename in Ayrshire, Scotland.
ISAAC. (Heb.) Laughter.
ISHAM . Local . Isis-ham , that is, the town on the river
Isis, in Northamptonshire, England.
ISLIP . Local. A village near Oxford, England ; the name sig
nifies a place on the edge or brink of the water ; an island.

the Patriarch Jacob.

IVES. Local. From a town named St. Ives, in the county of
Huntingdon, England. . O 'Connor derives Ive from Iber, the
place of Er, the land of heroes, now pronounced Ive or Hy.
Gaelic, Ives.
IVER . (Gaelic and Welsh.) A chief or leader. Iver, Danish,
zeal, fervor ; ivre, to speak or act with zeal. Gaelic, Ian
Thor, a hero ; Welsh , eon , brave, and mawr, great.

JACK. The sameas John.

JACKSON . The son of Jack , or John .
JACOB. (Heb.) He that supplants.
JACOBSON .' The son of Jacob.
JAMES. (Heb.) The same as Jacob , he that supplants.
JAMESON or JAMIESON . The son of James.
JANES. The son of Jané.
JANEWAY. A Genoese.
JASON. (Greek .) Healing,
JEFFERS or JEFFREY. Corrupted from Geoffrey or God
frey,German , from God and fried , God's peace, or from
Gau and fried, joyful peace. This namewas borne by the
chief of the royal house of Plantagenet.
 169

JEMSE. Local. A town in Sweden.

JENKINS. From Jenks or John, and the patronymic termi
nation ings, belonging to, or son of John.
JENKINSON. The son of Jenkins.
JENKS. The same as Johns; the son of John.
JENNER. An old form for Joiner.
JENNINGS. The same as Jenkins.
JEROME. The same as Jeremiah.
JESSUP. Giuseppe, Italian ,the same as Joseph.
JETTER. (Fr.) Jéter,to overthrow ; Jouteur, a tilter, fencer,
a swordsman.
JEW . A contraction of Judah, Hebrew .
JEWELL. Joy, mirth, precious; a jewel, a precious stone; &
name expressive of fondness.
JEWETT. The little Jew , the son of a Jew ; Jouet, French,
toy, sport.
JOB. (Heb.) Sorrowful; patient. .
JOBSON. The son of Job.
JOHN. (Heb.) Gracious; God's grace. .
JOHNSON. The son of John.
JOLLIE . ((Fr.and Sax.) Full of life and mirth.
JONADAB. (Heb.). Liberal, one who acts a prince.
JONAH and JONAS. (Heb .) A dove.
JONATHAN . (Heb .) The gift ofthe Lord .
JONES. (Heb.) The same as John or Johns,and signifies
gracious.
JORDAN or JORDEN. (Heb.) The river of judgment. Jar
dain ,Gaelic, the western river, with respect to the Euphra
tes. The name is derived from its two spring-heads, Jor
and Dan .
170 . : ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
JOSEPH. (Heb.) Increasé, addition. .
JOSSELYN and JOSLIN . Local. Jocelin , a town in France.
JOY. Gladness, exhilaration of spirits; to shout, rejoice. ·
JOYCE. Joyous.
JUDD. (Heb.) From Juda, praise, confession , and signifies
the confessor of God. Jode or Jood, in the Dutch, means
Israelite, a Jew ; Jute, a native of Jutland.
JUDSON. The son of Judd.

KAUFMAN. (Ger.). A merchant,a trader.

KAVANAGH. (Celtic or Gaelic.) Coamhanach, mild, be
nevolent, merciful ; a friend, a companion. Mr. John
O 'Donovan says, that Donnell Cavanagh was so called from
having been fostered by the Coarb of St. Cavan , at Kilcavan,
in the present county ofWexford , Ireland. .
KAY. Local. In Cor. Br.,signifies a hedge, inclosure, a place
of security, a fortified place. Kai, German, is a quay, a
wharf.
KAYNARD or KINNARD. Local. (Gaelic.) From Kin
naird , a place in Perthshire, Scotland, so called from Ceann,
the head, the end, and aerd, a height or promontory, from
its high situation .
KEACH. Keech , a mass, a lump; a short, thick -setman .
KEAN. (Gaelic.) Ceann, the head, the top,a chief, a com - .
mander.
KEBBY, KIBBY. Local. (Danish.) Kiob -by, a market
town, the place of buying, from Kiob, buying,purchase, bar
gain , and by, a town. .
KEEL. Á low , flat-bottomed vessel used in the river Tyne, to
convey coals ; an inn -sign ; a harbor. Kiel, local, a town in
Denmark , a corner, wedge, a ravine.
KEELER. One who manages barges and vessels.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 171
KEEN . Bold , eager, daring ; bright,fair ; ormay be the same
as Kean.
KEESE . (Dutch .) An abbreviation of Cornelius, among the
Dutch . Keys, called Taxiaxia, were officers of justice, in

KEIGWIN . (Cor. Br.) White dog, from kei, a dog, and

gwyn,white ; figuratively, a hero.
KEITH . Local. From the parish and lands of Keith , in Banff
shire, Scotland. The name Keith is said to be derived from
the Gaelic Gaoth , wind, pronounced somewhat similarly to
Keith. The old village and kirk are called Arkeith , which
may be a corruption of the Gaelic Ard Gaoth, signifying
“ high wind,” which corresponds to its locality , which is
peculiarly exposed to gusts of wind. In some old charters,
Keith is written Gith , which still more resembles Gaith . I
think the name is derived from the Welsh Caeth, a place
surrounded , shut up, inclosed, a deep hollow , a strait. The
root of the word is the Welsh Cau, to close, to shut up.
Concerning this family , the traditional account is, that they
came from Germany in the reign of the Emperor Otho, and
from the principality of Hesse, from which they were ex
pelled in some revolution .
The first person of this family of whom our oldest historians
take notice, is Robert De Keith , to whom Malcom II., King
of Scotland, gave the barony of Keith, in East Lothian , as a
reward for killing Camus, a Danish general, who then in
yaded Scotland with a numerous army. The battle was
fought at Barry, seven miles from Dundee,where an obelisk,
called Camus' stone, still preserves the memory of the vic
tory, and it is said the king, dipping his three fingers in the
blood of the general, stroked them along the field of the
Scotch champion's shield, to whom , besides the landedes
tate before mentioned, he gave the dignity of Great Mar
shal of Scotland.
172 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY .
KELLOGG. From Chelioc, or Kulliag (Cor. Br.), a cock , coil
each, in Gaelic, and ceiliog, in Welsh , the C having the sound
of K .
KELLY. (Gaelic and Welsh .) A grove, generally of hazel.
Kill or Cille, in the Gaelic and Celtic, denotes a church .
KELSO . Local. Derived from the town of Kelso , in Rox
burghshire, Scotland. Kelso was originally written Cal
chow , a corruption of Chalkheugh, the chalk-hill.
KELSEY . Local. A town in Lincolnshire, England. Kelsey ,
in Cornish British , signifies the “ dry neck," from Kel, a neck,
and syck, dry.
KEMBLE or KIMBLE. The same as Campbell,ofwhich it is
a corruption.
KEMP. In old English, a soldier, one who engaged in single
combat.
The name Kemp is derived from the Saxon word to kemp, or.
combat,which in Norfolk is retained to this day ; a foot-ball
match being called a camping or kemping ; and thus in
Saxon a Kemper signifies a combatant, a champion, a man
at-arms. In some parts of Scotland the striving of reapers
in the harvest-field is still called kemping.
KEMPENFELT. Local. The camping or kemping-field.
KEMPHALL and KEMPSHALL. The soldiers' quarters.
KEMPSTER. From the Dutch kampen , to fight, or kamper,
a champion .
KEMPTON . The camp town ; place of the army.
KEMYSS. (Gaelic.) Camus, “ nez retroussé," a person whose
nose is turned upwards; crooked, from cam ,Gaelic, crooked,
not straight. .
KENNAN . Gaelic, Ceanann or Ceanfhionn, white-headed,
bald .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 178
KENDALL. Local. Derived from the town of Kendal, in
Westmoreland, England, and was so called from the river
Ken , on which it is situated, and dale ; the dale on the river
Ken .
KENDRICK . From the Saxon Kenrick, from Kennen , to
know , and ric, rich rich in knowledge. Bailey derives
this name from cene, bold, and rick , a kingdom — à valiant
ruler.
KENNARD. (Gaelic.) From Ceannard, a chief, a chieftain ,
a leader,a commander-in -chief, from Ceann,head, chief,and
Ard, high, lofty.
KENNEDY. From the Gaelic or Celtic words Kean-na-ty ;
the head of the house, or chief of the clan. Ceannaide sig
nifies also a shopkeeper, a merchant.
KENNICOT. (Cor. Br.) From Chennicat, a singer ; Welsh,
canu, to sing.
KENT. Local. From the County Kent, in England. Camden
derives this from canton , a corner , because England in this
place stretches itself into a corner to the north -east. Cant,
in Welsh , signifies, round, circular, which is probably the
true signification.
KENWARD. (Saxon.) A cow -keeper, Kine-ward .
KENYON . (Welsh.) Ceinion , beautiful; Cyndyn, stubborn ,
Concenn or Kynan, strong head , powerful, a leader.
KERR . (Gaelic, Welsh, and Cor. Br.) Kaer,a castle ; figura
tively , strong, valiant; car, dear, a kinsman , a friend ; Dan
ish, Kier, dear, lovely.
KERSWELL. Local. The well where water-cresses grow .
KETMAN. (Ger.) From Kette, a chain , and mann; a chain
man .
KETTLE . Local. From the parish of Kettle, in Fifeshire,
Scotland.
174 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

KEVIN . (Celtic.) From Coemhghin , the beautiful offspring,

aoibhinn, pleasant, comely. Caomhan, a noble, kind, and
friendly man .
KEYS. Probably from Keyus, an old Roman word for a ward
en or keeper.
KEYSER. (Ger.) An emperor.
KID. A young goat ; also, Kid, from the Saxon Cythan , to
show , discover, or make known.
KIDDER . A dealer in corn, provisions, and merchandize ; a
traveling trader.
KIEF. (Dan .) Brave,valiant, stout,bold.
KIEL. (Ger.) Local Derived from the town of Kiel, in .
Lower Saxony.
KERCHER . Gaelic, carcar ; Welsh , carchar, a prison ; Anglo
Saxon , cark, a prison ; carker, a jailor.
KIERNAN or KIRNAN . Carnan, Gaelic, a heap ; figura
tively, a strong man, a thick -set, stout man . Cearnan,
local, a square, a quadrangle.
KIERSTED. (Danish.) Local. The place.near a marsh, from
Kier,a marsh, and sted, a dwelling, a town.
KILBURNE. Local. Derived from the village of Kilburne,
in Middlesex, England, famous for its fine well of mineral
water. Ku, Dutch ; kilde, Danish, a channel or bed of a :
river, and hence a stream ; bourne, a fountain , a spring-well.
KILGOUR. (Gaelic.) Local. The ancient name of a parish
in Fifeshire, Scotland, so called from kill,a church, and gour,
a hill — the church on the hill; or surrounded by hills.
KILHAM . Local. A town in England, from Kil, as above,
; and ham , a house or town.
KILLIN . (Gaelic.) Local. A place in Perthshire, Scotland,
from Cill-lin , that is, the church or burying-place on the pool.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 175
KIMBERLEY. Kemperlike, kemper, a veteran, a stout, war
like man, from the Dutch kamper, a champion , a fighting
man. The name may apply to the qualities of the person,
or to the place of a camp or battle, that is, Camper -ley ;
Cumberley indicates a place among hills in a narrow valley ,
from Cum , a vale, a dell.
KINCADE . (Gaelic.) From ceann, head, and cath or cad,
battle — the head or front of the battle.
KING . The primary sense is a head or leader. Gaelic, ceann ;
Welsh, cun and cwn, a head, a leader. Saxon, cyng, and
nearly the same in all the Teutonic dialects.
KINGHORN. Local. A borough in Fifeshire, Scotland. The
name is derived from the Gaelic Cean -gorn or gorm , “ the
blue head," from the adjoining promontory. It is fancifully
suggested by one writer that as the Scottish kings long had
a residence in the neighborhood, the name may have been
suggested by the frequent winding of the king's horn when
he sallied out to the chase in this neighborhood.
KINGSTON. Local. The name of several towns in England
— the king's town.
KINLOCH. Local. From lands in Fifeshire. Kian Loch
" thehead of the lake.”
KINNAIRD and KENNARD. (See Kaynard.) .
KINNEAR. (Gaelic.) A head man or chief. Ceanneir, from
Ceann, head, and eir, an abbreviation of fear, a man .
KINNEY. Gaelic, Cine, kindred, a clan , a tribe. Keny and
Cany, seeing, knowing; Welsh , cenio, to see.
KINSLEY. (Gaelic.) From Ceannsallach, authoritative, com
manding, ruling. Walker, in his Historical Memoirs of the
Irish Bards, relates the following story: Eochaidh, the then
monarch , was defeated by Ena, King of Leinster, at the
battle of Cruachan. In this engagement Ena killed Cet
mathch , laureate bard to the monarch, although he fled for
 AL
176 . ' ETYMOLOGIC DICTIONARY
refuge under the shields of the Leinster troops. For this
base deed the ruthless king was stigmatized with the epithet
Kinsealach , that is, the foul and reproachful head, which
name descended to his posterity.
KIPP. Kippe, in the German , denotes a situation on or near a
precipice. Kip, Dutch,a hen ,a chicken.
KIRBY. Local. The name of several small towns in England,
whence the surname is derived ; so called from Kirk , a
church , and by, a villageor town.
KIRK . - (Teut.) Kirche, a church. Gaelic, cearcall, a circle,
the primitive places of worship among the Celts were round,
a symbol of eternity, and the existence of the Supreme
· Being, withoutbeginning or end.
KIRKALDY. Local. From Kirkcaldy, a town in Fifeshire,
Scotland, from Kirk , a church, and culdee, the worshipers of
God, the first Christians of Britain , who were said to have
had a place of worship there in ancient times.
KIRKHAM . Local. From Kirk,a church,and ham ,a village.
The name of a small town in England, whence the surname
originated .
KIRKPATRICK . Local. A parish in Dumfriesshire, Scot
land, i. e., Patrick's Church.
KIRTLAND. A corruption of Kirkland, that is, the church .
land, from körk , a church.
KIRWAN . The name was O Quirivane until the time of
Queen Elizabeth ,when they, with many Irish houses,were
compelled to drop the “ O ," and Quirivane was corrupted
into Kirwan .

KITSON . The son of Christopher or Kit.

KITTS. The son of Kit or Christopher, “ g” being added for
son .
KLING ., German Klinge,a blade, a sword .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 177
KNAPP. (Ger.) Knappe, a lad , boy, servant, workman ; a
squire, whence Knave and Knapsack.
KNEVETT. A corruption of the Norman name Duvenet.
KNICKERBACKER . (Dutch andGer.) Cracker-baker, from
knacker, a cracker,and backer,a baker.
KNIGHT. A term originally applied to a young man after he :
was admitted to the privilege of bearing arms, by a certain
ceremony of great importance called knighting, which was
generally conferred by the king.
KNIGHTLEY. From Knight, and ley, a place or field .
KNOWLES or KNOLL. The top of a bill. Knowl, in Cor.
Br., is a promontory, hill, or eminence, a projection of hilly
ground.
- KNOX. Local Gaelic, Cnoc, a little hill; figuratively, a .
stout man .
KREBS, Local. A town in Upper Saxony,Germany.
KYLE. Local. From a district of the same name in Ayr
shire, Scotland. Gaelic, Coill, a wood.' The river Coyle
runs through the district,whence, perhaps, the name.

LACKEY. A person sent, an attendant servant.

LACY. Local. Derived from a place in France by that name
nito angDance with William tinte con
Sire De Lacy came into England with William the Con
queror. The Lacys afterward settled in Ireland.
LADD . (Welsh .) Ladd , to destroy.
· LAHEY. Gaelic, Leighiche, a physician. Lagh, Gaelic, law ,
order ; Fear Lagha, a lawyer.
LAING. Scottish dialect for long.
LAIRD. The same as Lord, from I , the, and ord or aird ,
Gaelic, supreme, high, eminence, highness ; Lerad, Laird ,
from radh,Gaelic, saying, declaring, expressing, affirming an
g*
278 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
adage or proverb; giving or uttering law , from the verb
abair. (See Lord.)
LAKE. A servant. Latin, lego, to send.
LAM . (Danish .) Lame.
LAMB. The namewas probably taken from the sign of a lamb
at an inn, the young of the sheep kind ; Welsh , Llamer, to
skip ; Gaelic, Leum . The primitive Celtic or Gaelic Lam
signified armor, as a dart, a blade, or sword ; hence, to lam
signified to disable, injure,maim , from which wehave lame
and limp.
LAMBOURNE. Anciently written in the Cor. Br. Lambron,
the inclosure of the round hill ; lan being changed into lam ,
for the sake of the euphony or ease in speaking ; from the
Welsh Llan,an inclosure, and bryn,a hill. .
LAMBERT. (Sax.) From lamb,and beorht, fair — fair lamb.
LAMMA. Welsh, Llamu, to skip, leap, jump; to maim "or
lam.
LAMPORT. (Cor. Br.) From lam or lan, a place, and port, a
harbor, a place for ships. ;
LANCASTER. Local. A town and county of England, the
castle or city on the Loyne or Lan river. The Britons called
it Caerwerydd. (See Chester.)
LANDER. Welsh, Llandir. Glebe lands belonging to a parish
church , or land containing mineral ore.
LANDON. (Cor. Br.). The inclosed hill or town, from Lan ,
an inclosure, and dun, a hill or town. Landen , a town of
Belgium .
LANDSEER. (Dutch.) From Landsheer, a lord of the manor,
from land and heer, a master or lord.
LANE. Old Gaelic, Llane, a plain ; barren, sandy, level lands.
Lane, a narrow way between hedges, a narrow street, an
alley. “ John of the Lane."
 - OF FAMILY NAMES . 179

LANGTON. Local. The long hill or tow .., so called from its
oblong form .
LANHAM . A contraction of Lavenham , a town in Suffolk,
England ; whence the family originally came. Welsh,
Llyfn , a smooth , level place. . .
LANMAN. A lance-man, spear-man .
LANPHEAR. “ Lann-feur,” Gaelic, grass-land ; Lann -fear, a
pike-man. Lann, an inclosure ; a house ; a church ; land ;
a sword . Feur, grass ; fear, a man.
LANSING . Local. (Dutch ) Low, flat lands ;“ ing," mead
Cows; alluvial lands. .. .
LANYON . (Cor. Br.) The furžy inclosure.
LAORAN. (Gaelic.) A person too fond of the fireside.
LARAWAY and LARWAY. (Fr.) A corruption of " Le
roi," the king
LARDNER. A swine-herd.
LARKINS. From lark, a sweet, shrill, musical bird, and kin, a
child . Learcean or Leargan, a sloping, green, side of a hill,
near the sea, from Lear, Gaelic, the sea. .
LAROCHE and LAROQUE. «(Fr.) The rock, a lonely mass
of stone. De La Roche, " from the rock .“
LARRY. Supposed to be an abbreviation of Lawrence (which
see).
LLARY. (Welsh.) Mild, easy.
LATH . An old word for " barn,” in Lincolnshire, England.
LATIMER . An interpreter. This name was first given to
Wrenoc ap Merrick, a learned Welshman, interpreter be
tween the Welsh and English . The name of his office de
scended to his posterity . .
LATTON . From Hlew , A . S., and ton ; the town on the emi
nence or side of a hill.
 180 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
LAUD. From the same root as loud, widely celebrated , Latin,
laus. laudis, praise ; Welsh , clod ; Gaelic or Irish , cloth ; Ger
man, laut.
LAUDER. Local. A town in Berwickshire , Scotland.
LAUREL. The laurel or bayberry-tree, dedicated to Apollo,
and used in making garlands for victors.
LAVENDER. A laundress ; Lavandière, French, one who
washes, from the Latin , lavo, to wash.
LAVEROCK . A Scotch word for a lark ; also Dutch and
Saxon .
LAW. (Scot.) A hill. Laye,old French, a hill.
LAWLESS. “ Lah -lios.” Gaelic, Lagh,law, order, and lios, &
court, a hall, a fortress, a place where law is administered .
Lau, Cor. Br., praise, and lis, a court. Lawless, an outlaw .
LAWLEY . “ (Saxon .) A place in the hundred of Blackburn ,
· Shropshire, from 'Law , low , and ley,a place,lea,or pasture.
LAWRENCE . Flourishing, spreading, from Laurus, the lau
rel-tree. Sir Robert Lawrence, of Ashton Hall, Lancashire ,
England, accompanied Richard I. to the Holy Land, 1191.
LAWRIE . Lawrence .
LAWSON. The son of Law , the familiar abbreviation of Law
rence.
LAYCOCK . Local. A village on the banks of the Avon, in
Wiltshire, England. The namemay be the same as Lricock
that is, little Luke.
LEADBEATER . A name of trade, à worker in lead.
LEARNED . Local. (Gaelic.) The green , sheltered place
near the sea, from Lear, the sea, and nead, a sheltered place.
Or it may be a name given for scholarship , “ John the
Learned."
LEAVENWORTH . Local. (Welsh.) Llyvngwerth , the
smooth , level farm , castle or court, or the worth or place on
the river Leven .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 181

LEBY. Local. A town in Denmark .

LECHMERE. Local. This family originally came from the
Low Countries. Lech is a branch of the Rhine, which parts
from it at Wyke, and running westward , falls into the Maes,
before Rotterdam ; mere, a lake.
LEE , LEA , and LEY. A pasture, meadow , lands not plowed ,
: a common, a sheltered place ; Lee, a river, a stream , from
Lli, Welsh, a stream .
LEECH . A physician.
LEFERRE . (Fr.) Le Ferre, the smith. Latin, Faber.
LEGARD. (Nor. Fr.) Le Gard, the guard or protector.
::Probably was first assumed from the possession of some
trusty or confidential office.
LEGATT. Legate, an ambassador ; Leggett, the son of Legge.
LEIGH or LEGH. Local. A town in England, a pasture
or meadow , the same as Ley, or Lea. The frequency of
this family name in Cheshire , England, led to the old
proverb , “ As many Leighs as feas, Masseys as-asses, and
Davenports as dog's tails.”
LEICESTER . From Leicester, a borough town in England.
Saxon , Leagceaster , from Leag or Ley, a field or common ,
and cester, a camp or city, from the Latin Castrum ; because,
says Bailey, it was probably built hard by a leag, or com
mon ; a camp of the Roman legion. (See Chester.)
LEIR or LEAR. Originally German, and derived from the
: town of Lear, on the Ems, in Westphalia. :
LELAND. Local. Laland, an island in Denmark , the same
as Leylande, the ancient manner of spelling the name, and
denotes Low lands. In Welsh , Lle is a place, and Lan a
church . Lan may signify any kind of inclosure, as Gwin
lan, Perlan, an orchard , a word applied to gardens, houses,
castles, or towns.
LEMON. (Fr.) A corruption of Le Moin, the monk.
182 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
LENNON. (Gaelic.) Leannon , a lover, a sweetheart.
LENNOX. (Gaelic.) Local. From the County of Lennox,
Scotland. The original name was Leven -ach , the field on
the Leven , from the river Leven, which flows through the
county, called in Latin Levinia. The river was so called
from Llyfn , in the Welsh, which signifies a smooth, placid
and finally Lennox . Arkil, a Saxon , a baron of Northum
bria , who took refuge from the vengeance of the Norman
William under the protection of Malcom Canmore, appears
LENT. Some names were given from the festivals and seasons
of the year in which they were born, as Noel, Holiday,
- Pascal, Lent, & c.
LEONARD. The disposition of a lion ; lion -hearted ; from
leon , à lion , and ard, Teutonic, nature, disposition.
LEPPARD. A name probably taken from a coat of arms, a
· leopard .
LESLIE . This family , according to tradition, descended from
Bartholomew de Leslyn, a noble Hungarian, who came to
Scotland with Queen Margaret, about the year 1067. He
was the son of Walter de Leslyn, who had assumed this
surname from the castle of Leslyn, in Hungary, where he
wasborn. Bartholomew being in great favor with Malcom
Canmore, obtained from that prince grants of several lands
in Aberdeenshire, which it is said he called Leslyn, after his
own surname. -Malcom de Leslyn, who succeeded him , was
the progenitor of all the Leslies in Scotland.
Robert Verstegan, in his Antiquities, remarks on the word ley :
6 A cornbat having taken place in Scotland between a noble
of the family of Leslie and a foreign knight, in which the
Scot was victorious, the following lines in memory of the
deed, and the place where it happened, are still extant :
" Between the Less-Ley and the Mair,
He slew the knight and left him there."
Bese
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 183
The namemay be derived from Lesslo, a maritime erritory
in Denmark .
LESTER, LEICESTER, and LEYCESTER. Local. A bor
ough town in England ; a camp of the Roman legion. (See
Leicester.)
LEVEN. Local. A river in Lancashire, England, also a town,
lake, and river in Lennox, Scotland, whence the county
derives its name. (See Lennox.) From the Welsh Llyfn ,
smooth , placid — the smooth river. The Gaelic Liomha - :
abhainn , pronounced Le-avon , signifies the same thing.
LEVENWORTH . (Welsh.) Local. From leven , the open or ,
bare place, and worth, a farm , castle, or mansion , or the
worth on the river Leven.
LEVEQUE. (Fr.) · A bishop.
LEVERET. A hare in the first year of its age.
LEVY. (Heb.) The same as Levi, joined, united, coupled ;
Jacob 's third son.
LEWES. Local. An ancient town in Sussex, England, de
rived from the Welsh Lluaws, a multitude, a populous place.
This town was formerly surrounded by walls, vestiges of
which are still visible, and on the summit of a hill are the .
remains of its ancient castle.
LEWIS . In the Fr., Louis ; Latin, Ludovicus ; Teutonic, Lida -
wig or Leodwig, from the Saxon Leod, the people, and wic,
a castle — the safeguard of the people. Lluaws, Welsh , sig
nifies a multitude.
LEWKNOR. Local. A corruption of Levechenora , the de
nomination of one of the hundreds of Lincolnshire, England.
LEWTHWAITE or LOWTHWAITE. (Anglo -Saxon .) From
thwaite, a piece of ground cleared of wood , and lowe, a hill,
law , a hill or eminence ; in Saxon, Hlewe. ,
‘ LIGHTBODY. A writer, somewhere, derives this name from
Licht, a dead body, a tomb, and Bodee, contracted from
184 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
Boadicea ,- meaning the tomb or grave of this British
Queen ; a locality . The name, however, is more likely to
have originated from bodily peculiarity.
LIGHTFOOT. A name given on account of swiftness in run
ning, or expertness in dancing; onewho is nimble or active.
LILIENTHAL . (Ger.) Local. The vale of lilies, from lilie, a
lily, and thal, a vale ; so Blumenthal, the vale of flowers. A
town in Bremen , Hanover. .
LILLY. A beautiful flower. Llille, in the Welsh, the place by
- the river or stream , from Lli, a stream , and Lle, a place.
Llu, an army, a troop ; Llellu , the place of the army. In
the Cornish -British Lhy is a troop, a company of horsemen,
and le or li, a place.
LINCOLN . Local. From Lincoln in England. The name is
derived from Lin in the Gaelic, Welsh, and Cor. Br., which
signifies a pool, pond, or lake, and coln , the ridge or neck of
a hill, so called from its situation, as it occupies the top and
side of a steep hill on the river Witham , which here divides
into three streams. ..
LIND. Local. (Swedish, Sax., Dan., and Dutch .) A place
where the lime or linden -trees grow .
LINDALL. : Local. From Lin , a brook, a lake, and dal, a
dale .
LINDFIELD . Local. The field of linden or lime-trees.
LINDO. (Spanish .) Neat, spruce, fine.
LING . (Teutonic .) English , long, heath ; also, a species of
long grass ; a long, slender fish.
LINDSAY or LINDSEY. Local. Sir William Dugdale says
this surname is local,andwas first assumed by theproprietors
of the lands and manor of Lindsay, in the county of Essex,
England. One of the Lindsays having contracted a friend
ship with Malcom Canmore, when in England, went with
 . OF FAMILY NAMES . 185
him to Scotland, and was the progenitor of the Lindsays in *
that country. -
The eastern part of Lincolnshire was originally called Lindsey ,
from the place aboundingwith linden -trees.
LINN or LINNE. Local. A pool, pond, or lake. Welsh ,
Tlyn ; Cor. Br., lyn ; Gaelic, linne, a pond.
LINNET. A singing bird.
LINTON. Local. From Lin, a lake or pool, and ton , a town.
A parish in Roxburgshire, Scotland.
do
LIPPENCOT. Local. Lippe, a German principality and town
· on the river Lippe. Cote, side or coast. Liban, Saxon,
Leben , German, to abide, to dwell, and cot, a cottage.
LISLE. (Fr.) Local. L'isle, an island.
LISMORE . Local. A parish in Argyleshire, Scotland. The
name signifies the large gardens. Lis or Lios, Celtic, a gar
den, and mor, large.
LITCHFIELD. From the Saxon lich, a dead carcase, and
field , because a great many suffered martyrdom ,there in the
timeof Diocletian . The name of a bishop 's see in Stafford
shire. . .
LITTLER . Derived from the town, village, or hundred of Lit
tle Over, corrupted to Littler, in the county of Cheshire,
England, where the family resided in the time of Edward I.
LIVERMORE . (Welsh .) From Teufer, a light, and mawr,
great- the great light. A name given to the first Christian
king of Britain, hence called by the Romans Lucius,which
has in the Latin the samesignification. . .
LIVINGSTONE. Local A barony in West Lothian, Scot
land, so named from one Livingus living there in 1124 ;
hence Livingston .
LIZARD. (Gaelic.) Local. The high fortress, from lios, a
fort, an inclosure, or garden , and ard , high.
 186 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
· LLARY. (Welsh .) Mild, easy .
LLOYD or LHUYD. (Welsh.) Gray or brown.
LOBDALE . (Gaelic.) Local. Lub, bending, curving, and
dail, a narrow vale or meadow .
LOCKMAN. A Scottish word for the public executioner.
LOGAN. (Gaelic.) An inclosed plain or low -lying place. If
the residence of a Briton was on a plain, it was called Lann ,
from Lagen or Logen ; if on an eminence, it wastermed dun .
LONSDALE. Local. Derived from the town of Lonsdale, in
Westmoreland, England, so named from the river Lon on
which it is situated, and dale — the dale on the Lon.
LOOMIS or LOMMIS . (Welsh .) Local. From lom , bare,
naked, exposed, and maes, a field, a name of place — the
· place in the open field .
LOPPE. Local. An uneven or winding place, a bend.
LORD . A term of civil dignity, a master, ruler, the proprietor
of a manor, derived from the Anglo -Saxon ord, which comes
from ored, a governor, with the prefix of the letter L , le,
denoting the person or place. Gaelic, ard, ord, high , lofty ,
the prime chief, superior. Lord has been derived from Ha
ford , which is compounded of Hlaf, a loaf, and ford, to
give, - a bread -giver.
LORIMER. A maker of bits or bridles.
LOSSIE . Local. A river of Scotland, in Elgin or Moray
shire.
LOUDOUN. From the parish of Loudoun in Ayrshire,
Scotland. The name is compounded of Law ard dun , - a
pleonasm , as both words signify a hill. The hill-hill.
· LOUGHLIN . The ancient Britons or Welsh called the Baltic
Sea Lychlyn, and the Scandinavian sea-pirates who infested
the coasts of Britain received the sameappellation. Norway
is called Llychlyn.
LOUTH . (Br. and Welsh .) From lowcth , a garden .
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 187

· LOVE. (Danish.) A lion.

LOVEL. The original family name of Lovel was, in olden
times, Percival, so called from a place in Normandy, until
Asceline, its chief, who flourished in the early part of the
twelfth century, acquired from his violent temper the sou
briquet of Lupus (the Wolf ). His son William , Earl of
Yvery, was'nicknamed Lupellus, the little wolf, which in
after times was softened into Lupel, and at last to Lrivel or
Lovel.
LOWE. A hill.
LOWER. The same as Burder. Louw or low is a Scotch
word for flame or fire.
“ Low -bellers,” according to Blount, " are men who go with a
light and a bell; by the sight thereof birds sitting on the
ground become somewhat stupefied, and so are covered
with a net, and taken .”
LOWRY or LOURY. Signifies in Scotch a crafty person, or
one who lowers, that is, contracts his brow ; hence a " lowry
day” — cloudy.
LUCAS. The same as Luke, luminous. Lucas,arising to him .
LUDBROCK . (Dutch.) Leather or hairy breeches.
LUDLOW . , Locál. From the ancient town of Ludlow , in
North Wales. Llud, in Welsh , signifies whatever connects
or keeps together, the same as caw . Llud, a prince of the
Britons, a commander ; Welsh, Llywydd, and lowe.
LUMLEY. (Gaelic and Welsh.) The bare place, from lom ,
bare, and lle, a place.
LUSHER. (Dutch.) Lauscher , a hider, a skulker.
LUSK or LOSCE. (Welsh .) A burning or searing. Gaelic,
Loisg, to burn .
LUTHER . The widely famed or celebrated , derived from the
-German loth or laut, loud, famed, fortunate, and er, honor
" fortune and honor.” Lauter,Ger., bright, clear, pure.
· 188 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

LYNCH . A strip of greenwood between the plowed lands in

the common field ; a small hanging wood.

MABAN. (Welsh.) A child , a bairn .

MACAULEY or MACAULA . (Celtic.) The son of the
rock.
MACE . A staff borne as an ensign of office.
MACKLIN . The same as McLean (which see).
MACLAY. (Gaelic.) The son of Clay (which see).
MACONOCHIE . The son of Conochie or Duncan, a name
borne by the chieftain of the Campbells.
MADDOCK . (Welsh .) The same as Madoc, a proper name
common among the Welsh , from mad , good , and the termi
nation oc orog, the same as the termination y or ous in
English . The terminations c and ac, denote fixedness, force,
plenitude. Og, in its simple form , signifies animation, activ
ity ; also, possessing that which precedes it; oc, greatness,
grandeur; ox , quickness, promptitude.
MADISON . The son of Mathew or Matilda.
MAGOON . (Gaelic.) A corruption of Macgowan, which sig
nifies the son of the smith , from Mac, son,and gow , a smith ;
or it may be the same as McCoun , from Mac, son, and
ceann, a head or chief — the son of the chief.
MAGUIRE or M 'GUIRE. (Gaelic.) The son of Guaire,
which is the Gaelic for Godfrey. Guaire was son of Alpin ,
King of Scotland. :
MAHOMET. (Turkish.) Glorified .
MAHON . (Celtic or Gaelic.) A bear.
MAIGNY. (Fr.) Local. An old province of France lying to
the east of Bretagne, whence the name came..
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 189

MAINARD or MAYNARD. (Ger.) Of a powerful disposi

tion , stout-hearted . Maynhard was one of the barons who
went into England with William the Conqueror, and whose
name is in the roll of Battle Abbey.
MAIN or MAYNE. Local. From a French province of that
name. Magne, great, large, rich, powerful, the same as
magnus in Latin . '
MAITLAND. Local. A tract of flat,meadow land.
MAJOR . An officer next in rank above a captain.
MALLARD.' (Belgic.) A wild drake. Meallard , local,Gaelic,
a high mound, a hill or eminence, from meall,a hill, and ard ,
• high.
MALLERY. (Fr.) A corruption of the French Mallieure; in
Latin , Malus Leporarius - a name given for ill hunting the
hare, according to Camden.
MALLET or MALET. This name has been ascribed by some
to a place so termed in Normandy, and by others to the
courageous blows of the family in battle. Malleus, Maule,
Mall, and Mallet was one of the offensive weapons of a well
armed warrior, being generally made of iron, and used to
destroy by pounding or bruising the enemy through or
under the armor, that could not be penetrated by edged or
pointed weapons, Edward I. was called Malleus Scotorum .
All the families of this name in England trace their descent
from the renowned William Lord Mallet de Graville, one of
the great barons who accompanied William the Conqueror.
MALMESBURY. From the town of Malmesbury in Wilt
shire, England, said to be so called by Malmutius, a king
of the Britons. It was anciently called Maidulphesburgh,
from Maidulph, a Scottish saint and hermit who built an
abbey there, and opened a school. Bede writes it Adelmes
birig, from Adelm , the scholar of Maidulph ; others derive it
from a part of thenames both of the scholar and teacher.
190 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
MALONE. One of the descendants of the house of O 'Connor,
Kings of Connaught, being tonsured in honor of St. John,
was called Maol Eoin — Bald John , from Maol, bald or ton
sured, and Eoin , John , and this was corrupted into Malone.
MANDEVILLE. From the Latin De Magna villa, that is, of
or from the great town.
MANN. (Ger.) Gentleman or master, the same as Herr.
Man, in the Welsh , signifies freckled or spotted ; also, a
spot, a place.
MANNERING orMANWARING. A corruption of Mesnil
warin ,Welsh , from Mesnil or Maenol, a farm .
MANNERS. (Fr.) From Manoir, and that from the Latin
Manere, to stay or to abide. Lands granted to some mil
itary man or baron by the king, a custom brought in by the
Normans.
Manners, first Earl of Rutland, soon after his creation, told Sir
Thomas More that he was too much elated by his prefer
ment, and really verified the old proverb , " Honores mutant
Mores." .
" Nay, my lord," retorted Sir Thomas, " the proverb does much
better in English, ' Honors change Manners.'”
It is the opinion of Camden that this family received its name
from the village of Manor, near Lanchester, in Durham ,
England,
MANNUS. A god celebrated among the Germans as one of
their founders. "
MANSER. (Dutch.). From Mansoir, a male issue, a boy.
Mansaer, in the Welsh , is a stone-mason.
MANSFIELD. Local. From a town in Nottinghamshire,
England, of the samename, so called from the Saxon man
rian , to traffic, and field - a place of trade.
MANSLE. Local. A town of France in the province of
Angoumois.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 191
MAR . Local. From the district of Mar, in Aberdeenshire,
Scotland. Mar,Welsh, activity ; Maor,Gaelic, an officer
of justice.
MARCH. A boundary, a limit; the boundary -lines between
England , Scotland, and Wales, were called “ The Marches."
Lords Marches were noblemen who anciently inhabited,
guarded , and secured these marches.
MARCHANT. Fr., Marchand, amerchant.
MARK . The sameas Marcus, a field ; polite, shining.
MARSHALL . A name of office- master of the horse , an
ciently , one who had command of all persons not above
princes. Teut., Marschalk ; French, Mareschal.
MARSH. (Teutonic.) Maresche, Morass, a fen, a tract of
low , wet land.
MARSHMAN . One dwelling near a marsh .
MARTIN . This namemay be derived from the Latin martius,
warlike, from Mars, theGod ofWar. In the Gaelic,mor is
great, and duin , a man . Morduin , a chief, a warrior.
MARVEN . Gaelic,Morven, a ridge of very high hills.
MASENFER. German, Messenfer, a great fair or market for
merchants.
MASSEY or MASSIE. Local. From the town and lordship
of Massey, near Bayeux, in Normandy. .
MASSENGER. A corruption of the French messager, a mes
senger or bearer of dispatches.
MASTEN or MOSTYN . (Welsh.) Local. A place or house
inclosed, from Maes, a field , and din, inclosed, fortified.
Moestuin , in the Teutonic and Dutch, signifies a garden , a
place cultivated. The Gaelic dun , and the Welsh din, a
fortified hill or fort, are synonymous. The Saxon tun sig
nifies an inclosure, a garden, a village, a town, and tun or
tuin , in Dutch, a garden , a protected place.
 192 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
Camden relates, that in the time of Henry VIII., an ancient
worshipfulgentleman of Wales being called at the panel of
a jury by the name of Thomas-Ap- William -Ap-Thomas- Ap
Hoel-Ap-Euan Vaughn, etc., was advised by the judge to
leave that old manner. Whereupon, he afterward called
himself Mostyn,according to the nameof his principal house,
and left that surname to his posterity. Mostyn , a village in
Flintshire, Wales. On Mostyn hill, in Flintshire, Wales, is
a remarkable monument to the sun, a place of Druid wor
ship .
MATHER . Welsh , Madur, a benevolent man. Medwr, a
reaper. Mathair, in Gaelic, is a mother.
MATTHEW . (Heb .) The gift of the Lord.
MATTISON . The son of Matthew .
MAUER. (Ger.) . A wall.
MAXWELL. One Macchus, in the eleventh century, obtained
lands, on the Tweed, in Scotland, from Prince David , to
which he gave the name of Macchus-ville, since corrupted to
Maxwell. Maxwell is Macsual, in Gaelic, from Mac, son,
and sual, small, little.
MAY. Probably given to a child born in that month. May,
in the Saxon, is a daisy, a flower ; the fifth month in the
year, beginning with January . Gaelic, mai or maith , good,
pleasant, fruitful; Mad, Welsh . From Ma we have mai,
the earth ,the producer ; ma,mother,tender, kind. .
MAYO . Local. The name of a county and town in Ireland,
the plain near the water, from Moi or Moy,Gaelic, a plain,
Moy, a river, and ai, a region or territory ; the region or
tract on the river Moy .
* MCALLISTER or McCALLISTER. The son of Alister, the
Gaelic, for Alexander. Callester, in the Welsh , signifies a
flint, figuratively, an invincible man . Galluster, in Cor. Br.,
expresses might, power. .
McANDREW . The son of Andrew .
 OF FAMILY NAMES13 .. 193
MARDLE or McCardle. (Gaelic.) From Mac,son, and ardal,
literally , the son of the high -rock, figuratively, high prowess
or valor.
McBAIN . The son of Bain . Bean or Ban , white, Donald
Bean, Donald the white .
McBRIDE. The son of Bride (which see).
MCCABE. The son of Cabe. Caob, Gaelic, a bough, branch,
á clod, lump, a bit or piece of any thing. Ceap, the top of a
hill, a sign set up in time of battle.
McCAMUS. The son of Camus (which see).
McCALLEN. The son or descendants of Callen or Colin . This
name was given to the descendants of Sir Colin Campbell,
or Colin the Great, who flourished toward the end of the
thirteenth century, at Lochore, Scotland.
MCCARTHY. The son of Carrthach, an Irish chieftain , who
' lived in the eleventh century.
McCLIS . From Mac, son, and Clis, active, quick , ingenious.
MCCOUN . (Gaelic.) From Mac, son, and Ceann, head or
chief ; the son of the chief.
McCRACKIN or McCHARRAIGIN . The son of the rock ,
figuratively, the son of the brave.
McCREE . (Gaelic.) From Mac, son, and Righ, king,— the
king's son ; or from cridhe, the heart, figuratively, brave,
bold , generous; also a term of endearment.
McCULLOUGH. The son of Cullough. Cullack, Gaelic, a
boar, figuratively , a brave man. .
McDHOIL or MCDOWELL. (Gaelic.) The son of Dowell or
Dougall, the dark stranger. From dhu, black , and gall, a
native of the low country of Scotland ; any one ignorant of
the Gaelic language ; a foreigner, a stranger. The same as
McDougall:
McDERMOT. The son of Dermot (which see).
194 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
McDONALD or McDONELL. This family was for many cen
turies reputed themost powerful of any in the Highlands of
Scotland, being styled " King of the Isles,” for many gener
ations, during which they were successful in asserting their
independence . Somerled, Thane of Argyle, flourished about
the year 1140, and was the ancestor of all the McDonalds. He
married the daughter of Olans, Lord of the Western Isles,
whereupon he assumed the title of " King of the Isles." He
was slain , in 1164, by Walter, Lord High Steward of Scot
land. Donald , from whom the clan derived their name, was
his grandson.
McDONNOUGH. (Gaelic.) The son of Donnach , the same
as Duncan , safe, able to defend.
MCDOUGALL. The son of Dougall, that is, the black stranger,
the foreigner, or native of the Lowlands.
McDUFF. (Gaelic.) The son of the captain, from Mac, son,
and Duf, a captain.
MCFADDEN . (Celtic.) The son of Faddan Fada, Gaelic,
tall; Phaudeen ,Gaelic, “ little Patrick,” and Mac, son ; Mac
- Phaudeen, the son of little Patrick.
MCFARLAND. The son of Pharlari, or Partholan, the Gaelic
for Bartholomew . Malcom McFarlane, descended from
Alwyn, Earl of Lennox, founder of the clan McFarlane,
lived about 1344, in the reign ofMalcom IV ., King of Scot
land.
Tradition gives the following fabulous origin of the name. Å
nephew of one of the old Earls of Lennox, having killed, in
a quarrel, his uncle's cook , was obliged to flee the country .
Returning after many years, he built a castle upon an island
above Inversnaid , in the Highlands, where he, and the island
after him , received the appellation of Farland. Hence
McFarland, the son of him who camefrom the Far-land.
McFERSON. The same as McPherson .
MEGINNIS . (Gaelic.) The son of Ginnis, cine a race, ois,
bumerous, gen or gin , to beget, a numerous clan or race.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 195
McGOOKEN or McGUCKEN. (Gaelic and Celtic.) From
Mac, a son , and Gugan , a bud or flower. This name is the
same in the Welsh or Cor. Br.
MCGOWAN. (Gaelic.) Frun Gow , a smith ; the son of a
smith, Smithson .
McGPATH and MCGRAW . (Celtic orGaelic.) From Gradh,
love, fondness, virtue, prosperity . Mac and rath, the son of
prosperity .
MCGREGOR. The descendants of Gregor, who was the son
of Alpin , King of Scotland. A family of great antiquity ,
and of distinguished ancestors. (See Gregor.)
MCGUIRE. The son of Guaire or Godfrey. Guaire was a
son of Alpin , King of Scotland.
MCHARD or McHARG . (Welsh, Cor. Br., and Gaelic.) The
son of the brave or the handsome. Mac ' Arg.
McILDOEY. From Mac, son, gille, a youth, and dhu, black ;
the son of the black youth .
McILDOUNEY. (Gaelic.) From Mac, son, gille, a youth , and
doinne,brownishness ; the son of the brown-haired youth .
McILHENNY. (Gaelic.) The son ofthe old man.
MCILROY. (Gaelic.) From Mac, gille, and ruaidh, red -haired ;
— the son of the red-haired young man.
McINNIS. The son of Innis. .
MCINTOSH . The son of the leader or first. Tosh, and Toshich ,
signify the beginning or first part of any thing ; so Toshich
came to denote the general or leader of the van . The
McIntoshes derive themselves from McDuff, who obtained
his right from Malcom Canmore.
MCINTYRE . (Gaelic.) The son of Kintyre ; — a promontory,
or headland, from Cean,head, and tir, land. "Also the son
of the carpenter.
McKAY. The same as McKie (which see).
 196 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
MCKELLY. The son of Kelly (which see ).
McKENSIE . (Gaelic.) The son of the chief, head , or first.
Same as McKenneth ; the son of Kenneth, signifying, chief,
head, or first.
MCKIBBEN . (Celtic.) From Iac, son, and Ceobbinn, the
of the hill .
top of the bill.
McKIE . (Celtic or Gaelic.) The son of a dog ; figuratively ,
Gauls, ap
the son of a champion. The Britons, Celts, and
plied the names of various animals to their heroes, indicative
of strength, endurance, courage, or swiftness. This name
is derived from Mac, son, and cu , kei, or ki, a wolf-dog. The
common hound was called Gayer.
• MCKINNON . Originally McFingon , the son of Fingon, who
was the youngest son of Alpin , King of Scotland.
McKIRNAN . The son of Kiernan . Karnon , Cor, Br., the
high rock ; Cuirnin , Celtic, a bush ; Cuirnean, Gaelic, a
small heap of stones.
McLAUGHLIN . The son of Laughlin , or the expert -sailor.
See Laughlin.
McLAURIN . The son of Labhruinn, or Lawrence.
MCLEAN . MacGillean. From a Highland chieftain of the
name of Gillean, who was the progenitor of this family.
This Gillean was a celebrated warrior, and was called Gillean
ni- Tuoidh , from his ordinary weapon , a battle -ax, which in
the Gaelic is Tuoidh, which his descendants wear to this
day in their crest, betwixt a laurel and a cypress branch.
The posterity of this Gillean were therefore called Mac Gil
lean , in all ancient documents, and now of modern date
McLeans. “ Magh Leamhna," in the County of Antrim , the
estate of the MeLeans or Macklins.
MCLEOD or McCLEOD . From Mac, son, and Clode, from
Claudius, the second emperor who invaded Britain . Church
ill says he was named Claudius because, through fear of
death, he buried himself alive, being plucked by the heels
out of a hole to be set upon the throne.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 197
MCMAHON. (Gaelic.) The son of a bear; a hero.
McMANUS. The son of Manus or Magnus, the great, or re
nowned.
McMARTIN . The son ofMartin , or the warlike.
MCMASTER. The son of Master.
MCMULLIN . The son of the miller.
MCMURROUGH. The son ofMurrough or Murrach; Mor, great,
strong, and ach , battle. Mur, a wall, bulwark , and ach.
MCMURTAIR. (Gaelic.). The son of a murderer. .
McNAB. The son of Nab. Nab, the summit ofa mountain or
rock . The son of the Abbot ? Nab, Persic, a chief, a prince.
McNAMARA. (Celtic.) From Mac, son, and cu -marra or
or con -marra, “ the hero of the sea.” Con -marra was de
scended from Cas, King of Thomond, from whom came
McConmara, or Macnamara . This family were anciently
hereditary lords in the County of Clare.
MONEVIN . (Gaelic.) The son of Nevin . Cnamhin , Naomh,
holy, sacred, consecrated ; a saint.
McNIEL. The son of Niel (which see).
McNAUGHTON. McAn Achduinn. The son of the expert
and potent, from Mac, Gaelic, son, an, of, and achduinn,
tools and instruments of all kinds; able, expert, potent.
MCPHERSON . The son of Pherson . Pherson is the son of
Pfarrer,German, a parson, and that from Pfarre, a parish ,
a benefit, or living. Pfarre is derived from the Gaelic
Faire, a watcher, to watch , an overseer, Episcopus.
McQUADE. Quad, Danish, a song, air,lay; a species of nar
· rative poetry among the ancient minstrels. The son of the
Poet.
MCQUARIE or McGUAIRE. Son of Guaire or Godfrey.
Guaire was son of Alpin, King of Scotland.
MCQUEEN. That is, McOwen, the son of Owen. Originally
McSweene.
 198 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
McWILLIAM . The son of William . (See William .)
McWITHY. The son of the weaver, from the Gaelic Mac, a
son, and guithe, Cor. Br., a weaver. In the Welsh ,
gwehydd, a weaver, quethy, Cor. Br., to weave.
MEAD. Local. A meadow , a tract of low land ; the sense is,
extended or flat, depressed land.
MEADOW . Local. Land appropriated to the culture of grass.
MECHANT. (French.) Mechant,bad, wicked .
MEDCAF. Local. The inclosed cell or church, from midd ,
Welsh, inclosed , and caf,a cell, a religious house.
MEEK. Mild of temper, soft, gentle. Mac, Gaelic, a son .
MEERS. Shallow water, or lake; — a name of place.
MEHIN . (Welsh .) Mochyn ,a pig ; Gaelic, Muc, a wild boar.
MEIKLE. A lump or mass,much, big.
MEIKLEHAM. The large village ; the great house.
MEICKLEJOHN . (Scottish.) Large John,to distinguish him
from wee John, or little John.
MELOR . (Welsh and Gaelic.) A soldier, from melwr,Welsh .
MELLIS. Sweet, from Mel, honey, or Gaelic, milis, sweet,
or from Milidh, a soldier .
· MELUN . Local. From the town of Melun, in France.
MENAI. Welsh . So called from Menai, a strait which di
vides the island of Anglesea from the coast of Wales. The
The Gaels blessed the beams of this luminary that saved
them from the danger of precipices, and Augustine says that
the Gaelic peasants invoked Mena for the welfare of their
women .
MENNO. Beardless ; defective.
MENTETH or MONTEITH . Local. From a district in
Scotland so called ; through which the river Teth runs.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 199
MENZIES. Said to be originally Maynoers, Meyners, then
Menys afterward Meynes or Mengies, and now Menziesma
branch of the family of Manners, in England,thename being
originally the same. I think, rather, the name is derived
from the parish of Monzie, in Perthshire, Scotland.
MERCER. One who deals in silks and woolen goods.
MEREDITH . This family is of British origin . Old chronicles
relate that the first settlement of the family was situated
on the Welsh shore, where the sea washed in with great
impetuosity and noise, from whence it is added they took
the name of Meredyth, or Ameredith . Maredydd, Welsh ,
the animated one. .
MERLE or MERRIL . (Fr.) A blackbird . Merely local, a
town in Savoy.
MERTON. Local. From Merton, a town in Sussex , England,
so called from mere, a lake or marsh, and ton .
MESHAW . (Fr.) Mechant,bad, wicked .
MESICK . (Dutch .) From Maesyck, a town on the river
Maes, in the bishopric of Liege,Netherlands.
METCALF. In the Welsh ,medd signifies a vale, a meadow ,
and caf, a cell, a chancel, a church , i. e., the church in the
vale .
The origin of the name, however, is given by tradition in this
wise. In those days when bullfights were in vogue, in
merry England, one of the enraged animals broke away from
the combat, and was hotly pursued by horsemen . A certain
John Strong happened to meet the bull on the top of a hill,
and when attacked by the furious beast, he seized him in
the nostrils with his left hand, and killed him . As he came
to the foot of the hill, meeting several persons in the pur
suit, he was inquired of whether he had met a bull; he
replied he “ Met a calf,” and from this circumstance was
called afterward John Metcalfe.
200 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
METTERNICH . (Dutch .) From Metter, middle or in, and
naght, night- middle of the night; born in the middle of the
night. Metternach , local, the town next to the middle place ,
from nach , next, after, behind,at, or by.
MEYER. (Ger.) Themagistrate of a city or town,
MEYEUL. Local. Came into England with William the
Conqueror. The name is derived from a place in France. **
MICHAEL. (Heb.) Who is like God ?
MICKLE. From the Saxon Muchel; Scottish, Muckle, big.
MIDDLEDITCH. Local. The middle trench for draining
wet land or guarding inclosures.
MIDDLETON. Local From Middleton, a small town in
Dorsetshire, England — the middle town.
MILBOURNE. Local. The mill brook,from Möln , a mill, and
borne or bourne, a brook .
MILDMAY. Said to be derived from the Saxon Mild , soft
or tender, and dema, a judge, and was given to one of the
early ancestors of the family from his tempering the severity
of the law with merey.
MILFORD. Local. The ford by the mill.
MILLER. One who attends a grist-mill. Meillear, Gaelic,
having large lips; malair, Gaelic, a merchant; maillor,
Gaelic, from maille, armor, and fear, a man - a man in
armor, having a coat of mail, a soldier.
MILLMAN . A man belonging to a mill.
MILLS. Local. Living near a mill. Gaelic, Milidh, a soldier,
the d being silent.
MILNE. A mill. In Gaelic Muileann also signifies a mill; in
Welsh, Milain implies firmness, fixedness of purpose.
MILNER. A miller.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 201
MILTHORPE. Local. From a village of that namein West
moreland, England, so called from mill, and thorpe, a village
— the mill-village.
MILTON . Local. From the town of Milton, in Kent, Eng
land. The mill-town, from the Saxon miln , a mill, and ton ;
or the middle town.
MINSTER . (Sax.) An abbey .
MINTURN . (Welsh.) Local. The round stones or circle of
stones, from min , stones, and turn , a round, a circle ; trwn
• and tron, Welsh , a circle.
MITCHELL. A corruption of Michael, or from the Saxon
Muchel, big. .
MIXE. Local. An ancient territory of France.
MOCHRIE . (Celtic.) My beloved , from mo, my, and chree,
dear; a term of endearment, a sweetheart.
MOE. (Old English.) Large, tall, great.
MOEL. Maol, in the Gaelic, signifies bald.
MOELYN . (Welsh.) Bald-pate.
MOFFATT. Local. Derived from the town of Moffat, in
Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
MOLEN . (Dutch.) A mill.
MOLLOY. (Cor. Br.) The dusty or hoary mill.
MOLYNEUX. (Fr.) Local. From Normandy, De Moulins,
De Moulines, De Molineus. From Moulins, a town on the
river Allier, in France, so called from the great number of
water mills there. Fr., Moulin , a mill.
MONGER. Anciently an extensive merchant, now used to
denote those who traffic in a single article.
MONK . Greek, uóvos ; Welsh, mon, sole, separate, alone ;
cerns of the world, and devotes himself to religion.
202 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
MONROE. Local Monadh Roe or Mont Roe, from the
· mount on the river Roe, in Ireland,whence the family came.
Moine Roe, a mossy place on the Roe ; M 'unroe, from , of,
or about the Roe. The river is sometimes written Munree.
MONSON. Derived , according to antiquarians, from the Ger
man word Muntz, but probably the son of Mon or Mun, a
nickname for Edmund.
MONTAGUE . (Fr.) De Mont aigue — from the sharp or steep
mountain .
MONTFORD. From the Latin “ De Monte Forte," that is, from
the strong or fortified hill or mountain .
MONTGOMERY. A corruption of the Latin " Mons Gomeris,"
Gomer's mount. Gomer, the son of Japhet, the hereditary
name of the Gauls.
MONTMORICE. The mount of Morris ; or from the Moorish
mountains, perhaps natives of Morocco ; some bearing this
namewent with William the Conqueror into England. ,
MOODY. A namegiven from the disposition . Meudwy, Welsh,
an anchorite, a recluse, hermit, a monk .
MOERS. Derived from the town of Moers, in the Nether
lands. Moer or Moeras, in Dutch, signifies a fen,marsh, or
moor.
MOON . A corruption of Mohun, or it may be local, from the
island Anglesey or Mona, so called , as some suppose, from
mwyn, Welsh , mines, from its stone-quarries and mines;
others derive it from mon or mona,alone, separated . Mwyn ,
Welsh, affable, pleasant.
MOONEY. " Meunier, Fr., a miller.
MOORE or MORE. (Gaelic.) Mor, great, chief, tall, mighty,
proud. Moar, a collector of manorial rents in the Isle of
Man. Moore, from moor — John o'the Moor.
MORAN. A multitude. Moran,' a .contraction of Morgan,
· which signifies of or belonging to the sea .
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 203
MORETON . (Gaelic.) Local. From mor, large, high, and
dun , ton , a hill.
MORGAN . From Mor, the sea, and gan, born ; the same as
Pelagius— born on the sea, from the Greek 'téðayos, the
sea . Mor, the sea, and gan, by or near - near the sea , a
locality .
MORIARTY . (Gaelic.) Noble, illustrious, from Mor, great,
and artach, exalted. .
MORLEY. Local. From Morlaix, in Brittany, France, and
derived from the Welsh or British word mor, the sea, and
ley, a valley. It is situated near the sea, on a river of the
same name.
MORSE . Probably a contraction of Morris. Mors, the name
of a large island in Denmark , a marsh.
MORREL. Having yellow hair.
MORRIS. (Welsh .) From Mawr and rys, a hero, a warrior, ,
Μαυors.
MORTON. (Gaelic.) Local. From the parish of Morton , in
·Nithsdale, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Mor, big, great, and
dun, ton , a hill.
MOSELEY. Local. Moss-ley , Sax., Moose, Moyes, or Moss,
a mossy field or pasture.
ll. , :
tificial bihill
MOTT. (Fr.) A round artificial
MOULTON . Local. A small town in Devonshire, England.
MOUNTAIN . A name of place. This name once gave occa
allusion been made to any other book than the Holy
Scriptures.
. Dr. Mountain , chaplain to Charles II., was asked one day by
that monarch to whom he should present a certain bishopric
just then vacant. “ If you had,but faith ,sire," replied he,
“ Icould tellyou to whom .” “ How so," said Charles,“ if Ihad
 204 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
but faith.” “ Why, yes,” said the witty cleric, “ your maj
esty might then say to this Mountain , be thou removed into
that sea .” The chaplain succeeded.
MOUNTJOY. A name adopted probably by one of the cru
, saders, from a place near Jerusalem , which , according to Sir
John Mandeville, “ men clepen Mount-Joye, for it gevethe
joye to pilgrymes bertes, be cause that there men seen first
Jerusalem * * * a full fair place, and a delicyous."
Lower says, “ Some religious houses in England had their
Mountjoys, a name given to eminences where the first view
of the sacred edifice was to be obtained. This name is still
retained in a division of the hundred of Battel, not far from
the remains of the majestic pile reared by William the Con - -
queror.' Boyer defines 'Mont- joie' as a heap of stones made
by a French army, as a monument of victory .”
MOXON . The son of Moggie or Margaret.
MOXLEY . Local. Probably Mugasley, from the Saxon muga,
much , great, large, and ley, a field .
MULLIGAN . (Gaelic.) Local. Mullechean, the top or sum
mit, a height.
MULLINS. (Fr.) A miller. “ De Moulin,” from the mill. .
MUMFORD. The sameas Montfort (which see).
MUNDY. Local. Derived from the Abbey of Mondaye, in
the dukedom of Normandy.
MUNGEY. A corruption of Mountjoy (which see).
MUNN. A familiar abbreviation of Edmund.
- MUNSEL. Local. From Monsall,a dale of Derbyshire, or a
person originally from Mansle, in France.
MURRAY, MORAY. De Moravia . Some deduce this family
from a warlike people called the Moravii, who came from
Germany into Scotland , and affixed their own nomenclature
to that district now called the shire of Moray. The root of
the nameis the samewhether Moravian or Gaelic, and sig
nifies the great water, from mor, great, and an 'or av, water.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 205
MURRELL. (Fr:) A sea wall or bank, to keep off the water ;
a name of place.
MUSGRAVE . King's falconer, from Meus, Sax., the place
where the hawks were kept, and grave, keeper.
MYERS. The same as Meyer, the magistrate of a city or
town; a very common name in Germany.
NAB . In the Persic, signifies a chief, a prince. Nab, English,
the summit of a mountain , the top.
NAFFIS or NEFIS. ' (Fr.) From Nefils, that is, born son,
from Ne and fils. Nwyfus, in the Welsh, signifies þrisk ,
sprightly, active.
NAIRNE . Local. The name of a shire, river, and town in
Scotland , whence the surname is derived. The namewas
taken from the river, which was called in Gaelic uisge
n 'fhearn, from uisge, water, and n'fhearn (pronounced nearn,
the “ fh” having no sound), " the alders” — “ the water of the
alders,” from the great number of alder-treeswhich grew on
its banks.
NANCE . Local. From Nance or Nancy,a city of France, capi
tal of the department ofMeurthe,and signifies a valley ; nans
or nantz , in the Cornish British , is a plain , a dale, a level.
. NAPIER. It is said that Donald , a son of the Earl of Lennox,
for his bravery in battle, had his name changed by the king
to Napier. After the battle, as the manner is, every one ad
vancing and setting forth his own acts, the king said unto
them , “ Ye have all done valiantly, but there is one among
you who hath 'Na Pier,'” and the king gave him lands in
Fife and Goffurd. The name came, however, from taking
charge of the king's napery or linen at the coronation of
English kings, an office held by William De Hastings, in .
the time of Henry I.
NASH . Súpposed to be a corruption of“ Atten - Ash,” — at the ash .
Naish,a place near Bristol, England. Naisg,Gaelic,made fast,
bound, protected Probably an old fortress or watch-tower.
NAYLOR. A maker of nails.
NEANDER. Newman ,Greek ,véos-åvip,the new man. .
NEEDHAM. Local. From Needham , a market-town in Suf
folk , England — the village of cattle ; Sax., neat, Danish ,
nod, a herd , and ham , a village. In another sense it may
denote the clean , fair town.
NEAL. The same as Neil (which see). Neal may be some
• times a contraction of Nigel.
NEFF. French, Naif, artless, candid. Nef,a water-mill; the
nave of a church ,
NEFIS. Welsh, Nwyfus, sprightly. Nefils, French, a son
born , descendant from ..
NEIL and NEL. In the Cor, Br. signifies power,might, that
is, the powerful or mighty . Neul or Nial, in the Gaelic, sig
nifies a cloud or hue ; figuratively, a dark complexion.'

NELTHROPE. From Nehwl, Gothic for near or nigh, and

thorpe, a village; given to an individual living at such a spot
· near the village. [PlayFAIR .]
NEQUAM. (Latin.) Dishonest, lazy . Alexander Nequam ,of
St. Albans, wishing to devote himself to a monastic life, in
the abbey of his native town, applied to the ruler of that
establishment for admission . The abbot's reply was thus
laconically expressed :
“ Si bonus sis, venias, si Nequam , nequaquam .” If good, you
may come; if wicked, by no means.
It is said he changed his name to Neckham , and was admitted
into the fraternity .
NESS. A cape or promontory.
NETHERWOOD. Local. The lower wood.
NEVEU . (Fr.) A nephew .
NEVILLE . (Fr.) “ De Neuve ville," of the new town. Neu
ville,a town in Poitoa, France.
 CF FAMILY NAMES. 207
NEVIN . (Gaelic.) Naomh, holy, sacred, consecrated. Welsh ,
Nef, heaven ; Nefanedig, heaven -born ; Nefddawn, heaven
gifted.
NEWBURY . (Sax.) New -town. A place in Berkshire
raised out ofthe ruins of an old town called Spingham .
NEWTH . Nuadh, in theGaelic, signifies new, fresh, recent.
NEWTON . Local. The name of several small towns in
England — thenew town.
NISBETT. Local. From the lands of Nisbett, in the shire of
Berwick, Scotland.
NOAKES or NOKES. A corruption of Atten Oak , “ at the
oak ;" en was added to at when the following word began
with a vowel, as “ John Atten Ash ” — John Nash , that is,
John at the Ash . Mr. John Nokes is a celebrated person
age in legal matters, as well as his constant antagonist
Mr. John Styles (John at the Style). The names are so
common , that “ Jack Noakes and Tom Styles” designate the
rabble.
NOBLE. Great, elevated, dignified.
NOEL. (Fr.) Christmas; a name given probably to a child
born at that time.
NOGENT. Local. From the town of Nogent, in the province
of Champagne, France. The Nugents went from England
into Ireland in the time of Henry II .
NORBURY. Local.. The north town or village.
NORCUTT or NORTHCOTE. Local. The north -cot ; so
Eastcott and Westcott.
NORFOLK . Local. A county of England. Nord- folk, the
north people, so called with regard to Suffolk , or the south
people.
NORMAN . A native of Normandy, a northman . The inhab
itants of Sweden, Denmark , and Norway were anciently so
called.
 208 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
NORRIS. Norroy , or north -king ; a title given, in England, to
the third king-at-arms. Norrie, French, a foster-child .
NORTHAM . Local. The north house or village- North -ham .
NORTHOP. Local. A place in England ; the north thorp or
village. .
NORTHUMBERLAND. Local. À county of England.
North - Humber-land, the land on the north side of the river
Humber.
NORTON. Local. From Norton , a town in Yorkshire, Eng
land. The north -town.
» NORWICH . Local. From the city and seaport of Norwich ,
in Norfolk, England. The north -harbor, from north , and
wick , a harbor or port.
NOTT. Hnott, Saxon, smooth , round, a nut. Notted , an old
word for shorn , polled. The name may have come from
wearing the hair short and smooth .
" A notthed had he, with a brown visage.” — CHAUCER.
The following, it is said ,was penned by the first wife of the
Rev. Dr. Nott, on his asking her hand in marriage :
" Why urge, dear sir, a bashful maid,
• To change her single lot,
When well you know , I've often said
In truth, I love you, Nott.
For all your pain I do, Nott, care,
And trust me on my life,
Though you had thousands, I declare,
I would, Nott,be your wife.”
NOTTINGHAM . Local. From the borough town of Notting
ham , in England. Bailey says the name is corrupted from
Snottingham , from the Saxon Snottenga, caves, and ham , a
village, from the many caves and places of security found in
that county .
NOWELL . The same as Noel (which see). .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 209
NUX. Local. Cnoc, in theGaelic, is a little hill,a hillock.
NOYES. Noy is an abbreviation for Noah. “ In England, in the
seventeenth century, Attorney -GeneralNoy was succeeded
by: Sir John Banks, and Chief-justice Heath being found
guilty of bribery, Sir John Finch obtained the office; hence
it was said :
" Noy's flood is gone,
The Banks appear,
i Heath is shorn down,
And Finch sings here.” — LOWER.
In the Cornish British, Noi is a nephew, and Noys night
NUGENT. (SeeNogent.)
NYE. The familiar abbreviation of Isaac, among the Dutch.
Noie, Danish , exact, precise, nice. Ny, Danish , new , re
cently produced. Lower gives the name from Atten -Bye,
. at the island.

OAKES. Local. From a dwelling near the oak -trees.

OAKHAM . Local. From the town of Oakham , in Rutland
shire, England, so called from Oak, and ham , the village by
the oaks.
OAKLEY. Local. The fields or pasture abounding in oaks.
O’BIERNE. The same as O'Byrne. O, or Ui, signifies grand
son , descendant. The descendants of Byrne. In the Welsh,
Bryn is a hill; Brenin , à chief, a king.
O'BRIEN. The descendant of Brien , i.e., exalted, noble.
O ’BYRNE. Originally O' Bran, the descendants of Bran, an
ancientking of Leinster ; which signifies a raven ; he was
usually called Bran Duv, the black raven, from the color of
his hair, and his thirst of prey.
O'CALLAGHAN. (Celtic or Gaelic.) The descendants or
tribe of Callaghan, from Ciallach , prudent, judicious,discreet
210 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
OCHIERN .or OIGTHIERNA. (Gaelic.) A term applied to
the heir apparent to a lordship, from Oig, young, and tierna,
a lord .
OCKHAM . Local. From ock or ac, an oak, and ham , a vil
lage, a town in Surrey, England, so called from the abun
dance of oaks growing there.
OCKLEY. (Sax.) From ock or ac, an oak, and leag, a field . .
The oak field .
O ’CONOR or O'CONNOR. The descendants of Conor or Con
covar, an Irish chieftain, who died in the year 971. (See
Conor.)
O ’DEVLIN . The descendant of Develin (which see)
O'DONNELL. The descendants of Donal, an ancient Irish
family, who trace their descent through Donal to Niallys
Magnus, the ancestor of the O 'Neills, known as Nial Nias
gallach, Nial of the nine hostages. The O'Donnells ruled
the territory of Tirconnell, for thirteen generations. (See
Donald .)
O'DONOGHUE. The descendants of Donogh (which see ).
O 'DONOVAN . The descendants of Donovan, which is de
rived from Dondubhan , the brown-haired chief. This name
was given to a celebrated Irish chieftain of the tenth cen
tury, who waskilled by the famous Brian Boru .
O'DORCY. The descendant of Dorcy. Dorcy is a corruption
of De Orsay, from Orsay, a town in Cleeve, Germany. -
O 'DOUGHERTY . The chief of the oak habitation, from 0 ,
high or chief, doire, or darach, the place of oaks, and tigh, a
habitation .
O ’DUGAN. The descendant of Dugan (which see).
O'FLAHERTY. The descendant of Flaherty (which see ).
OGDEN . Local. (Sax.) From ock, oak-tree, and den , a val
ley ; the oak vale, or shady valley. Ogduine, in the Gaelic
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 211
signifies a young man, from Og, young, and duine, a man ;
Ogdyn, in the Welsh, has the same signification .
OGILVIE. Local. From the lands of Ogilvie, in Scotland.
It may come from the Welsh Ochil, a high place.
O’GOWAN . The descendant of Gowan (which see).
O 'HARA . The descendant of “ Hara ," Chaldee form of ara, a
mountain. In Gaelic, arra signifies a pledge, treachery ;
arr, a stag, a hind ; arradh, an armament; ara , plural of ar,
slaughter, battle. Hara , Saxon, a hare.
O'KEEFE. The descendant of Kief. Kief, in the Danish, sig
nifies brave, stout, courageous.
OLIFANT. An elephant.
O'LEARY. The descendant of Lary ; Llary, Welsh , gentle,
easy .
OLIVER . So named from the olive-tree, an emblem of peace.
OLLENDORFF. Local. From Oldendorf in Germany, so
called from Olden , old, and dorf, a village.
OLMSTEAD. Local. A place or town by the green oaks,
from Holm , an oak , and stead, a place. Holme, low lands
on a river, an island.
O'MAHONY. The descendant of Mahon, which signifies a
bear.
O’MALLEY. The descendant of Malley; Mala , Gaelic, the
brow of a hill; Maille,smooth , placid , gentle.
ONDERDONK. (Dutch .) Under grace or pardon , from onder,
under, and dank , thankfulness, gratitude.
O'NEIL. The descendants of Neil, that is, the powerful or
mighty .
ONSLOW . Local. From the manor of Onslow , in Shropshire,
England. Aunslow signifies a place on a river or stream .
O ’QUIN . Anciently O'Con. The descendants of Con Cead
caha, one of the early monarchs of Ireland.
212 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

ORCHARD. Local. An inclosure of fruit-trees. Orcheard,

Gaelic, a goldsmith.
ORME, (French.) Local. An elm -tree.
ORMISTON . Local. The town or village of elms.
ORMSBY. From orme, an elm , and by ,a town; a name of
a place surrounded by elms.
ORR. Local. Derived from the river and town of Orr, in
Scotland. Or, in Welsh and Gaelic, signifies a border, a
boundary.
ORTON . Local. From the town of Orton , in Westmoreland,
England. Gaelic, Ord, a hill of a round form and steep,
and ton , a town a fortress. .
ORVIS. Urfhas, in the Gaelic, signifies fair offspring. Arvos,
Cor. Br., local, a place on or near an entrenchment, from Ar
and foss.
OSBORN. (Sax.) From hus, a house, and bearn,a child - a
family -child , an adopted child .
OSMUND . (Sax.) From hus,a house, and mund , peace.
OSTERHOUDT. (Dutch.) The eastwood,from oost or oster,
east, and houdt, a wood.
OSTHEIM . (Ger.) From Ost, east, and heim ,a home, habi
tation or village. From the east habitation or village.
OSTRANDER . (Dutch .) The lord of the east shore, from
oste, east, strand, the shore,and heer, lord or master ; he that
must have his due of a stranded ship .
OSWALD. (Sax.) From hus, a house, and wald , a rulera
house-ruler or steward ; a king of Northumberland.
OTIS. (Greek.) From órds, the genitive singular of ous, the
ear, a name given from quick hearing.
O' TOOLE. Originally O'Tuathal— the descendants of Tuathal,
which signifies “ the lordly."
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 213
OTTER Local. Oitir, Gaelic, a low promontory jutting into
the sea, a shoal.
OUDEKIRK. (Dutch.) Local. From a town of the same
name in Holland, and signifies the old church, from oude,
old, and kerk, a church.
OUSELEY. Local. From the river Ouse, in England, and
ley, a field or place - a place on the river Ouse. The name
Ouse is derived from the Gaelic uisge,water.
* OUTHOUDT. (Dutch.) Local. The old wood.
OWEN . (Celtic.) The good offspring. Oen , Welsh, and
Gaelic, uan, a lamb.
OXFORD. Local. From Oxford , in England, on the Isis,
the seat of the celebrated university founded in 806 ; from
Ox, Anglo-Saxon, water, corrupted by the Angles or Danes
from the Gaelic uisge or isk , and ford, a pass or way — the
ford across the Isis.
Bailey derives it from Oxen -ford, " the ford of the oxen ,” like
the Greek Bosphorus, or from the river Ouse, and ford .
The name of the river Ouse is derived from uisge, water.

PADDOCK. (Old English .) A meadow , croft or field ; an

inclosure in a park.
· PAGE, Child, and Varlet,were names given to youthsbetween
seven and fourteen years of age while receiving their educa
- tion for knighthood.
PAINE. Paon, Fr., a peacock . Payne, a pagan, unbaptized ;
a rustic .
PAISLEY. (Welsh .) Local. From Plas, a pass, and li, a
stream — the place of crossing the river.
PALMER. A pilgrim , so called from the palm -branch, which
he constantly carried as a pledge of his having been in the
Holy Land.
“ Here is a holy Palmer come,
From Salem first, and last from Rome."
SCOTT'8 MARMION .
 214 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
PANCOST. A corruption of Pentecost,the fifteenth day after
Easter, a name probably given to a child born on that day.
PANGBOURN. Local. A town in Berkshire, England ;
bourn ,a brook, a river.
· PARDIE . A name given to one who was in the habit of
swearing Par -dieu . Lower says, it is not a little curious
that the French oath, " Par Dieu ” has become naturalized
among us, under the various modifications of Pardew , Par
doe, Pardow , and Pardee. So also we have the Norman
name Bigot, from the habit of swearing “ Bi-God ."
PARSALL. Local. Park-hall, the same as Parshall. Par
cellmay be from par-ciel, “ by heaven," a name given for the
samereason as the preceding one.
PARIS. Local. The metropolis of France, on the Seine, an
ciently called “ Lutetia Parisiorum ,” Lutum , mud, from its
situation in a marshy place . A place where the Pars or
Peers met in Congress. Paro, to make civil or military
arrangements ; Paries, a wall, a walled . town ; Peri, ar
island.
PARKE. A piece of ground inclosed , and stored with dees
and other beasts of chase .
PARKER. The keeper of a park.
PARKMAN. The same as Parker. .
PARNELL. The same as Pernell, from Petronilla , Italian,
pretty stone. A wanton, immodest girl.
PARRET or PERROT. Local. From Peraidd, Welsh , the
sweet or delicious river, now the Dee.
PARRY. (Welsh ) Probably a contraction of Ap Harry, the
son of Harry . In the Welsh it also signifies ready, prepared,
equal, like; Para, endurance,one capable of enduring. The
name may be local, from Parys, a mountain in Wales, so
called from parhrus, inexhaustible (mines) ; or Pres, brass,
copper, ore.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. . . 215
PARSHALL. Local. Park-hall, the hall, or mansion in the
Park .
PARSON. We suppose that its first founder was a clerical
character or parson . From the Latin Persona , that is, the
person who takes care of the souls of his parishioners.
PATRICK . From the Latin Patricius, noble, a senator; the
name of the tutelary saint of Ireland.
PATTERSON or PATTISON. Patrick 's son , the son of Pat
rick. .
PA:UL. Signifies little, small. Latin, Paulus, Greek, mainos. ;
PAXTON . Local. From the town of Paxton , in Berwick
shire, Scotland.
PAYNE. Local. From a place called Payne, in Normandy.
PEABODY. There is an ancient tradition (we give it for what
it is worth ), that this namewas derived from one Boadie,
à kinsman of Queen Boadicea, who assisted her in her re
volt against the Romans. After the Britons were subdued
by the Romans, Queen Boadicea dispatched herself by
poison, and Boadie, with a remnant of the Britons, escaped
to the mountains of Wales. Boadie, among the Cambri or
Britons, signified a man or a great man, and Pea signified a
large hill, a mountain , from which Boadie came to be called
Peabodie, or the Mountain man, which became the name of
the tribe.
. PEACOCK . Taken from the name of the well-known fowl;
paon , - a name given from a fondness of display.
PEARSON or PIERSON. Pierre-son , the son of Pierre or
Peter .
PEDIN . Local. Pedn, Cor. Br., is a hill ; the head of any
thing.
PEEBLES . Local. From the town and shire of Peebles, in
Scotland. Pobl, Welsh , people, and lle, a place; Pobuli,
Gaelic, people, and eis, many ; the place ofmany people.
216 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
PEELE. Local. A tower, a castle, a spire, a steeple, as Carne
pele, the spire rock. Pele, Fr., a bald -pated man .
PELHAM . Local. From the lordship of Pelham , in Hertford
shire, England, either from peele, a tower, castle, or from
pool, a small lake, and ham , a village
PELL, according to Bailey , is a house ; in the Welsh it signi
fies, far off, at a distance.
PELLETIER. (Fr.) A furrier, or skinner.
PELLYN, now PILLINGS. (Cor. Br.) The distant pool
Pyling, an old word denoting a superstructure. .
PENDLETON. Local The summit of the hill,Gaelic, from
pendle, the summit, and dun, a hill. Pen -dal-ton , the town
at the head of the valley.
PENGILLY. (Cor. Br.) The head of the grove.
PENN. (Cor. Br.) The top ofa hill; the head.
PENNANT. (Cor. Br.) From Pen , a head, and nant, a vale,
or dingle ; the head of the dingle ; the principalmansion of
the family, Bychton , in Wales, being situated at the head of
a considerable dingle on the old family estate.
PENNINGTON . Local. Derived from the manor of Pen
nington, in Lancashire, England, anciently Penitone, written
in the Doomsday-Book, Pennegetum .
PENEY. Local A town in Savoy; the head of the water,
from pen and eau ; also a pinnacle. .
PENNY or PINNY. The top of a mountain or hill. A
mountain in Spain is called by the inhabitants “ La Penna
de los Enamorados." or the Lover's Rock . The word has
the same meaning as the English pinnacle .
PENNYMAN or PENNYMON . (Welsh.) Local. Pen -y
mon , the top of the mountain .
 • OF FAMILY NAMES. 217
PERCY, PIERCY, PERCEY. Local. The renowned family
of Percy, of Northumberland, England, derived their name
from Percy Forest, in the Province of Maen, Normandy,
whence they came, which signifies a stony place, from
pierre. It may signify a hunting place, from pirsen, Teu
tonic, to hunt; percer, French,to penetrate, to force one'sway.
PERKINS. From Peir or Peter, and the patronymic or di
minutive termination ins, - little Peter, or the son of Peter.
PERRIGO. Local. From Perigeux, a town of France.
PERRY. If not synonymous with Parry , it is local, from
Pierre (Fr.), a stone, signifying a stony place, abounding
in rocks.
PEVENSEY. Local. A village in Sussex, England,the land
ing place of William the Conqueror, in 1066, derived from
Pau, Welsh , a tract of pasture land, and aven (s), a river,and
aig , the sea, standing at the mouth of a river, near the sea .
The name is also Gaelic, and has the samemeaning. Biad
habhainisg, or Pababhainisg .
PEYTON . Assumed by the proprietors of Peyton,a small
town near Boxford, in Suffolk, England. They were de
scendants of William Mallet, one of the favorites of William •
the Conqueror.
PHELPS. Supposed to be the same as Phillips (which see).
The name may come from the Danish , Hvalp ; Swedish,
Valp, a whelp.
PHILIP. (Greek.) A lover of horses, from píros, and iTTOG.
PHIPPEN. A corruption of Fitz Penn, from the Norman ,
Fitz, a son, and Penn. The son of Penn .
PHYSICK . The art of healing diseases. A name given to a
physician.
PICKERING . Local. A market town of north Yorkshire,
England, with the remains of a castle.
PICKERSGILL. Local. The stream inhabited by pike or
pickerel.
10
218 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
PIERCE . The sameas Piercy or Percy (which see ).
PIERPONT. (Fr.) De Pierre Pont, from the stone bridge ;
in Latin, De Petra Ponte.
PIGGOT and PICKETT. Pitted with the small-pox, spotted
in the face, from the French Picoté.
PIGMAN . A dealer in pigs. A man by the name of John
son, in Staffordshire, England, who followed this occupation,
was generally called Pigman, and he willingly recognized
this cognomen.
PILCHER. A maker of pilches, a kind of great coat or upper
garment, in use in the fourteenth century.
“ After gret heat cometh cold ,
Noman cast his pylch away." - CHAUCER.
PILLINGS. Same as Pellyn (which see).
PITTMAN, PUTMAN. A man living near a well or spring;
Saxon, pit; Danish , put, a well or spring.
PLAYFAIR. Local. The play ground, a place where fairs
were held , and holidays kept.
PLAYSTED. The place appropriated to amusement, or any
exercise intended for pleasure.
PLEASANTS. Local. From a suburb of the city of Edin
burgh, called “ The Pleasants," where anciently was a priory
of nuns, which was dedicated to St. Mary of Placentia , of
which the name “ Pleasants” is a corruption .
PLYMPTON . Local. (Cor. Br.) From Plym , a river, and
ton , a town. The town situated on the river Plym , in Dev
onshire, England.
POLK. An abbreviation of Pollock (which see). Mr. Polk, the
late President, is third in descent from a Mr. Pollock.
POLLARD . A tree having its top cut off; a fish ; Poularde,
French, a fat chicken ; Pol, Dutch, a loose or lewd man,
and ard, disposition. Poule-ard, chicken -hearted.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. . 219
POLLEY. Local. From Poilley, in the province of Orleans,
France,whence the family originally came.
POLLOCK . Local. Derived from the parish of Pollock, in
Renfrewshire, Scotland. The name is from theGaelic Pol
lag, " a little, pool, pit, or pond,” a diminutive of pol, a pool.
It is vulgarly pronounced Pock or Polk. .
POMEROY. (Fr.) Pomme-roi, a kind of apple, the royal
apple, king's apple, or king of apples; a name probably
*given to a gardener for his skill in raising them , or a name .
of place where such apples were raised.
POINDEXTER. (Fr.) The same as Hotspur, or spur the
steed ; poin being derived from pungo , to pierce, to prick ,
and deooter, right, as opposed to left ; a word expressive of
readiness of limbs, adroitness, expertness, and skill.
POITEVIN . A name given to a native of Poitou, France.
POOLE. Local. A small collection of water in a hollow place, . .
supplied by a spring ; a small lake. “ John at the Pool,” be
came" John Pool.” A town in Dorsetshire, England.
POPE. Greek and Latin , Papa, father.
PORCHER. This name originated with Simon Le Porcher,
hereditary grand huntsman to Louis Capel, King of France,
from whose official duty of slaying the boar, the name is
derived.
PORSON . The same as Parson, or a corruption of Power -som
the son of Power.
POWERS. (Welsh.) From Powyr, a descendant of Leod,
who was the father of Mandebrog or Mandubratius.
POWELL. A contraction of the Welsh Ap Howell,the son of
Howell. It may also be deduced from Paul, of which it was
a former orthography :
“ After the text of Crist, and Powel,and Jon."
WRIGHT'S CHAUCER , 7229.
POTTER. One who makes earthen vessels.
POTTINGER .. An apothecary is so called in Scotland.
220 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
POULTON . Local. From the town of Poulton, in Lancashire, .
England, also a place near Marlborough, in Wiltshire, so
called from Pool, a small lake, and ton , a town.
POYNDER. A bailiff, one who distrains.
PRATT. From the Latin Pratum , a meadow . Prat, in the
Dutch, signifies proud, arrogant, cunning.
PRESCOT. (Welsh .) Local. From Prescot, a small town in
England, so called from Prys, a coppice, and cut, a cottage.
PRESSLEY. Local. A coppice, from the Welsh Prys,
shrubs, brushwood ; Gaelic, preas, bushes, shrubs, and te, a
place, meadow or pasture lands.
PRESTON . Local. A town in Lancashire, England. The
town in the coppice, or the bushy hill, from Prys and ton ;
also, Preston , the town where brass is found or manufac
tured, froin Pres,brass, Welsh .
PRICE . (Welsh.) A corruption of Ap Rice, the son of Rice.
PRICHARD . (Welsh.) A contraction of Ap Richard , the
son of Richard .
PRIDEAUX. (Fr.) From Presd'eaux, near the water.
PRINDLE. A croft or small field.
PRINGLE. Local. Prencyll,a hazel-wood, from pren , Welsh,
a wood, and cyll or coll, hazel. Pringle, an obsolete Scottish
coin .
PRODGERS, PROGERS, or PROGER. A contraction of Ap
Roger, the son of Roger.
PROVOOST or PROOST. A name of office, a president of a
college ; the chiefmagistrate of a city.
PUGH or PYE. A contraction of Ap Hugh, the son of Hugh,
“ u” having in Welsh the sound of " y.”
PUTNAM . (Dutch.) From Put or Putten , a well, and ham ,
a house or town. Welltown, or the house by the well.
PUTZKAMMER . (Ger.) A dressing-chamber, a room for
dress and ornaments; a ciamberlain .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 221
PYE. A contraction of Ap Hugh (see Pugh); also , a bird ;
there was an old sign of a pye over an inn in London called
Pye Corner.
QUACKENBOSS. (Dutch.) Quickenbosch , a thicket, a grove
of roan-tree, mountain -ash , a species of service -tree .
QUENTIN or QUINTIN . From the Latin Quintus, " the
fifth ,” a name given to the fifth son. Quentin , a town in
Cotes du Nord, France, so called from St. Quentin ,who died
there.
QUIGLY. Gaelic, Cuigealach, of or belonging to a distaff or
hand rock ; perhaps a thrifty person, or from resembling a
distaff in bodily peculiarity.
QUIN . Local. From Quin ,a village in Clare county, Ireland.
RADCLIFF . Local. A place in Lancashire, England, so
called from a cliff of red rock.
RADFORD. (Cor. Br.) The fern way.
RADLAND. (Cor. Br.) The fern land.
RADNOR . (Cor. Br.) The enclosure offerns.
RAFFLES. (Danish .) From Raefel, long-lubber, lath -back,
inactive, sluggish .
RAINSFORD. Local. A corruption of Ravensford.
RALEIGH. Rhawlaw , in the Welsh, signifies a lieutenant, a
vicar ; and Rheoli,to govern, to rule. It may be local, from
Ral, Raoul or Ralph, and leigh, or ley ,a field or place.
RALPH . (Sax.) From Rad, counsel, and ulph ,help, French ,
Raoul, Latin , Rodolphus,a helper, a counselor.
RALSTON . Local. Ralph, one of the descendants of Mao
shire, and, as was common in those days, called he place
after himself, Ralphstown, which was softened into Ralston .
· RAMAGE. Branches of trees ; a coppice where birds sing.
 222 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
RAMSEY. Local. From Ea, Saxon, water, or an isle, and
Ram , Ram 's Islė, a place in Huntingdonshire, England ;
where the family originated, and afterward settled in Scot
land. Ramus, Latin , branches, young trees — the isle of un
derbrush , branches, or young trees; a place where cattle
browse. Reomasey , Saxon, from Reoma, the rim , edge, ex
tremity , a border, and ey, an island.
RAMSDEN . (Sax.) Local. The winding valley, or the ex
tremity of the valley .
RAN . (Sax.) Pure, clear.
RAND. (Dutch .) The border, a borderer. .
RANDAL, RANDOLPH, or RANDULPH . (Sax.) These
names have the same signification . Fair-help, from Ran ,

à point or promontory. Rand, Danish , the rim , border,

edge.
RANKIN . This namemay be derived from the Danish Rank,
right, upright, erect. If the name is Gaelic, it would come
from Roinn, a promontory, share, or division, and Ceann,
head ; the head of the promontory, a name of place. Ran
ken , in the Dutch, signifies pranks, tricks.
RANNEY. Local. Renaix , Reinow , or Ronais, a town of
Switzerland. René (Latin, renatus), renewed, born again,
regenerated.
RANSOM , RANSOME. The price paid for redemption from
captivity or punishment.
RATHBONE . (Sax.) An early gift.
RAPP. Rap, in Danish, is swift,nimble. Rap, Dutch,nimble,
quick ; “ rap gasten,” a nimble fellow .
· RAWDON. Local. From the lands of Royden, near Leeds
in Yorkshire, England.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 223

RAWLEY. (Welsh.) Rhawlaw,a vicar. (Evans.)

RAWLINGS. From Raoul, French for Ralph, and the pa
tronymic termination ings ;-— Ralph's son.
RAWLINSON, The son of Rawlings.
RAWSON. A corruption of Ravenson , or itmay be Ralph's
son .
RAY. This name may have several origins. Ruadh and
moon. Ray, a beam of light, luster. Re, from ruo, to rush ,
applied to a stream , rapids,whence the river Reay, in Caith
Welsh , a run, Rhedu, to run. Rhae, Welsh , a battle, the
place of a battle ; a chain .
RAYMER. (Dutch.) Roemur, onewho extols, praises,boasts.
Raumer,German, a person employed in clearing orcleaning.
RAYMOND. (Teut.) From Rein , pure, and mund,mouth ;
pure mouth , one who abstains from wanton discourses.
Raymund, German , quiet peace.
RAYNER. (Danish .) Raner, a leader of the Danes, who in
vaded Britain ; a pirate,a robber, a term given to a warrior.
RECORD . The same as Rikerd, or Richard, of which it is a
corruption, liberal-hearted, rich in disposition.
REDDEN or RODDEN . Local. (Cor. Br.) A place of ferns.
Rodon, a town in Bretagne, France .
REDDENHURST. Local. Reddon , Cor. Br., fern, and hurst,
Saxon , a wood or grove.
REED and READ. (Sax.) From Rede, advice, counsel, help,
or from the fenny plant, a reed.
REESE, RHEESE. (Cor. Br.) Pushing, violent; a strong or
powerfulman . Riese, in German, signifies a giant. Welsh,
Rhys, a rushing. Rees, a town of Germany, on the Rhine.
224 ETYMOI OGICAL DICTIONARY
REEVES. From Reeve, a bailiff, provost, or steward , Shire
• reeve, Wood -reeve, (Sheriff, Woodruff.) .
REINARD and REYNARD. (Teut. or Sax.) From Rein,
"pure, and ard,nature, disposition ; honest, incorrupt.
REINHART.' (Dutch.) A pure heart, from rein,pure.
RENARD. (Fr.) A fox, cunning.
RETZ. Local. A town in Moravia. . .
REYNOLDS. (Sax.) Sincere or pure love from , Rhein ,pure,
and hold, the old English for love. It also may signify
strong or firm hold .
REYNOLDSON . The son of Reynolds.
RHEFELDT. The deer-field , from the Dutch rhee, a roe, and
feldt, a field .
RHODES. Local: From the island of Rhodes, in theMediter
ranean Sea. Rhodes, a town in Guienne, France.
RIAN. Gaelic, Ria , a provincial chief. Rian,manner, order,
arrangement, sobriety , good disposition .
RICE . Another form of Rys, Welsh,to rush , a rushing ; figur
atively, a hero, a brave, impetuous man. The same as

RICH . Wealthy, opulent; anciently, great, noble, powerful.

RICHARD or RICARD. (Sax.) Of a powerful, rich, or gen
erous disposition, from ric, rich , and ard, nature or disposi
tion.
RICHARDSON. The son of Richard.
RICHMOND. (Sax.) Foom ric, rich, and mund, mouth
rich -mouth ; figuratively, eloquent.
RICKETTS. A corruption of Ricurds, from Richard (which
see).
RIDDELL . Local. From lands in the county of Yorkshire,
formerly called the Ryedales.
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 225
RIDDER and RITTER. The same as Ruyter, a 'knight, a
chevalier.
RIGGS. From the Danish rig, wealthy, rich ; or the name
may be local, and denoting a steep elevation, a range of
hills, or the upper part of such a range.
RING . (Dutch.) Local. A Canton ; a district of an eccle
siastical congregation .
RINGE. (Danish.) Mean, low , small, little; a ring, circle.
Local, a round place .
RINGGOLD. (Welsh.) Local. Rhingol, a cleft, cliff, or
- steep bank.
RIPLEY. Local. A market-town in west Yorkshire, Eng
land,from the Saxon rypan, to divide or separate,and ley,
uncultivated lands, a pasture.
ROBERTS. (Sax.) From Rod , counsel, and bert or bericht,
bright or famous- famous in counsel ,
ROBY. (Danish .) From Ro, rest, repose, and by, a town ,
the peaceful town.
ROCHESTER. Local. From a city in Kent, England, so
called from Roche, French, a rock, and chester, from the
Latin castrum , a city or castle ; an uneven, rough, and stony
place. Reoh, Saxon , and Rauh,German, signify rough , rug
ged, uneven. (See Chester.)
ROCHFORT. Local. A townof France— “ the strong rock."
ROE. (Gaelic.) Red-haired . Nor. Fr., Rou, Rufus.
ROEMER. (Dutch.) From Roem , glory,renown; a praiser,
a boaster.
ROGER. (Teutonic.) Rhu, rest, quiet, peace , and gard , a
keeper ; or Rhu-geren, one desirous of rest ; Rodgarus, all
counsel or strong counsel.
ROLAND, ROLLIN , and RODLAND. (Sax.) Counsel for
the land.
20*
226 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
ROMAINE. The same as Roman, from Rome; also, strong.
ROMANNO. Local. From lands in the county of Peebles,
Scotland , so called from a Roman military way, leading from
the famous Roman camp at Line to the Lothians, which
passed through the middle of those lands, from which they
were called Romanno.
ROOF. Probably the same as Reeve, an officer or steward .
Ruf,German, reputation , famous, renowned.
ROORBACK . (Dutch.) Noisy brook. A town in Bavaria,
Germany.
ROOT. Local. A place lying low , the base, foot, or bottom
of a mountain, the lower part of land.
ROSENCRANS. (Danish.) Rosenkrands, a garland of roses ;
in Dutch , the place of rose-trees.
ROSEVELDT. (Dutch .) The field of roses.
ROSS. (Gaelic.) Local. A shire of Scotland Ros, a penin
sula, an isthmus, a promontory. Rhos, in Welsh, is a moor,
a bog . Ros, in Cor. Br., is a mountain , a meadow , a com
mon. Rose and Rosh signify a valley or dale between hills.
ROSWELL Rosveldt, the rose -field ; Rosville, the town on
the heath or promontory.
ROTH. (German.) Red color.
ROTHSCHILD or ROSCHILD . From a town in Denmark,
which is said to take its name from a river with which it is
watered that drives several mills. Roe, in the ancient
Danish language, signifies a king, and kille, a stream of
water or brook , ė. e., the king's brook. Some have given
the signification “ Red -shield" to thename, from Roth, red.
ROUSE. (Fr.) Red, red-haired , sameas Rufus.
ROUSSEAU. (Fr.) One having reddish hair, carrot color.
Ruisseau, local, a brrok .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 227 .
ROWE. Local. A river that overflows its banks. Rowe,
Rue, Fr., a street; Roe, Gaelic, red-haired.
ROWEL. Local. From the river Rouel, in the Netherlands.
ROWEN . Local. A town in Bohemia ; Rouen , a town in
France; Rowan, a tree, themountain -ash .
ROWLE. (Cor. Br.) Rule, order, law ; Rheol, Welsh, rule,
law .
ROWLEY. (Sax.) Local. From Row , sweet or pleasant,
and ley, a field.
ROWNTREE. Rowan -tree, the mountain -ash , so named from
that kind of tree growing near the premises.
ROY. (Gaelic.) Ruadh, Roe, Roy ; red-haired ; also Roye, a
town in England. Roi, French , king, whence Le Roy.
RUFUS. (Fr.) Red, from the color of the hair.
RUE . Local. From Reaux, in Hainault, Netherlands. Fr.,
Rue, a street.
RUGGLES. Local. A town of France, on the Eure . .
RUNDELL. A contraction of Arundle (which see ). Rundle
also signifies a sparrow .
RUNNION or RUNON. (Gaelic.) A small hill,
RUSBRIDGE. Local. From the town of Rousbrugge, in
Germany.
RUSS. A Russian, so called in Holland.
RUSSELL. (Fr.) " Red -haired , somewhat reddish ; carrot
color.
RUSSEY. Local. A town in Doubs, France.
RUTGERS. (Dutch.) Rudgert, the same as Roger, quiet,
tranquil; one desirous of rest, a keeper of rest ; Rodgarus,
strong counsel.
228. ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

RUTHERFORD. Local. From the lands of Rutherford on

the river Tweed, in the parish of Maxton, Roxburgshire,
Scotland. The name is derived from the Welsh Ruthr,
• rushing, swift, and fford, a ford or way .
RUTHVEN . From the lands and barony of Ruthven, in
Perthshire, Scotland ; a river of the same name; “ Ruithab
hainn," i. e., the rushing or swift stream .
RUYTER . A knight or chevalier, in the Dutch or German ,
and sometimes written Ritter, having the same signification
as the English Rider.
RYDER . A forest officer, being mounted , and having the
supervision of a large district. In theballad of William of
Cloudesly, the king, rewarding the dexterity of the archer
who shot the apple from his child's head, says:
" I give thee eightene pence a day,
And my bowe thou shalt bere ;
And over all the north countre .
I make thee chyfe rydere."
RYE. (French .) Local. From Rive, a coast, a shore, a bank,
border.
KYNDERS . Local. A town in North Jutland ; the same as
Rander.

SACKVILLE . A corruption of the Latin De Sicca villa , that

is, from the dry town.
SAFFORD. Local. A corruption of Seaford, a town of Sus
sex , England .
SALES. Sahl, or saal, in German, signifies a hall or court.
French, salle. The name may be local, and derived from
the river Sale, in France, or Saal, a river in Bavaria.
SALISBURY or SARISBURY. (Sax.) Local. A city and
capital of Wiltshire,England. The town of health ; the dry
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 229
town. The old town of Salisbury anciently stood upon a
hill where there was no water, but it is now situated in a
valley, and a little brook runs through the streets . The
name was sometimes written Salusbury, that is, the healthy
hill or town.
SALTER. A name of trade, one who sells salt. . .
SANDFORD. Local. From Sandford , a place in Westmore
land, England — thesand-ford.
SANDS. (Danish.) Sense, wit ; or it may be from Sand,
: Sandy, a Scottish abbreviation of Alexander.
SANGSTER. (Scottish.) A song-maker or singer.
• Poitou, France.
SATERLEE . Local. A place in England where Saturn was
worshiped by the pagan Saxons.
SAXE. A Saxon, so called in Holland. In Athelstan 's song
of victory , given in the Saxon Chronicles, A.D. 938, secce sig
nifies a fight; secga , a warrior ; seas or secce, a sword, any
sharp instrument. Latin , sica , a dagger.
SAXTON . An under officer of the church, the same as Sexton.
Local, Sax -town, a town of the Saxons.
SCARBOROUGH. (Sax.) Local. From the seaport and
borough of Scarborough, in Yorkshire, England, from scear,
a sharp rock or hill, and burgh, a town or fort; literally , a
hill, from bergh. The town or fort on or by the sharp
peaked rocks.
SCARRET. Local. Scear, a rocky cliff. Scarard , the high
cliff ; Leskerret, a market-town in Cornwall, England. The
old part of the town stands upon rocky heights.
SCARDSDALE . A valley in Devonshire, England, so called
· from the Saxon scearres, indented or sharp disjointed rocks
· called scars, and dale, a valley. .
230 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
SCHAFFER. (Dutch.) He that dishes up or provides vic
tuals. Shaffer, German , a shepherd, a pastor, a swain .
SCHELL. (Old English.) A spring.
SCHELLDEN . (Old English.) The spring in the valley, from
schell, a spring, and dene, a valley. Skell is also a wel, in
the old northern English.
SCHENCK . (Ger.) From schenke, an inn or public house ; a
name of place .
SCHERMERHORN . (Dutch ) From Shermer, a fencer, and
hoorn, a horn, which emblematically expresses strength or
power.
SCHOONHOVEN . (Dutch.) From the name of a town in
South Holland, and signifies fine gardens or courts, from
schoon , beautiful,and hof, plural, hoven , gardens or courts.
SCHOONMAKER. (Dutch.) From Schoenmaker, a shoe
maker.
SCHUYLER . (Dutch.) Van Schuyler, from the place of
shelter. Schuiler, a hider ; Schuil, a shelter, a hiding
place. Schuler, German, a scholar.
SCOTT. A native of Scotland. Nennius uses both Scythee
and Scotti indifferently . Strabo considers Scythe and No
mades synonymous terms. The original word in Ossian is
Scuta , which literally signifies " restless wanderer,” hence
the propriety of the name. Scuite or Scot.
SCRANTON . (Dutch .) From schrantsen , to tear, seize, or
break , so named, perhaps, from his warlike propensities.
SCROGGS. Local. From Scrog, a stunted shrub, bush , or
branch , given probably from the location of the dwelling.
SEAFORD. Local. From a seaport town of that name in
Sussex, England.
SEAFORTH . Local. The name of a projection of the sea on
the east coast of Lewis, on the Long Island, Scotland — “ the } .
rth or frith of the sea."
 OF FAMILY NAMES, 231

SEAVER. (Gaelic.) Saibher, rich ; Sever, local, a town in

France.
SEAMAN. A sailor, one who follows the sea.
SEARS. (Cor. Br.) . From sair, a carpenter or sawyer ;
Welsh, saer ; Gaelic, saor, a carpenter.
SEATON . Local. That is, sea-town , a parish in Perthshire,
formerly called Errol. (See Seton.)
SEBRIGHT. From Se, Saxon , used the same as the article
the, and bright. The illustrious, the renowned .

SEDGWICK . The town or harbor abounding with sedge,

wick , a town or harbor.
SEGUR. (Ger.) Powerful, victorious, from sieg, victory.
Dutch , zege.
SEIX. Local. A town in Arriege, France.
SELBY. Local. A market-town in west Yorkshire, England,
on the Ouse. Danish , Seile, to sail, to navigate, and by, a
town. Seil, a sail. A place ofboats or sails.
SELKIRK . Local. A borough town of Scotland. Cellkirk,
a religious house. A cell was anciently that part of a tem
ple within the walls. Sel-carrik, Cor. Br., the high rock ;
Sel, a view , a prospect, Welsh, syllu , to look, and carrik or
craig, a rock.
SELLENGER . A corruption of St. Leger, and that from St. .
Leodeger.
SELLICK. (Cor. Br.) Local. A name of place, and signifies
in open view , remarkable, conspicuous. Crugsetlick , in
Verian , the barrow in open view, from sel, a view .
SEMARD. A corruption of St.Medard .
SEMPLE or SIMPLE . A corruption of St. Paul.
232 ETYMOLOGICĂL DICTIONARY
SETON . Local. From lands of that name in Haddingtonshire,
Scotland, which were so called because the town thereof
the family of Seton, so renowned in Scottish annals.
SEVERN. Local. A river rising in themountain Plynlimmon ,
in Wales .
SEVERINS. Local. Mountains in Languedoc , France.
SEWARD. High admiral, who kept the sea against pirates,
.. from sea, and ward , a keeper.
SEWALL and SEWELL . Probably from sea and wall, a
structure of stone or other materials intended for a defense
or security against the sea. This name, though seemingly
local, may have various significations; suil,in the Gaelic, is
a willow ; suail, small, inconsiderable. Su, south , and wold ,
· wald ,wild , well, an uncultivated place, a wood , a plain , a
lawn, hills without wood : Suwold, Suwall, Suwell.
SEYMOUR. A corruption of St. Maurus.
SHADDOCK or SCHADECK . Local. The name of a lord
· ship in Germany."
SHAN . (Celtic.) 'Old ; shanty, an old house. "
SHANACH. (Gaelic.) Sionnach,a fox.
SHANE. The Celtic for John. .
SHANNON. (Gaelic.) From the Shannon, a river of Ireland.
The tranquil, gentle river, from sen, gentle, and abhain , a
river. Shan -eon , the tranquil river. S before a vowel, in
the Gaelic , has the sound of sh . The river Seine, in France,
has the same signification . Shanon — the ancient river, from

SHAW . (Scotch.) A lawn, a plain surrounded by trees, or an

open space between woods.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 233
SHELDOŅ. (Cor. Br.) Local. The spring in thu valley,
from schell, a spring, and dene, a small valley.
SHELLEY. Local. Derived from Shelley , in Essex, Suffolk ,
and Yorkshire, England, from Schell, a spring, and ley, a
field .
SHEPPY. Local. From an island in the county of Kent, so
called from the Saxon Sceap-Ed, or Sceap-Igė, that is, the
Sheep's Isle, because sheep abundantly multiplied there ;
called also Ovini, from the Latin ovis, a sheep .
SHERARD . Said to be derived from one Scirrard, who came
with William the Conqueror, and obtained lands in Chester
and Lancaster, England. As a localname, it may signify in
Anglo Saxon, a high cliff ; rocky heights, from Scearard.
SHERLOCK . (Gaelic.) From Saor, pronounced as with " L"
after the “ S,” signifying clear, and loch , a lake, the clear
lake.
SHERMAN. A shearman, one who used to shear cloth .
“ Villain , thy father was a plasterer, and thou thyself a shearman."
. Stafford to Jack Cade. Shaks. Henry VI.
SHERWOOD. From the Saxon sher (scir ), clear, and wood, a
clearing in the wood, or the cleared woods; or as Bailey gives
the word , " Sheer -wood , in Nottinghamshire.” It may be
derived from shire, (Sax.) scire, (Ger.) schier, to divide, a
· portion or division of land ; of which divisions there are
forty in England, twelve in Wales, and twenty-four in Scot
land.
SHIEL. Local. A river and loch or lake, in the south -west
of Inverness-shire, Scotland. Shiels were shepherd's huts, a
term used by the Northumbrian Saxons, to denote the tem
porary shelters ofshepherds.
SHOLTIS. (Ger.) Schultheiss,a mayor,magistrate.
SHORT. Alluding to stature, not tall.
234 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
SHREWSBURY. Local. A town in Shropshire, England,
from the Saxon Scrube, a shrub, a small tree, and burgh, a
town.
SHRIEVES. A sheriff, from scir and reeve,the bailiff of a
shire or division . The shire-reeve.
SHUCK . (Dutch .) Signifies-twelve or a dozen , and is ap
plied to sheaves in a harvest field.
SHUCKBURGH. Local. A place in Warwickshire, England.
From Saxon, soc, an immunity, privilege, baronial or royal
court, and burgh, a town or city — a privileged place, or
place possessing a particular court or jurisdiction. ·
SHURTLIFF. Local. The “ short cliff;" separated , cut off,
from the Saxon,sceort,short,and cliff.
SHUTE . Local. From the castle of Shute, in . Normandy,
France.
SIDDONS. (Welsh.) From syddyn , a farm - a farmer.
SIGURD. The sameas Segur, powerful.
SIKES. Local. A small spring well.
SIMEON . (Heb.) Hearing.
SIMMONS. A corruption of Simeon or Simon.
SIMS. A contraction of Simeon or Simon, the son of Sim .
SINCLAIR . · A corruption of St. Clair, and that from St.
Clara, from the Latin clarus, pure, renowned, illustrious.
SINGEN and SINDEN . A corruption of St. John, which is
generally pronounced Singen . .
SISSON . Local. Derived from Sissonne, a town in France.
SKEFFINGTON. (Sax.) Local. From sceap, a sheep , and
ton , a town. The sheep -town . The nameof a small village
in England.
SKELTON. (Sax.) Local. The hill of separation or bound
ary .
 OF FAMILY NAMES . · 235
e their names,asit is said,a sket Forest,
SKENE. Some derive their names,as well as their arms, from
some considerable action, and thus, it is said, a second son
of one Struan Robertson, for killing a wolf in Stocket Forest,
Athol, Scotland, with a dirk, in the king's presence, got the
name of Skene, which signifies a dirk, Gaelic, Sgian, and
three dirk -points in pale for his arms. Skians, Cor. Brit.,
implies witty, skillful, knowing
SKIDMORE or SCUDMORE. (Cor. Br.) From scoudh, or
scuth, the shoulders, and mor, big , large. — Broad shoulders.
Scheidmuur, Dutch, a partition or division wall. .
SLACK . Local. A valley, or small shallow dell.
SLADE. Local. A long ilat piece or slip of ground between
hills. -
SLAVEN . (Celtic.) From sliabh,a mountain,a mountaineer.
SLEEPER . (Dutch.) A cartman , or one who carries goods
on a sledge.
SMITH . The most common of all surnames, and might of
itself furnish matter enough for a volume. The word is de
rived from the Anglo -Saxon Smitan , to smite or strike.
" From whence 'comes Smith , all be he knight or squire,
But from the Smith that forgeth at the fire ?”
VERSTEGAN .

Among the Highland clans, the smith ranked third in dignity.

to the chief, from his skill in fabricating military weapons,
and his dexterity in teaching the use of them .
In Wales there were three sciences which a villain (tenant)
could not teach his son without the consent of his lord,
Scholarship , Bardism , and Smithcraft. This was one of the
liberal sciences, and the term had a more comprehensive
sense than we give to it at this time. The smith must have
united in this profession , different branches of knowledge
which are now practiced separately, such as raising the ore,
converting it into metal, etc.
236 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
The term was originally applied to artificers in wood as well
as metal, in fact, to all mechanical workmen , which accounts
for the great frequency of the name.
The New York City Directory for 1856 (in which the names
of the heads of families only, are given ,) contains the names
of more than eighteen hundred Smiths, ofwhom seventy
four are plain James Smiths,and one hundred and seventeen ,
John Smiths!
We see in the papers, that John Smith dies, is married , hanged ,
drowned, and brutally murdered, daily ! John Smith doesn't
identify anybody, and is therefore no name at all.
This numerous family is the subject of many laughable anec
dotes and witty sallies. A wag, on a certain occasion,
coming late to the theater, and wishing to get a seat,
shouted at the top of his voice, “ Mr. Smith's house is on
fire !" The house was thinned five per cent., and theman
ofhumor found a snug seat.
In many neighborhoods the name is so frequent that it is neces
sary to append some soubriquet to identify the person.
“ Can you tellmewhere Mr. Smith lives,mister ?” “ Smith
Smith - what Smith ? there are a good many of that name
in these parts — my name is Smith .” “ Why, I don 't know
his t'other name, but he's a sour, crabbed sort of fellow , and
they call him ‘Crab Smith.'” “ Oh, the deuce! s'pose I'm
the man .” .
But the best piece of humor relating to the name is the fol
lowing which we take from Lower, which appeared some
years since in the newspapers, under the title of
“ THE SMITHS.
“ Some very learned disquisitions are just now going on in the
journals touching the origin and extraordinary extension of
the family of the Smiths.'
“ Industrious explorers after derivatives and nominal roots, they
say, would find in the name of John Smith a world of mys
tery ; and a philologist in the Providence Journal, after
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 237
having written sone thirty columns for the enlightenment
of the public thereanent, has thrown down his pen , and de
clared the subject exhaustless. .
“ From what has hitherto been discovered, it appears that the
great and formidable family of the Smiths are the veritable
descendants, in a direct line, from Shem , the son of Noah ,
the father of the Shemitish tribe, or the tribe of Shem ; and
it is thus derived — Shem , Shemit, Shmit, Smith . Another
learned pundit, in the Philadelphia Gazette, contends for the
universality of the name John Smith , not only in Great Britain
and America,but among all kindred and nations on the face
of the earth. Beginning with the Hebrew ,he says, the He
brews had no Christian names, consequently they had no
Johns, and in Hebrew the name stood simply Shem or
Shemit ; but in the other nations John Smith is found at
full, one and indivisible . Thus, Latin , Johannes Smithius ;
Italian, Giovanni Smithi; Spanish , Juan Smithas; Dutch,
Hans Schmidt ; French , Jean Smeets ; Greek, 'Iov Ecuítov ;
Russian , Jonloff Skmittowski; Polish , Ivan Schmittiwciski ;
Chinese, Jahon Shimmit; Icelandic, Jahne Smithson ;
Welsh , lihon Schmidd ; Tuscarora , Ton Qa Smittia ; Mex
ican , Jontli F'Smitti.
“ And then, to prove the antiquity of the name, the same
savant observes, that among the cartouches deciphered by
Rosselini, on the temple of Osiris in Egypt, was found the
name of Pharaoh Smithosis, being the ninth in the eight
eenth dynasty of Theban kings. He was the founder of the
celebrated temple of Smithopolis Magna.' We heartily con
gratulate the respectable multitude of the Smiths on these
profound researches — researches which bid fair to explode
the generally received opinion that the great family of the
Smiths were the descendants of mere horse -shoers and
hammer -men !”
SNELL. (Dutch.) Snel,agile, swift nimble.
SNODGRASS. Local. Grass trimmed and smooth ; short
grass
238 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
SNOW : "(Dutch.) From Snoo, cunning, subtle, crafty, sly.
SNYDER. (Ger.) From schneider,a tailor.
SOLDEN. Local. A town in Westphalia, Germany. .
SOMER. Alluvial land. Gaelic and Welsh , so for swl or sal,
- soil,and mer, a lake,water, the sea.
SOMERVILLE. The village near.a marsh or lake; So mer, a
marshy soil, near water or the sea . So, for swl, sal, the
earth , soil, land. Samhradh, Gaetic, summer, from Samh,
the sun. Somerset may have been so called because the
primitive inhábitants had an altar to the sun, samh, or
because the country lay to the south .
SOMMER. (Fr.) From sommer, to sum or cast up ; one who
directs or commands. Summere, Dan., to sum up.
SOULÈ. Local. A small territory in France, between Bearn
and the Lower Navarre.
SOUTHCOTE . The south cot ; so East-cott and West-cott. ::
SOUTHWELL. Local. A town in Nottinghamshire, Eng
land. The south well or plain .
SPALDING. Local. From the town of Spalding, in Lincoln
shire, England. Spalding, a ravine, from the German spalte,
a ravine .
SPARK . To disperse, to scatter, to sparkle.
SPAAREN . Local. A river in North Holland.
SPELMAN . (Danish.) From Spillemand, a fiddler. Spille,
to game, to play.
SPENCE . An abbreviation of Spencer.
SPENCER . (Nor. Fr.) Le Despenser, a steward. The an
cestor of the family assumed the name Le Despenser (Latin ,
dispensator), from being steward to the household of Wil
liam the Conqueror.
SPICER . A name of trade, a grocer.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 239

SPIEGEL. (Dutch.) A looking-glass.

SPIER . Spere, to ask , to inquire ; a word used formerly iu
Scotland and the north of Ireland. The namemay be from
spear, a long-pointed weapon used in war, and given for
some exploit in battle, or taken from a sign over an inn.
" John at the Spear.”
SPINK. A bird, a finch.
SPOOR. (Dutch.) A spur; that which excites; a locality, as
the spur of a mountain ; whatever projects ; the track or
foot-prints of beasts.
SPOTTEN . (Ger.) Tomock, deride, ridicule.
SPRAGUE . From Spraak, Dutch, speech, language, - figura
tively, eloquent.
ST. ALBANS. Local. A town in Hertfordshire, England, so
named from a Pagan deity, Alban, which name signifies a
high hill, the Verulam of the Romans. Offa dedicated a
church to Alban, the proto-martyr of Britain , in the time
of Diocletian . .
STAATS. Staats is the nick -name in Dutch for Eustace, or
Eustatius, which is derived from the Greek kų , and lotnui,
well-established, firm , unyielding.
STACY. A seeming form of the Latin Statius, from Sto, to
stand, stationed , standing still, fixed.
STAINES. An old word for stones ; a market town in Mid
dlesex, England. .
STAIR . Local. (Gaelic.) Stepping stones in a river ; a path
made over a bog.
STAIRN . (Gaelic.) Din,noise. Styrn, Saxon , stubborn , se
vere.
STALKER. A fowler who goes warily and softly in pursuit
of his game; one who walks on stilts over ditches in pursuit
ofmise form onewho
of moor-fowl.
 240 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
" The fowler is employed bis Fimed twigs to set ,
Oze underneath. Lis borse to get a sboot doth starting
Another Oret dykes upon his stults doth walk " - DRATTON. .
STANHOPE. Local From the town of Stanbope, in the
barric ofDream Eagsod Fromn sian , Stone, and hope,
the side of a , or low ground amid bills.
STANLEY. Local A market-town in Gloucestershire, Eng
land. The place of a tán mine, stan, tin , Welsh , ystaer , and
ley ; or from the Saxon : stan , a stone, and ley — the stony
place.
STANTON. From stan,a stone, and ton , a hill or town
STANWOOD. (Saxon.) From stan, a stone, and wood — the
stony wood
STAPLETON . (Saxon.) From stapel, stapol, stapula, a staple,
fastening, stake, and ton , a town inclosed or fenced round
with stakes.
STARK . Anglo Saxon, Starc, German Starck. strong, firm ,
confirmed to the utmost degree.
STARKEY. Strong ofbody, from Stark.
STARR. (Ger.) Stiff, rigid, inflexible.
STEAD. A place enclosed, a station or standing place. Stad,
and stede, in Dutch, signifies a town.
STEANE or STEEN. (Danish and Dutch.) A stone.
STEARNS or STERN . Severe in look, harsh , bold . Stierne,
Danish , a star.
STEBBINS or STUBBINS. Local. From a town of the
same name called Stebbings, originally Stubing, in Essex,
England. So called from stub, Saxon, styobe, Latin stipes,
the stump of a tree,and ing, a field or meadow .
STEELE . A name given, in all probability , to a person who
vas inflexible, hard , firm , or enduring.

b
 .. OF FAMILY NAMES. 241
STEIN . Local. A town in the isle of Sky, Scotland. Stein ,
• German and Danish , a stone.
STELL. (Ger.) A place, station, office.
STEMME. (Dan .) Voice, vote, suffrage ; also to tune, to
agree, to accord .
STENNETT. (Dan.) Local. From stenet, stony, rocky.
STETSON . Stedson, in Danish, is a stepson . .
STEVENS. From Stephen, from theGreek Etébūvos,a crown.
STEWART. Walter, the son of Fleance, and grand-son of
Banquo, wås created, by Malcom III. Lord High Steward
of Scotland, from which office his family afterward took and .
retained the name of Stewart,and from them descended the
royal family of. Stuart.
STILL. Quiet, calm , silent. , A vessel used in the distillation
of liquors. " John at the Still.”
STIMANDS. (Dan.) From Stimand, a robber, highwayman.
STIRLING . Local. From the city of Stirling, the Gaelic
name of which is Strila , by some supposed to signify " the
place of strife,” from Stri-thralla .
A Mr. Stirling, who was minister of the barony church ofGlas
gow , during the warmaintained against the insatiable am
bition of Louis XIV., in that part of his prayer which re
lated to public affairs, used to beseech the Lord that he
would take the haughty tyrant of France, and shake him
over the mouth of hell , “ but good Lord,” added the worthy
man , “ dinna let him fa ' in ." This curious prayer having
been mentioned to Louis, he laughed heartily at this new
and ingenious method of punishing ambition , and frequently
afterward gave as a toast, “ The good Scotch parson.”
STOCKER. One who stocks, stores, or supplies. Stalker, one
who stalks, a fowler who goes warily and softly in pursuit
of his game.
11
242 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
STOCKING . Local. From Stoc, Saxon, a place, and ing, low
land, a meadow .
STOCKTON. Local. A town in Durham , on the Tees, Eng
land, from stoke, a place, a settlement, and ton , a town.
STODDARD. Concerning the origin of this name there is
a tradition , that the first of the family came over with
William the Conqueror, as standard -bearer to Viscompte De
Pulesdon, a noble Norman, and that the name is derived
from the office of a standard -bearer, and was anciently writ
ten De La Standard, corrupted to Stodard or Stodart.
STOKES. Local.' A parisk in Buckinghamshire ; also, towns
in Suffolk and Gloucestershire, England. The name signifies
a place, a settlement. Stuge, Danish, a ravine.
STOKESBY or STUKEBY. Local. Stugeby, the village in
the ravine.
STONE. Local. A town in England. The namewas proba
bly given to an individual who resided near or by some re
markable stone, or at a place called Stone. “ Will at the
Stone."
STORR. (Dan.) From storre, greater, larger, stout, strong.
STOUGHTON . Local. This family derive its name from
Stoche or Stoke, a place in Surrey, England, and tun , a word
signifying an inclosure.
STOVER . (Dan.) A fleet hound, a name given for swiftness
or love of hunting.
STOWE. A fixed place ormansion ; a town,a garrison .
STRACHAN . (Gaelic.) Local. From the parish of Strachan
in Kincardineshire, Scotland, formerly Strathaen . The
name may come from stra or strath , a vale, from the root
strath, a valley, through which a river runs, and chan or
ceann, the head,meaning " the head of the valley," or " a
little valley,” from Strathan .
 . .OF FAMILY NAMES. 243
· STRAIN . Local. A town in the north of Scotland, written
· Strane. It may be a contraction of Strachan, a little strath
or valley.
STRATTON, STRETTON . (Cor. Br.) Local. The hill full
of fresh springs.
STRICKLAND. This name came from Strick -land or Stirk
land, that is, “ the pasture ground of young cattle,” called
stirks or steers, in the parish of Moreland, Westmoreland Co.,
· England, where-the family once had considerable posses
sions.
STRINGER. One who made or fitted the strings to the bows
in the time of archery .
“ In war if a string break, the man is lost and is no man, and
his weapon is gone, and although he have two strings put on
at once,yet he shall have small leisure and less room to bend
his bow , therefore, God send us good stringers both for war
and peace.” — ASCHAM .
STRYKER. (Dan.) From strige, to strike, to roam , to travel,
hence a worker at a trade, a traveler.
STUKLEY or STUKLY. (Gaelic.) Local. From stuc, a lit
tle hill jutting out from a greater, a cliff, and ley, a place.
Stugley, Danish, a ravine, a place near a cliff.
STYLES. A very common name“ At the Style” — John Atte
Style — John Styles. (See Noakes.)
SULLIVAN. (Celtic.) From suil, eye, and ban, fair — the
fair-eyed.
SULLY. (Fr.) Local. From the town of Sully, in the prov
ince of Orleans, France.
SULT. (Gaelic.) Suilt or Sult, comeliness,beauty , fat.
SUMMER. So called , probably,from the season summer. The
word is derived from the Saxon Sumer ; Celtic or Gaelic,
samh, the sun. Summer, one who casts up an account.
The namemay be a corruption of Sumner.
244 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
SUMNER, SOMNER , SOMPNOURE. One whose duty con
sisted in citing delinquents to the ecclesiastical courts ; an
apparitor; literally , a summoner.
“ Sim Somnor, in hast,wend thou thi way,
Byd Joseph and his wyff, be name, . .
At the coort to apper this day,
Hem to pourge of her defame."
COVENTRY MYSTERIES.
Chaucer gives us a description of the Sompnour in his Canter
bury Tales.
SUMPTER . A teamster or groom who drives beasts of bur
den. A " sumpter-horse," a horse which carries necessaries
for a journey.
SUNDERLAND . Local A seaport town in the county of
Durham , England. Land separated, divided, parted.
SURTEES. Local. From Sur- Tees, that is, on the river Tees
or Tay, in the county of Durham , England, where the first .
of the family settled .
SUTPHEN. (Dutch.) Originally. Van Zutphen, that is, from
the city of Zutphen , in Germany.
SWARTWOUT. (Dutch .) The same as the English Black
wood , from Zwart, black, and woud, aswood.
SUTER, SUTTER, and SHUTER. A shoemaker, one who
sews or stitches.
SUTTON . Local. A town in Devonshire, England - the .
south town.
SWAIM . Local. From Schwaim , a town in Lower Bavaria. ..
SWANE. (Dan .) A swan. Swain , a youth, a servant, a
herdsman .
SWEET. Swede,a native of Sweden. Swit, of Switzerland.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 245
SWETTENHAM . A name of place, from sweete, pleasant or
agreeable, and ham , a village.
SWEYNE Gaelic, Sean ; Cornish, Swoen ; Welsh, Swyn , a
charm .
SWIFT. Local. A name given for swiftness in moving . It
may be local,from Swift, a river of England.
SWINBURN . Local. Sweyne's burn or boundary, from bourn ,
a boundary .
SWITS. A native of Switzerland, so called in Holland.
SWITZER . A Swiss,a native of Switzerland.
SYLVESTER . Belonging to the forest, a woodman , from
Sylva , Latin , a wood.
SYMES. Supposed to be a variation of Sims, from Simon or
Simeon .
SYMINGTON . Local. From a parish by that name in the
north -west of Kyle, Ayrshire, Scotland ; originally Symons
town, so called from Simon Lockard or Lockart, who held
the lands under Walter, the first Stewart. .

TABOR . Local. Tabur or Tobar, Gaelic, a spring-weil, water,

a river. Tabor,a city in Bohemia,which the Hussites for
tified and made the seat of their war for twenty years ; on
this account they were called Taborites. The family may
probably derive their name from this city.
TAGGART. Tycrdd, Welsh , a meeting-house. Tagair,
Gaelic, to plead a cause, claim as a right, to reason, to
debate .
TAITE or TATE . (Gaelic.) Pleasure, delight. Tate,learned.
Tad, in Welsh , is a father, and Taid , a grandfather.
TALBOT. A mastiff.
 246 ZTTYOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
TAPPAN. (Welek .) Local The top of the hanging rock ,
from lap,a hanging rock, and pen , top oz head.
TASKER. A tizasber.
TATTEPSALL Local From the town of Tattersall, in Lin
constire, England
TAYLOR. A name of trade. We find this name modified to
Tayleure, the orthography having been changed by the
bearers to hide what they thought the lowness of its origin .
So Sir .th is changed to Smyth , Turner to Turnour, etc.
as Camden says, “ Mosfied ridiculously lest their bearers
should seem villified by them ."
A Mr. Taylor,who, from this false pride, had changed his name
to Tayleure, once haughtily demanding of a farmer the name
of his dog, the man replied, " Why, sir, his proper name is
Jowler, but since he's a consequential kind of puppy, we
calls him Joulcure !” .
TEDDINGTON. Local. A place on the Thames, so called
from the tide ending there, before the building of London
bridge— " tide-ending town,” corrupted to Teddington.
TEFFT or TEFT. Local A piece of ground where there has
been a house.
TELFAIR . (Italian.) Tagliaferro, pronounced Tollifer. Fr.,
tailler, to cut, and fer, iron . It is said that the first of the
namewas so called from having cut a bar of iron in two
with his sword . A smith .
TELFORD. Local. The narrow or straightened pass or way,
from the Welsh tel, tight, and ford , a way. Anglo - Saxon,
Tillford , at the ford or shallow place in a river. “ At- ill- ·
ford,” corrupted to Tilford .
TEMES. Local. Thamesis, the Thames, so called from the
meeting together of the rivers Tame and Isis, the chief river
of Britain .
 OF FAMILY NAMES . 247
TEMPLE . From the manor of Temple, in Wellesborough,
Leicestershire,which " namewas given by the old Earl of
• Leicester, one of the Knights Templars,who usually gave
- the name of Temple to their lands.
TENBROOK. (Dutch.) Ten,at, and broek, a brook, a stream ,
ormarsh — the house or place at the brook.
TENEYCK . (Dutch.) Ten oaks, or at the oaks.
TENNANT.. Tenant, a person holding lands under another,
from Teneo, Latin , to hold . Local, Tyn , Welsh, a stretch ,
and nant, a ravine.
TENNISON and TENNYSON. From Tenesone, a place in
Gottespunt or Cazdee, in Switzerland. If the namebenot
. . local, it is probably a corruption of Dennison .
TERRIL, TIRREL. Local. The little tower.
TERWILLIGER . Dutch, " Der Willikeur,” a by-law , a stat
ute. “ Der willige-waar,” serviceable ware, or ware that
sells well.
TEW . (Welsh ) Fat,a corpulent person.
* THEOBALD . God's power ; but in the Saxon Theobald signi- .
· fies powerful.or bold over the people. In the Saxon Psalter
theod is the same as gentes, and the English nation is often
called Engla -Theod . See Tibbits.
THOMAS. (Heb.) A twin .
THOMLIN , and THOMLINSON . From Thom or Thomas,
and ing or ling, a child or descendant — the son of Thomas.
THOMS. An abbreviation of Thomas ; Tom , local, Gaelic and
Welsh , a round hillock or knoll, a rising ground, an emi
nence, any round heap, a tumulus.
THOMSON . The son of Thomas.
THORN. Local. A town in England; a tree or bush armed
with spines or sharp shoots. “ Will at the Thorn."
248 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
THORPE. ' A village. Dutch , Dorp .
THRASHER . One who thrashes grain .
THROCKMORTON . A corruption of At Rock-moor-town, “ a .
town on a rock in a moor," in the vale of Evesham , Flad
bury, Warwickshire, England, whence the name was de
rived .
THURSTON . Local. The hill or town where the Saxon god
Thor was worshiped by the Anglo-Saxons.
THWAITE and THWAYTES. Local. A piece of ground
cleared of wood, from the Anglo-Saxon thweotan, to cut.
In some places in England the word signifies a rivulet ;
marshy ground ; also, a meadow. . . .
TIBBITS. Has the same signification as Theobald, of which it
is a corruption. Theobald is in the French Theobaud, pro
nounced Tibbo, whence Tibbauds or Tibbitts. Theobald is
derived by Camden from Theod, the people, and bald, brave
or bold, that is, powerful or bold over the people . B . Rhe
nanus derives it from Theos,God, and bald — God's power.
TICE. (Dutch.) A familiar abbreviation of Maithias.
TICHBOURNE. Anciently At Itchen -bourne, that is, a person
settled at the head of a fountain of the river Itchen. The
river Itchen is in Southampton county , England . At the
head of the river, near Alresford, the first ancestor of this
family resided, long before the Conquest.
TICHENOR. Local. Probably a corruption of At Itchenor,
' T Itchenor, from the river Itchen ; the name of a village in ·
Sussex, England. .
TIERNAY. (Gaelic.) Tighearna, a lord, a judge, a landed
proprietor.. (See Tournay.)
TIFFANY. A maker or vender of silk. Tiffany was a sort
of light silk used by painters to trace the outlines of a picture
through .
TILMAN . One who works a farm .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. . . 249
TILL. Local. The name of a river in England.
TILLINGHAST. Local. A place where auctions are held ;
buying, selling, dividing, paying over. German, theilen ;
Dutch, deelen , to separate, divide, pay over. A dealing
house .
TILLY. Local. A town of France.
TILMONT. Local. A town in Brabant, Netherlands.
TILTON . Local. Derived from Tilton, a village in England,
probably an ancient place of tilting, or tents. Tilt, Saxon,
a tent.
TING . Local. Among the ancient Gaels or Celts the place
where courts were held, and justice administered ,was called
Ting, i. e., to surround ; the circle, the temple, or round
· hill. ' The Tings at first were only judicial, but, in process
of time they became legislative. The most remarkable ob
ject of this kind is the Tynwald , in the Isle of Man . Thing;
Saxon, a cause, meeting, a council; German, ding, a court.
*Dutch, Dinger, a pleader.
TEESDALE. Local. The dale on the Tees, a river of Eng
• land, that separates the counties of Durham and York, and
enters the German ocean below Stockton.
TOBY . The Welsh for Thomas.
TODD. Tod ,a Scotch word for a fox .
TOLLMACHE. (Nor. Fr.) Tolling of the bell.,
TOLMAN. A collector of toll. In Dutch, Taalman is an in
terpreter, from Taal, language, tongue. “ Constantine Tol- ,
maen,” in Cornwall, is an ancient place of Druid worship.
Tolmaen is usually applied to a stone that is perforated ,
from tol, a hole, and maen , a stone ; twll mwn, Welsh , a
mine, shaft, or pit.
TORRY. Local. Torr, Gaelic, a conical hill or mountain , a '
mound, a grave, a tower; piled up, formed into heaps ; to
heap up, to bury .
11* *
250 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
TOUCEY. Local. From the town of Toucey in the province
of Champagne, France .
TOURNAY. Local. From Tournay,a town in Artois, France,
in Gaelic, written Tighearna, means a landlord, a lord, or
judge, and was applied to all great men , and is derived, ac
cording to Dr. MacPherson, from te or ti, an old word for
one, and eren , land, as implying a landed gentleman ; I
think the root of the name is Tir, land,and earr or earran, a
division, share, or portion .
TOWERS, Peels, and Castles, were places of defense . Tower
is derived from tor, Gaelic and Saxon, French tour, Welsh,
twr, a heap or pile, applied to conical hills, and to round
buildings erected for strength or security.
TOWNER. A dweller in a town. "
TOWNSEND. Local. Onewho lived at the end of the town.
TRACY or TRACEY. Local. A village in the Department
of Oise, France. E . Tracy came with William the Con
queror into England. Sir William Tracy was most active
among the four knights that killed Thomas à Becket, or
which account tradition reports, it is imposed on the Tracy's
for miraculous penance, that whether they go by land or
water, the wind is always in their faces, hence an old say
ing,
" The Tracyshave always thewind in their faces." . .
“ If this were so," says Dr. Fuller, “ it were a favor in a hot .
summer to the females of that family , and would spare them
the use of a fan.” The word may signify a rampart, a ter
race.

TRAILLE. (Gaelic.). A servant, sloven, slave.

TRAIN . (Gaelic.) Treun, brave, valiant,bold.
TRAINEUR. (Fr.) A straggler.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 251
TRELAWNEY. Local. (Cor. Br.) The open town near the
water ; from Tre, a town, lawn, open , and ey, water.
TREMAINE. Local. (Cor. Br.) The town on the shore or
sea- coast, from Tre, a' town, and mayne — the stone town, -
the river or passage town.
TRENOR, TRAINOR, TRAINER. (Gaelic.) Treunmhor,
very,brave; Treun,Gaelic, brave, valiant; er or or, the ter
mination of fear, a man.
TREVELYAN.- Local. (Cor. Br.). Trevellyan, the town of
the mill. Welsh, Tremelin , or Trevelin .
TREVOR. Local. (Cor. Br.) From Trevear,the great town.
TRIPP. According to tradition , this namewas given to Lord
Howard's fifth son, at the siege of Boulogne. King Henry
V . being there, asked how they took the town and castle.
Howard answered, “ I tripp'd up the walls.” Saith his ma
jesty, “ Tripp shall be thy name, and no longer Howard,”
and honored him with a scaling-ladder for his coat of arms.
This tradition, as well as many others I have given , is not very
probable,but I give them insertion because they are curious
and amusing, and some of them may be founded on actual
occurrences.
TROTTER. (Fr.) Trotteur,a person always on the trot ; &
rambler.
TROUBLEFIELD. Local. A corruption of the Norman
name Tuberville.
TROWBRIDGE. Local. A town in England. The name
: signifies " through the bridge;" perhaps given for some feat
of daring, orbodily courage. :
TRUAX. (Cor. Br.) The place on the waters, from Tre, a
town, and aux , waters ; or, if from the French, “ the three
waters."
TRUE. Local. From Trieu, a river in Bretagne, France. Tre
signifies a town.
252 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONA. IY
TRULAN. (Gaelic.) Truaillean , a pitiful person, a sneak. .
TRULL. A slut, a vile wench, a strumpet ; a name derived
from the mother.
TUDOR. The Welsh for Theodore, or in old English , pious, as
· Tudor Belin , the pious king.
TUPMAN. A breeder of rams, which are called , in some
places in England, Tups.
TUPPER. According to the celebrated poet by this name,
Martin Farquhar Tupper, it is a corruption of part of the
motto of the family , “ Tout perdie.”
TURCOTTE . (Welsh .) Tarewt, a craggy, abrupt pinnacle, or
:: tower, from Tur, a tower, and cut, abrupt, cut off, implying
defense. Tor, or Tur, a Saxon deity, and cot, a house,
Thorcot.
TURNBULL . This name had its origin in some feat of per
sonal strength or courage. There is the following tradition
of its origin : A strong man of the name of Ruel, having
turned a wild bull by the head, which violently ran against
King Robert Bruce in Stirling Park, received from the king
the lands of Bedrule, and the name of Turnbull. . .
TURNOUR. There is a tradition that this family derive their
name from their ancient place of settlement in Normandy,
which being a black castle, was called Le tour noir,whence
the lords thereof were called Les Sires de Tournoir , and by
contraction Tournor. One of the family wentwith William
the Conqueror into England. It is probably the same as
Turner, a name of trade, the orthography being changed.
TURTON. From Turton, in the hundred of Shelfold, in Lan
cashire, probably so called from Saxon, Tur or Tor, a tower,
• or Thur, or Thor, one of the Saxon deities., and toneither
a town having a tower, or sacred to Thor.
TUTHILL or TUTTLE . Local. A . town in Caernarvon,
Wales, near the coast.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 253
TWICKENHAM . Local. A village of Middlesex, England.
Tweywicken , the “ two wickens," or wares on the river, and
ham , a village.
TWING . (Danish .) From Twinge, to force , master, subdue ;
or a name perhaps given from his dexterity in archery. At
Wing,may be abbreviated to Twing.
TWOPENNY. From the Flemish Tupigny, from Tup, a ram ,
and ign or ine, quality, disposition, the same as ignus,in
Latin .
TYNG . (See Ting )
TYNTE. Tradition gives the following derivation : In the
year 1192 , at the celebrated battle of Ascalon , a young
knight of the noble house of Arundel, clad all in white, with
his horse's housing of the same color, so gallantly distin
guished himself on the field, that Richard Cour de Lion re
marked publicly after the victory, that the maiden knight
had borne himself a lion, and done deeds equal to those, of
six croises (or crusaders ). Whereupon he conferred upon
him for arms, a lion on a field , between six crosslets, and
for his motto, . ,
“ Tinctus crurore Saraceno.” “ Stained with Saracen blood."
Whence his descendants assumed the name of Tynite, and
settled in Somersetshire, England.
TYSON . The son of Tys, an abbreviation , among the Dutch ,
of Matthias.

UDINE. Local. A town in the north-east of Italy.

UHLAN or ULINE. May come from Ulen or Ulens,a place
now called Flensburgh, in Denmark ; a name given from
the sound made by the ebbing and flowing of the sea .
. ULMAN . (Ger.) Allman .
ULMER . ` Allmer, all famous, renowned . Ollmor, Welsh , the
whole sea.
254 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY :
UNDERHILL . Local Under the hill.
UNDERWOOD . Local. Under the wood.
UNWIN . (Dan.) Invincible.

UPTON . Local. The high hill, or the town on the height.

URRAN. (Cor. Br.) From urrian, the border, boundary, or
limit of a country .
UŞHER. An officer of a court who introduces strangers ; the

USTICK . Studious, affectionate, learned .

VACHER. (Fr.) A cow -herd ; a keeper of cows.

VALE. Local. Low land between hills, a valley.
VALENTINE. From the Latin Valentinus, a name derived
from valens, able, puissant, brave.
VALK. (Dutch.) A hawk, a falcón. .
VAN ALSTYNE. Local From the old or high stone, .
Dutch .
VAN AMEE, VAN NAMEN , and VAN NAME. Local
From the city of Namen or Namur, in the Netherlands.
VAN ANTWERP. (Dutch.) Local. From the city of Ant
casting anchor, or tying up the ships.
VAN ARDEN , VAN AERDEN , and VAN ORDEN. Local.
From Aerden, a town in Holland.
VAN ARNHEM , VAN ÁRNUM , VAN ORNUM . Local.
From Arnheim , a city in Guilderland, Holland.
VAN BUREN. (Dutch.) Local. From the town of Buren,
in Holland.
 · OF FAMILY NAMES. : 255
VAN BUSKIRK . From the church in the wood, from Bos, a .
wood, and kerk, a church .
VAN CLEVE or VAN KLEEF. From the city of Cleve or
Cleves, in Westphalia ,Germany.
VAN CORTLANDT. (Dutch.). From the short land ; kort,
short, and landt, land.
VAN CUREN or VAN KEUREN .. (Dutch.) Local. From
the territory of an elector in Germany. Keur, German, an
elector.
VAN DAM. Local. From the town of Dam , in Holland,
which signifies a mole or bank to prevent inundations, and
where towns were frequently built, as Amsterdam (Am
stel-dam ), Rotterdam .
VANDENBURGH. (Dutch.) From the hill.
VANDENHOFF. (Dutch.) From the garden ; hof also sig
nifies a court as well as a garden , so that itmay be, from the
court.
VANDERBILT. (Dutch .) Byi, in Dutch, signifies a hatchet
or bill. Byltye, a little hatchet or bill. Die Byltye was a
nickname given to ship-carpenters at Amsterdam , hence
Van de Bylt.
VANDERBOGART. (Dutch.) From the orchard.
VANDERHEYDEN . So named from Heyden , an ancient
town in Holstein, Denmark .
VANDERLINDEN . Corrupted to Van ( Linda — from the
linden -trees or grove of linden .
VANDERLIPPE. Local. From the town of Lippe, in Ger
• many .
VANDERMARK. (Dutch .) From the Mark . Mark was
the denomination of a kind of county which made the
bound or limit of a country — like the British marches.
Hence mark -graaf, marquis, the keeper of the marks or
marches.
 256 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
VANDERPOEL. From the marsh or lake. .
VANDERSPEIGLE . (Dụtch.) From the looking-glass ; fig .
uratively, neat, fine, spruce.
VANDERVEER . (Dutch.) From the ferry ; Veer signifying
a ferry. Veere, or Ter Veere, is the name of a town in Hol
land,whence probably the name originated . .
VANDERWERKEN. (Dutch.) From the workers ; werken ,
plural of werk ; werker, a worker. .
VANDERZEE. (Dutch.) From the sea ; a child being born
at sea during a violent-storm , his parents gave him the name
of Storm Vanderzée.
VAN DOUSEN and VAN DUZEN. (Dutch ) From the
town of Doesen , in Lower Saxony.
VAN DYCK . (Dutch.) From the dyke; a bank ormound
thrown up to prevent inundations from the river or sea.
VAN EPS. Local. From the town of Eep, in Holland.,
· VAN HOOVEN . Local. From Hoeven ,a town in Holland.
VAN HORN and VAN HOORN. Local. From the town of
Horn or Hoorn , in Holland .
VAN HUISEN, VAN HOOSEN , and VAN HUSEN . Local.
From Huizen , a town on the Zuyder Zee, in Holland.
VAN INGEN. Local. From Ingen , a town in Holland, near
the river Lech . . .
VAN LOON . Local. From Loon, a town on the river Maes,
in Holland.
VAN NESS. Local. Naze, a cape or promontory . Van
Naze or Van Ness, from the Cape. .
VAN NORDEŅ. Local. From Naarden,a town in Holland. .
VAN NOSTRAND. Properly Van Ostrand (which see).
VAN OSTRAND. From the east shore; oost,east, and strand ,
shore or coast.
 • OF FAMILY NAMES. 257
VAN PATTEN. Local. From Putten, a town in Holland.
VAN RENSSELAER. Local. Van rand Soleure, i. e., from
the border of Soleure, a canton of Switzerland ; Van, from ,
rand,border,margin.
VAN STANTVOORDT. Local. From Zandvoort, a town in
North Holland.
VAN SCHAACK ,VAN SCHAICK , VAN SCHEYK. Local.
From the town of Scheyk , in Holland.
VAN SCHOONHOVEN. (Dutch .) Local. From the town
of Schoonhoven , in South Holland, which signifies “ fine
· gardens;" from schoon, fine,and hof,a garden or court,plural
hoven .
VAN SLYCK . Local. From the channel called Het Slaeck ,
in the Netherlands, which makes Tolen an island. Styk ,
Dutch, signifies dirt, mire.' Van Slyk, “ from the dirt.” .
VAN STEINBURGH. (Dutch.) From the stone-hill,
VAN TESSEL or VAN TASSEL. (Dutch.) From Tessel or
Texel, an island in North Holland. .
VAN TIEL. Local. From the town of Tiel, in Holland.
VAN VECHTEN . (Dutch .) From Vechten , on the river
· Vecht, in Holland. :
VAN VLECK . (Dutch .) From the town of Vleck , in Hol
land, which signifies a little open town.
VAN VOLKENBURG .· Local. From Valkenburgh, a town
on the river Geuse , Netherlands.
: VAN VORST or VAN VOORST. Local. From the town of
Vorst, in Holland. Vorst, in Dutch , signifies a prince ;
Forst,German , a forest.
VAN VRANKEN. (Dutch.) From Frankenburgh, an old
town of the Franki, or free men.
VAN WINKLE. Local. From the town of Winkel, in Hol
land.
258 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY .
VAN WOERT and VAN WORT. Local. From Woert, a
• town in Holland.
VAN WORDEN . Local. From Woerden , a town in Hol
land.
VAN WYCK . Local. • From Wyck, a town on the river
Lech, in Holland.
VAN ZANDT. (Dutch .) From the sand ; or from Zante, an .
island in the Mediterranean.
VASSER. (Fr.) A corruption of Vavasour, one who holds
an estate next to a lord. .

small in stature.
VEDDER or VEEDER. (Dutch.) Father, or literallybegetter,
feeder. .
VENTON . (Cor. Br.) A spring well.
VERBECK . (Dutch.) From ver,far,distant, and beek or beck,
brook . The distant brook.
VERNON . Local. From Vernon, a place in Normandy.
VESEY . Local. Wet or fenny land, near the water, subject
to inundation ; the same as Fossey . Cor. Br., Vosey, the
ditch or fort near the water.
VIBBARD . (Dutch and Danish.) From vi, or wi, holy, sa
cred, and bard, a poet.
VICKERS. Vicar, the incumbent of a benefice; one who per
forms the functions of another. Vicar, Cor. Br.,a sovereign
lord.
VIELLE or VELAY. Local. A town of France, in Langue
doc, the ancient Velannia .
VINE. Local. Taken from the plant that bears the grape ; a
' vineyard . “ Will at the vine.” “ Will Vine.”
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 259

VIPONT. De Veteri Ponte, from the old bridge.

VIRGO. (Latin.) A maid, a damsel. Virago, a stout woman.
Virgo, local, Latin,'a Roman aqueduct.

VOGEL. (Dutch.) A bird, a duck'; figuratively,a cunning

fellow , a fine young blade.
VOORHEES or VOORES. (Dutch ) From voorhuis, the
fore-room of a house below , a hall.
VROOMAN . (Dutch.) From vroom , honest, valiant;religious,
and man - an honest or valiantman .

WADE. (Dutch.) From weide,ameadow or pasture. .

WADSWORTH . The same as Woodsworth, the farm or place
in thewood.
• WAITE. Local. The same as Thwaite, a piece of ground
cleared of wood , a meadow .
WAKEFIELD . Local. A market-town in west Yorkshire,
England — the watch -field . . .
WAKEMAN. A title given to the chief magistrate of Rippon,
in Yorkshire, England ; a watchman .
WALDGRAVE. (Sax.) From wald , a forest, and grave, a
ruler or lord .
WALDEN. (Sax.and Ger.) A wood, a woody place.
WALDRON . ., Wald , Saxon, a wood. .
WALES, WALLIS , WALSH . A native of Wales, a name
given by the Anglo -Saxons to the Britons who originally
came from Gaul, which the Saxons pronounced Wealas,
Wates, Welsh, and Wallia . A principality of Great Britain ,
on the west of England, one hundred and twenty miles
long, and eighty broad .
 260 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
WALKER. In the north of England and south of Scotland à
fulling-mill is still called a walk -mill. This name may signify
• either a fuller or an officer whose duty consisted in walking
or inspecting a certain space of forest ground.
WALL. “ John at the Wall” — John Wall.
WALLACE or WALLIS. The same as Wales or Welch , and
formed thus- Gaulish , Wallish , Wallis, and also Welsh or
Welch , a name given to the Britons by their Danish and
Angles invaders, because they originally came from Gaul.
WALLER. A Gauler or Waller, a foreigner, from the Anglo
Saxon “ woller-went,” foreign men , strangers.
WALLOCK. In Gaelic, Guala is a mountain projection, and
loch ,a lake. Wallock , a highland dance. Guallak , Cor. Br.,
a brag, a boaster.
WALLOP. Local. From the town of Wallop, in Hampshire,
England.
WALPOLE. Local. From Walpole, a town in Norfolk,
England.
WALSH . A Gaul, which the Germans pronounce with a
ww ," • as Wallic for Gaulic. Wallis, Wallish , Walsh . The
Welsh were originally from Gaul. (See Wales and Wal
lace.)
WANDS. Local. A place where Woden was worshiped by
the Anglo -Saxons, from which we have Wodensday or
Wednesday. Wand, Danish , water ; wansted , Danish , a
wateriņg-place.
,WALTER. A wood-master or keeper of the wood.
WALTON . Local. The name of several villages in England,
from wald , a wood, and ton . .
WAMPLE or WEMPLE . Local. A river of England, from
wem or uiam , a cleft, a cave, a low place, Gaelic ; and poll, a
small lake, a pond, and the same in Welsh.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. · 261
WARBURTON, , Local From a township in Cheshire, Eng
land, spelled in the Doomsday Book Werburghtune, so called
from a monastery there situated dedicated to St. Werbergh .
WARE. Local. A town in Hertfordshire, England, so named
· from the wear in the river Lee, at that place .
WARD . A keeper, one who guards or defends.
WARDLAW . Local. The parish of Kirkhill, in Moray, Scot
land, was formerly called Wardlaws, because the garrison
of Lovat were accustomed to keep watch or ward on the
law .or hill.
'WARNE. An alder-tree,a ship’smast.
WARREN. From Guarenna 'or Varenna, in the county of
· Calais, in Normandy, whence they came into England with
. William the Conqueror. · The primary sense of the word is
to stop, hold , or repel, to ‘guard, keep off.
WARRENDER. From Warren , and der, from the old British
dour, water, probably given to a Warren who lived near
some water or river.
· WARWICK . Local. The county town of Warwickshire,
England. Camden derives it from guarth , Cor. Br., a safe
guard , a garrison, and wick , Saxon, a port or city . Somner
says it was formerly called “ wearing-wick," from wear and
wick, a harbor.
WASHINGTON . Local. Originally Wessyngton or De Wes
syngton . The name was taken from the place in England
where the family originated ; from weis, a wash , a creek
setting in from the sea, the shallow part of a river, ing, a
meadow or low ground, and ton , for dun, a hill or town
the town on the wash or salt river or creek .
WASSEN . Local. From Wessen, a town in Switzerland.
Wassen , in Dutch , signifies to grow , increase.
WATCOCK. The son ofWat or Walter,cock signifying, little. '
 262 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
WATERS. Local. A name given to one who navigated the
waters, or resided near them .
WATKINS. From Wat, and the patronymic termination kins;
the son of Wat or Walter.
WATKINSON . The son of Watkins.
WATSON and WATTS. The son of Walter.
WAY. Local. A road or passage of any kind ; a name given
to one who resided there. “ Will o' the Way."
WAYLAND, WEYLAND. Local. From the Dutch , " Weil
and,” pasture-ground, meadow -land.
WEBSTER . A maker ofwebs,a weaver.
WEEDEN. Local. . So named from Weedon , a town in North
amptonshire, on the river Nen. Gwid-ton , the woody bill.
WEIDMAN. (Dutch.) From Weid , a pasture or meadow , -
and man, - a herdsman .
WELBY. Local. From Weald -by, which signifies a habita
tion in a wood or grove.
WELD . A wood , sometimes written Weald ,the woody part
of a country.
WELDEN . Local. From Weald, woody, a wood, and den, a
valley. . .
WELLER. (Ang. Saxon.) Wellere, a hollow or gulf. Prob
ably the same as Waller (which see).
. .WELLS. Local. A name given to a person who resided
there. “ John, at theWells” — John Wells. A bishop's see
in Somersetshire, so called from the wells or springs there.
WEMPÈL. Wampull, a'river in England. Wimpole, a place
in London, a flag-staff. Wem , a town in England, also in
Scotland, and signifies a hollow place, a cave; Wempool, the
pool in the hollow, or low place.
WEMYSS. Local. First assumed by the proprietors of the
* lands anciently called Wemyss-shire, in Fife-shire, Scot
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 263
: land, which contained all that tract of ground lying between
• the lower part of the waters of Ore, and the sea . These
lands received their name from the great number of caves
that are there, all along the sea-coast. A cave in the old .
Gaelic or Celtic, was called vumhs or uamh ; from that these
lands received the name of Vumbs-shire Wemys- shire.
The family of Wemyss derive their origin from the family
of Macduff, Maormor of Fife, in the reign of Malcom Can
more. The lands now forming the parish of Wemyss, are
said to have been part of the estate of Macduff, Shakespeare's
· well-known Thane of Fife .
WENDELL. (Dutch.) Wandelaar, a walker, hence a travel
er. The name may be ločal, and derived from Wandle, a
river in Surrey, England.
WENTWORTH. Local. The Worth, farm , or place, on the
river Went, in Northumberland, England. . .
WERDEN . (Ger.) Local. From Wehr, a fortification , and
den , a hill ; a town in the Netherlands called Woerden.
WESTALL. Local. The West- Hall.
·WESTCOTT. The west cot ; so Eastcott, and Southcote.
Westmacott, Saxon, a banker, a money lender.
WESTMORELAND., Local. A county of England; the
“ West-moor-land.”
WESTERVELDT. (Dutch ) The west field , from Wester,
·west, and veldt,a field.
WESTON. The west town. Derived from a small village in
England. .
WETHERBY . Local. A town in west Yorkshire, England ;
the wide or extended village ; Weider , Dutch, a herdsman,
Weideri, the place of fattening cattle, and by, a village.
WETHERSPOON , WITHERSPOON, WODDERSPOON .
Local. A grazing-place in the spur of a mountain or hill;
· Weider, Dutch or Saxon , and span, to unite, bend, extend.
264 . ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
WETHERWAX. (Dutch.) Weiderwacht, from weider, a .
herdsman, and wacht, a watch , a guard ; weide, a pasture, a
meadow ;- weideri, a pasture for fattening 'cattle.
WETSEL. Local. From Wezel, a town on the lower Rhine.
WHALLEY. Having greenish white eyes; wall-eyed. This
name is also local, and is the name of a village in Lan
cashire, England.
WHEADEN and WHEDEN. An old English west country
term for a silly fellow . Also the name of a small village in
England, whence the name may be derived.
WHEALDON or WHIELDON. Local. (Cor. Br.) A place
wheremines are worked . Wheal is frequently applied to
signify a mine, and dun or din , a hill.
WHEATON. Local. So called from a place of the same
name on the river. Nen , Northamptonshire, England.
Whitton , Saxon , the white hill. Whiddon , Cor. Br., white.
WHEELER . A name of trade.
WHEELOCK. From a village in Cheshire, England, of the
same name.
WHITBY. That is “ White-town," or bay ; a town in York - . .
shire, England.
WHITE . A name given from the color of the hair, or com
plexion . The namemay be also local, derived from the Isle
of Wight, on the coast of Hampshire, so called from the
· Welsh , Gwydd, wood, from its primitive forest.
WHITING. . (Sax.) The white or fair offspring. The Saxon
termination ing, denoted offspring or child , as Cuthing, the
child of Cuth, Dun-ning, the brown offspring, & c.
WHITLOCK . (Šax.) Fair hair. ; .
WHITFIELD .· Local. The white field .
WHITFORD . Local., The white ford .
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 265
WHITMAN . From wight, in old English, lively, quick,and
man , or from the Dutch, wight, weighty , ponderous, Wight
..man,a stoutman, or it may be, after all, simply White-man .
WHITNEY. (Sax .) From Hwit,white, and ea ,watei, or ige,
an island ; a town in Oxfordshire, England.
WHITTAKER. Local. The north part of a graveyard allot
ted to the poorwas called whittaker,from wite,a penalty ,and
acre, - a place of burial for criminals. A culprit who could
not discharge the penalty or wite became a " witetheow ," and
wasburied in the wite-acre. Bailey defines Whittaker “ the ; . .
north - east part of a flat or shoal — the middle ground." .
WICKER. - A man of the creek or bay, from Wick , a creek ,
bảy, a village. Uakker, Danish, valiant, brave. "
WICKHAM . (Sax.). From wic, the winding of a river or
port, and comb, a valley . A town in Buckinghamshire,
England — the sheltered, place, house,or town.
WICKLIFF. (Sax.) From Hwic,white, and klif, a rock or
cliff ; or rather from wic, a Saxon word for borough or vil

their name, and of which they were possessed from the

time of the Conquest by William the Conqueror till the
year 1606 . Wycliffe translated the Bible in 1338, and one

braced , in a greater or less degree, his opinions, which

spread with rapidity over Europe.
WIGAN and WIGGIN . Local. From Wigan, a town on
the river Douglass, Lancashire, England.
WILBERFORCE. Local. That is, Wild -boar-foss, a dike, a
ditch. Wil-burgh-foss.
WILBRAHAM . For Wilburgham or Wild -burgh -ham . Local.
A town in Kent, England.
WILBUR or WILBOR . A contraction of Wildboar,
12
266 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
WILCOX. From Will, and cock,which signifies, little. Will's
son, Williamson. “ A willcock," one rather obstinate .
WILDER. A traveler, foreigner, or pilgrim , the same as
• Waller, from the Saxon weath , a traveler, or one who in
habits the forest or grounds uncultivated.

the son of William .

WILKINSON . The son of Wilkins.
WILLARD. One who has a determined disposition, from
will, choice, command, and ard, the Teutonic of art, strength ,
nature, disposition .
WILLET. Little William , or the son of William .
WILLIAM . From the Belgic Guild -helm , harnessed with a
gilded helmet; or, as others say, from Welhelm , the shield
or defense ofmany.
WILLIAMSON . The son of William .
WILLIS. Willy's, the son of Willy , the “ s” being added for
son .
WILLOUGHBY . Local. From the lordship of Willoughby,
in Lincolnshire, England, given to a Norman knight by
William the Conqueror.— The town or habitation by the
willows.
WILMOT. May be a corruption of Guillemot, a name frequent
in France in early times, derived from Guillaume, William .
WILSON. The son of William or Will.
WILTON . Local. From a town in Wiltshire, England, so
called from the river Willey, and ton, a town.
WILTSHIRE. Local. A county in England ; Welsh, gwyllt,
a wild , forest, a desert, and shire, a division , a county.
WIMPLE . (Dutch.) A streamer, pendant.
WINCH. Local. A place in the county of Norfolk, England.
Ynyis, Welsh , an island.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. 267
WINCHCOMBE. (Sax.) Local. From wincel,a corner,and
comb, a valley — a valley encompassed on each side with
hills.
WINCHEL . (Dutch.) From Winschaal, a wine-bowl,a wine
shop ; German, Weinsall, a wine-hall or shop .
WINCHESTER. Local. A city of Hampshire, England,
called Caerwynt by the Britons, from Caer, a city , town, or
fortified place,and gwint, wind, from its being a windy place.
The Welsh gwin signifies wine, as if called the “ Wine City.”
So Howel, in his Londonopolis, quotes from old Robert of
Glo'cester :
" In the country of Canterbury most plenty of fish is ;
And most chase of beasts about Salisbury I wis,
And London shipsmost, and wine at Winchester, a
Soap about Coventry, and iron at Glo 'cester;
Metal, lead, and tin in the county of Exceter,
Euorwick of fairest wood, Lincoln of fairest men,
Cambridge and Huntingdon most plenty of deep venne,
Ely of fairest place, of fairest sight, Rochester."
Bailey defines it the " White City," from the Welsh “ Caer
guenif,” because it is built upon a chalky soil.
. WINDHAM . Local. A town in the county of Norfolk , Eng
• land, said to be a corruption of Wimund -han ," the home or
· village of Wimund."
WINDSOR . Local. A town in Berkshire, England. The
name is a corruption of Wind-shore, from the winding shore
of the Thames in that place.
WINEGAR. (Dutch.) From Wyngaard,a vine.
WINEKOOP. (Dutch.) Something to drink upon the bar
gain.
WING . Local. A village in the county of Buckingham ,
England.
268 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
WINGFIELD. Local. From the manor of Wingfield, in Suf
folk, England.
WINNE. Welsh .) The sameas Gwynne, white.
WINSHIP . Probably the same as Wineshop. Saxon , Win ,
German Wein, and Sceapian , Saxon , to make, furnish ; a
maker or vender of wine.
WINSLOW . Local. From the town of Winslow , in Bucking
hamshire, England.
WINTERTON . Local. From the village of Winterton , in the
county of Norfolk, England, so called from its cold situation .
WINTHROP. Local. A corruption of Winthorp , or Wine
thorpe, the wine village, from win , wine, and thorp, a village.
WIRE, WEIR ,WARE . Local. A market town of Hertford
shire, England. Saxon Waer, to defend, to hold , protect .
Wear, a fence of stakes or rods set in a stream for catching
fish ; a dam .
WISE , and WISEMAN. A name given for the quality of
wisdom .
WISHART. Some ancient writers say, that Robert , son of
David, Earl of Huntingdon , took on him the cross, and dis
tinguished himself in the Holy Land, where, from his gallant
exploits against the Saracens, he received the name of Guis

Rhine, Germany.
WITHERINGTON . A contraction of Wooderington . From
or dry hill. A place in Northumberland, England. Weid
erington , the place of pasturing cattle, Dutch , Weide, a pas
ture, weider, one who takes care of cattle, a herdsman.
WITTER. (Dutch.) A whitener,a fuller,bleacher.
 OF FAMILY NAMES. . 269
WOLSEY or WOOLSEY. Local. That is, the Wolds-ley ,
from wold , a wood, a lawn, and sometimes a plain , and lle,

WOOD. A surname very ancient in Scotland, first called De

Bosco. The family bore trees in their coat of arms.
WOODRUFF. Woodroof, from Wood -reeve, the governor or
keeper of a wood, a forester.
WOODWARD . Wood-ward, a forest-keeper or officer, who
walked with a forest-bill, and took cognizance of all offenses
WOODWORTH . Local. The farm or place in the wood..
WOOL One having short, thick hair. It may be a corruption
of Wolf, or Will.
WOOLLEY. Local. Wold -ley, uncultivated lands hills with
out wood. . .
WOOSTER . A corruption of Worcester (which see).
WORCESTER. Local. A county and city of England, which
Bailey derives from Sax. Were, a forest,and Cester, a camp or
city . I prefer deriving it from Warcester, the city or castle
of strife, from the Saxon Woer, war, strife, with which the
ancient British name agrees, called Caerwrangon , the castle
or fort of strife and contention. It was a boundary for
WORTH. (Sax.) Local. A court, farm ,-possession, place,
field or way; the place valued, sold, or granted .
WYLIE . A form of Willie or William ; or wily,artful, sly.
WYMAN . (Dutch .) From Weiman,a huntsman, a hunter ;
one who shoots the game.

YAGER . (German and Danish .) Jager, a huntsman. Yogere,

also signifies a sweet-heart.
270 DICTIONARY OF FAMILY NAMES.
YALE . Local. From a lordship of the same name in Wales.
YARE. (Sax.) Ready, dexterous,eager.
YARROW . A plant; the millfoil, or plant of a thousand
leaves.
YATES. An old word for Gate. The same as Gates.
YEQMAN. A man free-born, a freeholder; one next in order
to the gentry.
YETT. A gate, a way, a passage, the same as Yates.
YORK. Local. A city in England next.in esteem to London.
Verstegan derives its name from Eure-ric or Eouer -ric, of
Euere, a wild boar, and ryc, a refuge ; a retreat from the
wild boars which were in the forest of Gautries. The
Romans called the city Eboracum ; it is memorable for the
death of two emperors, Severus and Constantius Chlorus,
and for the nativity of Constantine the Great.
YOUNGHUSBAND. A surname borrowed from the social
relations.
YOUNGLOVE. Given on account of his age, and tender af
fection .
YULE . (Sax .) Christmas, borrowed from this festival, or the
time of nativity. "The,Greek , a wood, a forest.
CHRISTIAN NAMES.
 CHRISTIAN NAMES. .

NAMES OF MEN .
AARON. (Heb .) Signifies a mountaineer, a mount of
strength .
ABDALLAH. (Turkish.) The servant ofGod .
ABEL. (Heb.) Signifies vanity, breath.
ABIATHAR. (Heb.) Excellent father.
ABIEZÈR. (Heb.) My father's help.
ABIJAH . (Heb.) The will of the Lord, or the Lord is my .
father.
ABISHUR. (Heb .) My father's attention. "
ABNER . (Heb.) The lamp or son of the father.
ABRAHAM . (Heb.) The father of a great multitude.
ABSALOM . (Heb.) A father of peace .
ADAM . (Heb .) Taken out of red earth.
ADIEL . (Heb.) The witness of the Lord .
ADOLPHUS or ADOLPH . (Sax.) From Ead , happiness,
and ulph, help — happy help.
ADRIAN. (Latin .) Local. From the city of Hadria. Gesner
derives it from the Greek ädpos, great or wealthy.
ÆNEAS. (Lat.) Laudable.
12 *
274 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
AGRIPPA . (Lat.) Æger-partus, one that causeth pain at
his birth, who is born with his feet foremost.
ALAN . Is thought by Julius Scaliger to signify a hound in
the Sclavonian, and Chaucer uses Aland in the same sense.
ALBERT. (Ger.) All bright or famous. . more
ALEXANDER. (Greek .) An aider or benefactor of men, a
powerful auxiliary, from régw, to aid, assist, and ávip, a
man . .
ALFRED . (Sax.) All peace.
ALMOND. Allemand, - a German .
ALPHONSO. (Gothic.) Our help, from Helpuns.
ALWIN . (Sax.) From alle, all, and win, a victor - all vic
torious.
AMASA. A forgiving people.
AMBROSE. (Greek.) From 'Außpósios, immortal.
AMOS. Loading,weighty.
ANDREW . (Greek.) A brave man . 'Avopeia, courage,
bravery,manhood, from 'Avñp, a man.
ANTHONY. (Greek.) From "Avôos, a flower, flourishing,
beautiful, graceful.
APOLLOS. One that destroys or lays waste.
ARCHIBALD. (Ger.) A powerful, bold, and speedy learner
or observer.
ARIEL. (Heb.) Light or Zion of God.
ARNOLD. (Ger.) According to Camden , signifies honest,
but the Germans write it Ernold . Probus in Latin .
ARTEMAS. Holy, agreeable.
ARTHUR. (Br.) A strong mar. (See fuller derivation in
Dictionary of Surnames.)
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES . 278
ASA. Physician or cure.
ASAHEL. The work or creature ofGod.
ASENATH . (Heb.) Peril or misfortune.
ASHER. (Heb.) Happy, blessed.
AUGUSTUS. (Lat.) Noble, royal, imperial.
AUGUSTINE and AUSTIN. (Latin.) A contraction of
Augustine, from Augustinus, imperial, royal, great, or re
nowned .
AZARIAH . Assistance.

BALDWIN . (Ger.) The speedy conqueror or victor, from

bald , quick or speedy, and win , an old word signifying
victor or conqueror.
BAPTISTE . (Greek .) Bantloris, a baptizer, the title of St.
John.
BARDULPH. (Ger.) The same as Bertulph, fair help.
BARNABY and BARNABAS. (Heb.) Son of consolation. :
BARNABAS. Son of the prophet, or consolation .
BARTIMEUS. (Heb .) The son of Timeus. Timeus signifies
perfect, honorable, admirable.
BARTHOLOMEW . (Heb.) The son of him who maketh the
waters to mount.
BARZILLAI. (Heb.) Made of iron, or the son of contempt.
BASIL. (Greek .) From Baolheds, a king ; royal, kingly .
BENEDICT. (Latin.) From Benedictus,blessed, well spoken
of, or a person wishing all good.
BENJAMIN , (Heb .) The son of the right hand.
BENNET. A contraction or rather a corruption of Benedict,
from the Latin , Benedictus, blessed.
276 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
BENONI. (Heb.) Son ofmy grief, sorrow .
BERIAH . (Heb.) In fellowship.
BERNARD. (Teutonic.) Ofa child-like disposition.
BERTRAM. (Sax.) Fair and pure.
BEULAH. (Heb.) Married.
BOAZ. (Heb.) In strength, a pillar.
BONIFACE. (Lat.) Well-doer.
BOTOLPH . (Sax.) Help -ship or sailor. Sailors in that age
were called Botescarles.
BRIAN and BRIANT. (Fr.) Shrill-voiced .

CÆSAR . (Latin.) From coedo, to cut, a name said to have

been given to one who was cut from his mother's womb.
Coesaries, a head of hair.
CAIUS. Parents' joy .
CALEB. A dog, cow , or basket.
CALISTHENES. (Greek.) Beautiful and strong.
CARADOC. (Br.) Dearly beloved .
CARLOS. The same as Charles.
CHARLES. (Ger.) From carl, strong, stout, courageous,
valiant.
CHESTER. A surname,now used as a Christian name. From
the city of Chester, so called from the Latin castrum , a forti
fied place, a camp. Chester was the principal encampment
of the Romans in Britain .
CHRISTIAN . The derivation of this name is evident.
CHRISTOPHER. (Greek.) From Xplotós, Christ, literally,
anointed, and pépw , to bear; Christ's carrier.
OLA RENCE. (Lat.) From Clarus, clear,bright.
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. 277
CLAUDIUS. (Lat.) From Clauda, the name of an island
near Crete. A name given to a native of that island. It
signifies a broken or a weeping voice.
CLEMENT. (Lat.) Clemens,meek,gentle, kind.
CONRAD. (Ger.) Able counsel.
CONSTANTINE. (Lat.) Constantinus, fast, firm ,unyielding.
CORNELIUS. (Latin and Greek .) From cornu, a horn , and
Macos, the sun.
CRISPIN. (Lat.) Crispinus, from crispus, having curled hair.
CUTHBERT: (Sax.) Famous, bright, of clear skill or knowl
edge. .
CYPRIAN . (Greek.) From the isle of Cyprus.
CYRUS. An heir, or miserable .

DANIEL. (Heb.) Judgment ofGod.

DAVID. (Heb.) Beloved , dear.
DEMETRIUS. (Greek.) Belonging to Ceres.
DENIS, or DENNIS. A contraction of Dionysius (which
see) .
DERRICK , DERICK, and DIRK . (Dutch.) An abbreviation
of Theodorick (which see).
DIODORUS. (Greek.) From Alds, Jove or Jupiter, and .
dūpos,a gift — the gift of Jove.
DYONYSIUS. (Greek.) A name of Bacchus, the god of
wine.
DIOTREPHES. (Greek .) Nourished by Jupiter, from Acos,
genitive of Zevs, Jupiter, and Tpépo, to feed , to nourish .
DOMINICK. (Lat.) From Dominica, the Lord's day ; Sun
day, from Dominus, the Lord . A name given to a child
born on Sunday.
278 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
DUNSTAN . (Sax.) From dun, a hill, and stan ,wide
name of place .

EBENEZER. (Heb.) The stone of help.

EDMUND. (Sax.) From Ead , blessed, and mund, peace -
blessed peace.
EDWARD. (Sax.) From Ead , blessed , and ard , nature or
EDWIN . (Sax.) From Ead, blessed or happy, and win , a
conqueror.
ELDAD. (Heb.) Loved or favored ofGod .
ELEAZER. (Heb.) Thehelp or court of God.
ELI. (Heb.) The offering or lifting up.
ELIAB. (Heb.) God, my father.
ELIAS. (Heb.) God the Lord, or the strong Lord.
ELIHU. (Heb .) He is my God himself.
ELIJAH. (Heb .) The same as Elias (which see).
ELIPHALET. (Heb .) The God ofdeliverance.
ELISHA. (Heb .) Salutation of God.
ELIU . (Heb .) The same as Elihu.
ELIZUR. (Heb.) God is my rock , or strength .
ELON . (Heb.) Oak , or grove, or strong.
ELYMAS. In Arabic signifies a magician .
EMMANUEL. (Heb.) God with us.
ENEAS. (Greek .) Laudable, from aivéw, I praise, prudent,
discreet, in Gaelic, Aongaos.
ENOCH. (Heb.) Dedicated, disciplined, well-regulated.
ENOS. (Heb.) Faller man.
 ·
OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. = 279
EPAPHRAS. (Heb.) Covered with foam . i
EPHRAIM . (Heb.) That brings fruit, or that grows.
ERASMUS. (Greek.) 'Epáoluos, amiable, lovely , same as
Erastus.
ERASTUS. (Greek.) From 'Epaords, lovely or amiable.
ERNEST. (Sax.) Eornest, earnest.
ESEK. (Heb .) Contention , violence, or force.
ETHELARD. (Sax.) Noble disposition .
ETHELBERT. (Sax.) Noble-bright, or nobly renowned.
ETHELSTAN. (Sax.) Noble-jewel, precious stone, or most
noble.
ETHELWARD. (Sax.) Noble keeper.
ETHELWOLD. (Sax .) Noble governor.
ETHELWOLF. (Sax.) Noble helper.
ETHAN . Strength.
EUGENE. (Greek.) From Eủyevns, nobly born.
EUSTACE. (Greek.) From Evotions, standing firm , resolute.
EVERARD. (Sax.) Always honored .
EZEKIEL. God is my strength.
EZRA . A helper.

FABIAN . (Lat.) From Fabius, a kind of bean .

FELIX . (Lat.) Happy .
FERDINAND. (Ger.) From Fred, peace, and rand, pure,
that is, pure peace .
FRANCIS . From Franc, free, not servile, or bond.
FRANKLIN . A freeholder. (See Dictionary of Surnames.)
FREDERICK . (Ger.) Rich peace, or peaceable reign.
 280 ETTYOLOGICAL DICTIONARI
FULLBERT. a ) P -bright
FULKE (Saz ) Some derite it from the German Volag,
Dodie and zz zat, bat Camden from Folc, the English -Saxon -
wird fo : pec k : Sze the Roman Publisse, beloved of
te people and .

GABRIEL. (Heb.) A man of God, orGod is my strength

GAITS. (Greek.) Eartály. From Icios, corruptible, mortal
GALLIO. Vy.
GAMALIEL. (Heb.) Recompense ofGod
GARRET. A corruption of Gerard (which see).
GEDEON. (Heb.) He that bruises and breaks.
GEFFREY. (Ger.) From Gay, joyful, and fred, peace ; joy
fal peace.
GEOFFREY. (Sax.) From Gau, glad ,and fred, peace.
GEORGE. (Greek.) A husbandman , from Tewpyos.
GERARD . (Sax.) From Gar, all, and ard , nature.
GERMAIN . (Ger.) All victorious.
GERVAS. (Ger.) All sure, firm , or fast.
GIFFORD. (Ger.) Liberal disposition.
GILBERT. (Ger.) Bright pledge, from Gisle, a pledge; or
gold-like bright, from the Saxon, Geele, yellow .
GILES. Ægidius, Latin of Alys, Greek, a goat's skin ; so the
old writers derive it, but it is more probably from the Ger
man Gisel, or Gesel, a companion .
GODARD . (Sax.) From God, God or good, and ard, nature
endowed with a divine disposition .
GODFREY. (Ger.) God's peace , godly.
GODWIN (Sax.) Converted , or victorious in God.
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. 281
GRACCHUS. (Lat.) Thin.
GREGORY. From the Greek Tpsyopéw , to watch , watchful, a
shepherd.
GRIFFITH . (Br.) Strong faith .
GUILBERT. The same as Gilbert.
GUY. A guide, leader, or director.

HADRIAN , and ADRIAN . (Lat.) From the city Hadria,

whence Hadrian the Emperor had his origin . Gesner de
rives it from the Greek "Adpos, wealthy.
HAMON . (Heb.) Faithful. . .
HANNIBAL. Gracious lord. .
HAROLD . (Sax.) Leader of the army, or love of the army.
HAZEL. (Heb.) One that sees God.
HEBER. One that passes, anger, wrath.
HECTOR. (Greek.) Defender.
HEMAN. (Heb.) Their trouble, tumult, in great numbers.
HENGIST. (Sax.) Horseman .
HENRY. (Sax .) From Einrich, ever rich , or from · Honori
cus, honorable.
HERBERT. (Sax.) · From Here, ani army, and beorht, bright,
- the glory of the army. Verstegan derives it from Here,
an army, and the Teutonic bericht, instructed , - an expert
soldier.
HERMON and HARMON . (Ger.) General of an army.
HERCULES. (Greek.) Glory or illumination of the air.
HEZEKIAH . (Heb .) Strong in the Lord .
HIEL. (Heb.) God lives, or the life of God.
HILDEBERT. (Ger.) Bright or famous lord.
HIRAM . (Heb.) Exaltation of life.
282 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY ,
HORACE. From Latin, Horatius. (See below .)
HORATIO . (Lat.) Horatius, from the Greek, ópārds, or
· Opatirds, of good eyesight.
HOSEA. (Heb.) Salvation.
HUBERT. (Sax.) Of clear, bright color.
HUGH. High, or exalted.
HUMPHREY. (Sax.) From Hum -fred,house-peace.

ICHABOD. (Heb.) Where is the glory.

IRA. (Heb .) City watch, or heap of vision.
ISAAC. (Heb.) Laughter.
ISAIAH. (Heb.) Salvation of the Lord .
ISRAEL. (Heb.) A prince of the strong God.
IVAN . The same as John in Gaelic and Welsh .

JACOB. (Heb.) He that supplants, a supplanter.

JAEL. (Heb.) A kid,ascending.
JAMES. (Heb.) The same as Jacob.
JARED. (Heb.) One that rules or descends.
JASPER. (Greek .) From "Igoris, a precious stone of a green
color, transparent, with red veins.
JASON. (Greek.) 'lãow . Hethat cures, from 'Isoual,to heal
JEDEDIAH . (Heb.) Beloved of the Lord.
JEREMIAH . (Heb .) Exaltation or grandeur of the Lord.
JEREMY. (Heb.) High of the Lord.
JESSE. (Heb.) My present, orwho is to be.
JOAB. (Heb.) Paternity.
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES . 283

JOB. (Heb.) He that weeps.

JOEL. (Heb.) One that wills or commands.
JOHN. (Heb .) Signifies the grace or gift of the Lord .
JONADAB. (Heb.) Liberal, one who acts as a prince.
JONAH and JONAS: (Heb.). A dove.
JONATHAN. (Heb.) The gift of the Lord .
JOSCELIN . A diminutive from Jost or Justus, just.
JOSEPH . (Heb.) Increase,addition.
JOSHUA. (Heb.) The Lord, the Saviour.
JOSIAH. (Heb.) The fire of the Lord.
JUDAS. (Heb.) Same as Judah, praise of the Lord.
JULIUS. (Greek.) Soft haired, or mossy-bearded.
JUSTIN . (Lat.) From Justus, just, virtuous.

KENARD. (Sax.) Kind disposition .

KENHELM . (Sax.) Defense of his kindred .
KENNETH . (Gaelic.) From Ceann, the head -- a chieftain .

LAMBERT. (Sax.) Fair lamb.

LAWRENCE. (Lat.) Flourishing.
LAZARUS. (Heb .) Lord's help .
LEGER. (Ger.) Leodegar, gatherer of peoples.
LEMUEL. (Heb.) God is with them .
LEO . (Lat.) “A lion .
LEOFSTAN . (Sax.) Most beloved.
LEOFWIN. (Sax.) Win love, or to be loved .
284 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

LEONARD. (Sax.) Lion-like disposition ,

LEOPOLD. (Ger.) Defender of the people.
LEVI. (Heb.) One who is held and associated .
LEWIS. A contraction of Ludovicus, Latin for the Teutonic
Ludwig, from Leod or Lud, the people, and wick , a castle
the safeguard of the people.
LINUS. Nets.
LIONEL. (Lat.) Lionellus, little lion .
LOUIS. (Fr.) Contraction of Ludovicus or Ludwig. (See
Lewis.)
LUCIUS. (Lat.) From lux, light. A name first given to
children born at the dawning of the day. ,
LUKE and LUCAS. (Greek.) Luminous.

MADOC. (Br.) Good .

MALICHI. (Heb .) Mymessenger or angel.
MANOAH. (Heb.) Rest, or a gift.
MARCELLUS. (Lat.) From Mars, the god of war- martial,
warlike.
MARCUS and MARK . (Lat.) A name first given to chil
dren born in the month of March. - Marcus also means
polite, shining
MARMADUKE. (Ger.) From Mermachtig, which in old
Saxon signified more mighty.
MARTIN . (Lat.) From Martius, Mars, the god of war.
MATTHEW . (Heb.) The gift ofGod.
MATTHIAS. (Heb.) The gift of the Lord .
MAXIMILIAN. A name devised by the Emperor Frederic
the Third , who composed it for his son and heir from the
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. 285
names of the two Romans whom he most admired , Q . Fab
ius Maximus, and Scipio Æmilianus, with the hope that his
son would imitate their virtues.
MICHAEL. (Heb.) Who is like God ? One of the names
of Christ.
MILES. (Lat.) Milo, from Milium , a kind of grain called
millet. Some think it to be a contraction of Michael.
MORDECAI. (Heb.) Bitter contrition .
· MORGAN. (Br.) A seaman, from mor, the sea; like the
Latin, Pelagius, Marius.
MORICE. From the Latin , Mauritius, and that from Maurus,
a moor.
MOSES. (Heb.) Drawn forth.

NAOMI. (Heb.) Beautiful, comely .

NATHAN. (Heb.) Given.
NATHANIEL. (Heb.) The gift ofGod.
NEAL. (Fr.) From the Latin nigellus or nigel, black or
swarthy.
NERO. (Lat.) Strong.
NICHOLAS. (Greek.) Victorious, from vixów , to conquer.
NIGEL. From the Latin Nigellus, black ,swarthy.
NOAH. (Heb.) A ceasing or rest.
NOEL. (Fr.) The same as the Latin natalis, given first in
honor of the feast of Christ's birth to such as were born on
Christmas day .
NORMAN. From Normandy, so called from the Northmen
who settled there from the north of Europe.
 AL
288 ETYMOLOGIC DICTIONARY
OBADIAH. (Heb.) Servant ofthe Lord.
OLIVER . From the Latin Oliva , an olive- tree, an emblem of
peace.
OSBERN . (Sax.) House-child .
OSBERT. (Sax.) Domestic brightness.
OSMUND. (Sax.) House-peace.
OSWOLD . (Sax.) House-ruler or steward .
OTHO. A faithful reconciler, according to Petrus Blesensis.

PASCAL. From Pascha, the passover.

PATRICK . (Latin .) From Patricius, a peer, a noble, a name
given first to senators' sons.
PAUL. (Lat.) From paulus, little, humble, small in stature.
PAYNE . From the Latin Paganus, now out of use, meaning
a man exempt from military service.
PELATIAH. (Heb.) Deliverance or flight of the Lord.
PERCIVAL. (Nor.) From Percheval,a place in Normandy.
PEREGRINE . (Lat.) A stranger, a foreigner.
PETER. (Greek.) From Témpos, a stone or rock.
PHILEBERT. (Ger.) Much brightfame, very famous. .
PHILEMON. (Greek.) Pianuwv. A kiss or loving.
PHILIP. (Greek.) From pinos, a lover or friend, and ITTOS,
a horse - a lover of horses.
PHILETUS. (Greek.) Quantos. Beloved or amiable.
PHINEAS. (Heb.) Face of trust or protection.
PIUS. (Lat.) Pious.
POMPEY. (Lat.) Pomposus, full of pomp. .
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. 287
QUINTIN . (Lat.) From quintus, the fifth, a name given to
he fifth born .

RALPH. (Sax.) Contracted from Rodolph or Rodolphus, from

Rode, counsel, and ulph, help. ..
RANDAL. (Sax.) Corrupted from Randulph , from rein , pure,
and ulph, help . .
RANDOLPH . The same as Ranulf or Randal.
RAPHAEL. (Heb.) The healing of God.
REUBEN.. (Heb.) The son of vision .
REUEL. (Heb.) Shepherd or friend of God.
REYNOLD . (Sax.) Sincere or pure love, from rein , pure,and
. hold , love.
RICHARD. (Sax.) From ric, rich, and ard, nature or dispo
sition - of a liberal disposition.
ROBERT. (Sax.) Famous in counsel, from Rode, counsel,
and beorht, bright.
ROBIN . Same as Robert.
RODERICK . (Sax.) Rich in counsel, from Rode, counsel, and
ric, rich .
ROGER. (Ger.) Quiet, desirous of rest.
ROLAND. (Ger.) Counsel for the land.
RUFUS. (Nor. Fr.) Red.
RUPERT. Probably the same as Robert.
SALATHIEL . (Heb.) I besought God.
SALMON . (Heb.) Peaceable.
SAMSON. (Heb.) His sun or his ministry.
SAMUEL. (Heb .) Heard ofGod , a prophet.
SAUL. (Heb.) Asked or lent of the Lord ; also a grave.
SEBASTIAN . (Greek.) From Zeßaords, reverend or majes
tical, the same as the Latin Augustus.
288 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
SETH. (Heb.) Set as a foundation.
SIGISMUND. (Sax.) From sige, victory,and mund , peace,
one who procures peace yet so as by victory. Verstegan
and Junius derive it from the Teutonic Siege, victory , and
mund, mouth, one who conquers by good words: so Sig
helm , victorious defense ; Sigebert, victorious fame.
SIMEON . (Heb.) Hearing, obeying.
SIMON. Same as Simeon.
SOLOMON. (Heb.) Peaceable, perfect, or that recompenses.
STEPHEN . (Greek.) From Etépávos, a crown or garland ;
honor, distinction .
SWITHIN . (Sax.) From the old English switheann, very
high, like the Latin Celsus.
SYLVANUS. (Lat.) Wood-man, or rather wood-God.
SYLVESTER. (Lat.) Woodman.

TERENCE . Lat., Terentius, tender.

TERTULLUS. A liar or impostor.
THEOBALD . (Sax.) From theod ,the people, and bald, bold,
- bold over the people ; sometimes corrupted to Tibald or
Thibald .
THEODORE . (Greek.) From Oeds, God, and sūpov, a gift
the gift ofGod.
THEODORIC. (Sax.) From Theod, the people, and ric, rich
- powerful or rich in people ; contracted to Terry with the
French, and Derick and Dirck with the Dutch.
THEOPHILUS. (Greek .) From Ocòs, God, and píros, a
lover or friend - a lover ofGod.
THOMAS. (Heb.) A twin , double, called in Greek Aidupos,
of two hearts,because of his doubting.
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. 289
TIMEUS. (Gr.) From típios, perfect, honorable,admirable.
TIMON. (Gr.) Honorable, worthy, from Tipwv.
TIMOTHEUS. (Greek .) An honorer of God, from Tíuwv,
one who honors, and Oeds,God .
TIMOTHY. (Greek.) Same as Timotheus, an honorer of
God.
TITUS. (Lat.) Honorable.
TOBIAS and TOBIAH . (Heb.) The goodness ofGod.
TOBY . A corruption of Tobias. It is also the Welsh for
Thomas.
TRISTRAM . (Lat.) From Tristus, sad, sorrowful.

UCHTRED. (Sax.) High counsel.

URBAN . (Lat.) Civil, courteous.
URIAH . (Heb.) The fire of the Lord .

VALENS. (Lat.) Puissant, brave, able.

VALENTINE. (Lat.) The sameas Valens.
VICTOR. (Lat.) A conqueror.
VINCENT. (Lat.) Victorious, a conqueror.
WALTER. (Sax.) Waldher, from Wald , a wood, and heer, a
master the master or lord of the wood, like the Latin , Syt
vanus, or Sylvester.
WIBERT. (Sax.) From Wi, holy, and bert, bright- holy,
and bright or shining.
WILDRED. (Sax.) Much fear.
WILFRED. (Sax.) Much peace .
13
 290 DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIAN NAMES.
WILLIAM . (Ger.) Wilhelm . Some derive it from the Bel
gic, Guild -helm , harnessed with a gilded helmet, and others,
with more probability , from Wil-helm , the shield or defense
of many, wel, and wil, being used by the Germans in the
sense of many or much , as in Wildred and Wilfred above ;
Wilibert, and Wilwald .
· WIMUND. (Sax.) Sacred peace, or holy peace, from Wi,
holy or sacred, and mund, peace.
WISCHARD. (Nor.) Wily , crafty, a shifter. Sometimes
written , Guiscard.
WOLFERT. A corruption of Wulpher, helper.
WOLSTAN. (Sax.) Comely, decent.
WULPHER . (Sax.) Helper.

ZACHARY and ZACHARIAH . (Heb.) Thememory of the

Lord.
ZADOO. (Heb .). Just, justified .
ZERAH . (Heb.) East or brightness.
ZOPHAR . (Heb.) Rising eariy.
 NAMES OF WOMEN .

ABIGAIL . (Heb.) The father's joy .

ADA. (Sax.) A corruption of Eade, an old Saxon name, sig
nifying happiness. Eadith , now Edith , and Ida , are from
the same. (See Edith.)
ADELAIDE. (Sax.) Noble, from Adeliz, the sameas Alice.

AGATHA. (Greek.) Good, from 'Ayáo).

AGNES. (Greek.) Chaste, from Ayon .
ALETHEIA. (Greek.) Truth, from 'Adebela .
ALICE . (Sax.) Abridged from Adeliz, noble, the same as
Adeline and Adelaide.
The French make it defendress, by turning it into Alexia , in
their language.
AMY. (Fr.) Amie, beloved , from the Latin, amata .
ANASTASIA. (Greek .) Given in remembrance of Christ's
glorious resurrection, and ours in Christ, from åváotãous, the
act of rising up — the resurrection.
ANNE and ANNA. (Heb.) Gracious ormerciful.
ANNETTE . A diminutive of Ann ; little and pretty Ann.
ANTOINETTE and ANTONIA . Feminine of Antony or
Anthony, from the Greek , čvôos, a flower.
ARABELLA . (Lat.) A fair altar, from ara, and bella .
292 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

AURELIA. (Lat.) Feminine of Aurelius, golden — little

golden dame.
AURORA. The morning, the dawn; as if “ Aurea hora,” the
golden hour.

BARBARA . (Greek.) Strange, of unknown language, a base

barian .
BEATRICE . (Latin .) From beatric, blessed, happy.
BERTHA. (Sax.) Bright and famous.
BLANCHE. (Fr.) White or fair.
BRIDGET. (Gaelic .) Brighid , “ fiery dart.” The name of
themuse who was believed to preside over poetry in pagan
times, in Ireland. Brighid , in the Gaelic, also signifies a hos
tage, a pledge of security.

CAROLINE. (Ger.) The feminine of Karl, or Charles, the

manlike, the strong, the daring .
CASSANDRA. (Greek.) Inflamingmen with love.
CATHERINE. (Greek.) Pure, chaste,from Kaðūpos.
CECILIA. (Latin.) Grey -eyed.
CHARLOTTE. The French feminine of Charles.
CHLOE. (Greek.) The verdant, springing, blooming ; an
epithet of Ceres, the goddess of husbandry , from Chloe,
springing grass or corn.
CHRISTINE. Feminine of Christian.
CLARA. (Lat.) Clear, bright, renowned , illustrious— the
feminine of Clarence.
CLAUDIA and CLAUDINE. (Latin.) Feminine of Claudius.
CLEMENTINE. (Lat.) Feminine of Clement, kind, gentle,
merciful, from Clemens.
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. 293
CONSTANCE. (Lat.) Constant, firm , unyielding.
CYNTHIA. (Gr.) An epithet of Diana. Apollo was called
Cynthius, and Diana Cynthia, from Cynthus, a mountain in
the island of Delos, in which they were born. She was
called also Delia, from the name of the island.

DEBORAH . (Heb .) A bee.

DELIA . (Lat.) A name given to the goddess Diana from
being born on the island of Delos (manifest, conspicuous), so
called because having previously been hidden under water,
it was brought to the surface and made manifest, in order
that Apollo and Dianamight be born upon it.
DIANA. (Greek.) Jove's daughter, from Aíos, the genitive
of Zeus, Jove, — the ancient name of the moon or the moon
. goddess. She was called also Delia , Phoebe, and Cynthia .
Some have derived it from Dianus, Janus, fem ., Diana, a
Roman god with two faces, symbolizing the sun and moon.
DIDO. A Phoenician namesignifying a manlike woman . '
DORCAS. (Greek .) A doe,a roe -buck . Lucretius says that
by that name amorous knights were wont to call freckled,
warty, and wooden -faced wenches.

EDITH. (Sax.) From Eadith or Eade, an old Saxon name

signifying happiness or blessed , from Eadig, happy, blessed ,
honorable. It has been corrupted to Ada and Ida.
ELEANOR. The same as Ellen or Helen, pitiful, compas
sionate.
ELIZA. A contraction of Elizabeth .
ELIZABETH . (Heb.) The oath of God, or God hath sworn.
ELSIE. A corruption of Alice.
 294 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
EMMA. (Ger.) From Amme, a nurse, one who nurses, cares
for, and watches over another, tender,affectionate, the same
as Eutrophine, among the Greeks. Emma, daughter of
Richard , the first Duke of Normandy, was called in Saxon
Elgiva , help -giver. It was sometimes written Imma, the
name of the daughter of Charlemagne. Some have derived
it from imme, a bee, busy , industrious.
EMMELINE. A diminutive of Emma, little Emma.
EMILY. The sameas Emmeline.
ESTHER. (Heb.) Secret or hidden.
ETHEL. (Sax .) Noble.
EUGENIA . The feminine of Eugene, which is from the Greek
Évyevns, nobly born.
EVE and EVA. (Heb.) Life -giving.

FANNY. A corruption of Frances.

FELICIA. The feminine of Felix (Lat.), happy, fortunate.
FLORENCE. (Lat.) Flourishing, prosperous, from Florens.
FRANCES. The feminine of Francis, from Frank, free, not
servile or bond.

GEORGINA and GEORGIANA. Feminine of George,which

see.
GERTRUDE. (Ger.) All truth, amiable.
GILLIAN . A corruption of Julian , feminine of Julius, Greek,
soft-haired .
GOODITH and GOODY. Contracted from Good-wife. King
Henry the First was nicknamed Goodith, in contempt.
GRACE. The signification of this name is well known.
GRISHILD . Gray lady.
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. 295

HAGAR . (Heb.) A stranger.

HANNAH. (Heb.) Gracious,merciful.
HARRIET. The feminine of Harry or Henry ; the samu as
Henrietta. See Henry .
HELEN . (Greek .) Pitiful, compassionate. Ellen is a differ
ent form of the samename. It is often contracted to Nelly
and Nell.
HENRIETTA . The feminine of Henry,which is derived from
the German Einrich, ever rich.
HONORA. (Lat.) Honorable, graceful, handsome.
HULDAH. (Heb .) The world.

IDA. The same as Ada. and Edith . From Eade, or Eadith ,

Saxon, happy, blessed.
IONE. (Greek .) From the island Ionia.
ISABEL. (Spanish .) The same as Elizabeth with the Span
ish , as they always translate Elizabeth into Isabel. It is
also said to signify olive- complexioned or brown.

JANE. Anciently Joane, the feminine of John, gracious.

JANET. A diminutive of Jane, little and pretty Jane.
JEMIMA. (Heb .) Handsome as the day.
JOSEPHINE . (Heb .) The feminine of Joseph, which signi
fies increase, addition.
JUDITH. (Heb.) Praising, confessing.
JULIA and JULIANA. (Lat.) The feminine of Julius,
Greek, soft-haired.
296 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
KATHARINE. (Greek.) Pure, virtuous, fro:2 Kaoápos.
KATHLEEN. (Celtic.) Little darling.

LAURA. (Lat.) Bay or laurel, crowned with laurel, from

laurus ; corresponding to the Greek name Daphne. The
feminine of Lawrence.
LETITIA. (Lat.) From lætitia , joyfulness, mirth.
LETTICE. A corruption of Letitia.
LETTY. A corruption of Lettice and Letitia.
LOUISA. The feminine of Louis or Lewis. (See Lewis.)
LUCRETIA . (Lat.) The feminine of Lucretius, from lucrum ,
gain , a nameproper for a good housewife.
LUCY. (Lat.) From lux, light, lightsome, bright, a name
given first to children that were born when daylight first
appeared .
LYDIA. (Greek.) From Lydia, in Asia, because born in that
region.

MABEL . From the French ma belle,my fair maid . Camden

thinks it a contraction of the Latin , amabilis, lovely, amiable,
as it used to be written in old deeds, Amabilia , and Mabilia .
MADELINE. The same as Adeline (which see ).
MAGDALEN. (Heb.) Majestical.
MARGARET and MARGERY . (Greek.) From Mapyapītes, a
pearl, precious.
MARIA and MARIAN . The same as Mary, exalted.
MARTHA. (Heb.) Bitter.
MARY. (Heb.) Exalted . It is a famous namein both sacred
and profane history ; in all ages it has literally been exalted.
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. 297
Some derive the name from maria, bitter,a drop of salt
water, a tear.
MATILDA. (Ger.) A noble or honorable lady. (See Maud.)
MAUD. A corruption of Matilde or Matilda. From the Ger
man Matildis or Mathildis, Latin , Matilda, noble or honor
able lady.
MELICENT and MILICENT. (French .) Honey-sweet.
MIRIAM . (Heb .) Bitterness of affliction , exalted, bitterness
of the sea.

NANCY. A corruption of Ann.

NANETTE and NINON. (Fr.) Nan, Nancy , same as Ann,
little Ann.
NICIA . (Greek .) Victorious, from vikn,a victory, a triumph.

OLIVIA and OLIVE . (Lat.) The feminine of Oliver. From

the Latin Oliva, the olive tree, an emblem ofpeace.
OLYMPIA. (Greek.) Heavenly,from 'Olvuros,heaven.

PAULINE. The feminine of Paul, from the Latin, Paulus,

little, small in stature.
PENELOPE. (Greek .) The name of a kind of bird , with a
purple neck . The name of the most patient,true, constant,
fully loved and fed those birds.
PERNEL. (Fr.) From Petronilla, pretty stone.
PHEBE. (Greek .) The feminine of Phoebus, from the Greek
poißos, light, splendid, radiant,a name of Diana. Phoebus,
denoting Apollo, or the sun ; Phoebe, Diana, or themoon.
298 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

PHILIPPA. (Greek.) Feminine of Philip (which see).

PHILLIS. (Greek .) Lovely, dear, cherished from pian.
POLYXENA . (Greek.) One that will entertain many guests
and strangers, from tool, many, and Févol, straagers,
guests.
PRISCA. (Lat.) Ancient.

dame.
PRUDENCE . (Lat.) Prudentia, wisdom , corresponding to
the Greek name, Sophia .

RACHEL. (Heb.) A sheep.

REBECCA . (Heb.) Fat and full.
REGINA. (Lat.) The queen, queen-like.
RHODA. (Greek.) A rose, from pódov,
ROSALIA. (Lat.) From Rosa, fair as a rose.
ROSALIND. The same as Rosalia, from Rosa, a rose.
ROSAMUND. Rose of the world , from rosa , and mundi ; or
from rosa , Latin, and mund, Saxon, a mouth, from her rosy
colored lips ; a namemade famousby Fair Rosamund,mis
tress of Henry the Second.

ROWENA. (Sax.) From Rouw , Dutch, peace, and rinnan,

Saxon, to acquire. The name of the beautiful daughter of
Hengist, a renowned leader of the Saxons, “ who, having
the Isle of Thanet given him by King Vortigern for assisting

as he could encompass with an ox-hide, on which to build

a castle, which being finished, he invited King Vortigern to
a supper. After supper Hengist calls for his daughter Row
 OF CHRISTIAN NAMES . 299
ena,who, richly attired, enters the room with a graceful
mien , with a golden bowl full of wine in her hand, and
drinks to King Vortigern in the Saxon language, saying,
' Be of health , lord, king,' to which he replied , ' Drink
health,' which, I think, is the first health we find in history,
and claims the antiquity of about 1400 years. Vortigern,

her father all Kent.” .

RUTH. (Heb.) Satisfied. .

SABINA. (Lat.) As chaste and religious as a Sabine, a peo

ple who had their name from their worshiping of God.
SARAH. (Heb.) Lady,mistress, or dame. . .
. SOPHIA. (Greek.) Wisdom , from codíc. . -
SOPHRONIA . (Greek .) Modest and temperate ; prudent,
from ooppooûvn,modesty, chastity. .
SYBIL, God 's counsel; others derive it from the Hebrew ,
: , signifying divine doctrine.
SYLVIA. (Lat.) From Sylva , a forest- belonging to the
forest.

TABITHA. (Heb.) Roe-buck . '.

THEODORA. The feminine of Theodore, Greek, the gift of
God.
THEODOSIA. The sameas Theodora, the gift of God . "

URANIA. (Greek.) Heavenly , from Oupavos, heavenly.

URSULA. (Lat.) A little bear. The name of the virgin
saint of Britain , martyred under God 's scourge, Attila, king
of the Huns.
Le
800 DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIAN NAMES.
VENUS. (Lat.) Coming to all, as Cicero derives it, from
veniendo. In Greek , Venus was called Aphrodite, some say
from the foam of the sea whence she sprung, but Euripides
says from Aphrosune,mad folly.
VIOLA. (Lat.) Viola, a violet,pretty and modest.
VIRGINIA. (Lat.) Virgin-like, chaste,maidenly.

WILHELMINA. (Ger.) The feminine of Wilhelm or Wil

liam . (See William .)
WINIFRED. (Sax.) From Win, and fred, get peace.

THE END .
 Books Published by Sheldon, Blakeman of Co.

· LIFE IN ISRAEL ;
PORTRAITURES OF HEBREW CHARACTER.
BY
MARIA T. RICHARDS ,
AUTHOR OF “ LIFE IN JUDEA."
ONE VOL ., 12mo. PRICE ONE DOLLAR .
The simple purpose of this work is to invest with new interest some of the most
prominent eras of Jewish history. It consists of three parts, each complete in itself,
under the designation of " The Pilgrimage," The Reign of Solomon,” and “ The Cap
tivity." Though the parts are distinct and independent of each other, yet the whole
series is connected by a chain of successive developments of one idea, that of a coming
Saviour. The object of the writer in this volume has been single, to awaken a deeper
interest in those parts of the Old Testamentwhich are too often regarded by many
readers as uninteresting details ofstatistical facts. To effect this end, she has sought,
with the aid of a chastened imagination, to clothe the scenes and characters of Jewish
history with life-like charms, and thus present to her readers a series of vivid pic
tures of those times which pertain to the earlier annals of the Israelites.
* Life in Judea," published two years ago, was received with great favor, and has
had a circulation far beyond the expectations of the author. The purity of its style
and the grace of a flowing imagery, gave to her narrations in that volume an interest
that secured a wide circle of readers. The present volumehas been prepared with still
greater care than the former, and is offered by the publishers to the public as a work
of decided merit. The following are someof the notices of " Life in Judea," selected
from the press, at the time of its first publication.
“ This is a charming volume, and cannot fail to interestthe reader. We have been
particularly impressed with the happy introduction of Scripture quotations in prose and
verse. These passages, in pathos, beauty and sublimity, fartranscend the highest flight
of Shakspeare and Milton. The book is true to history. Its type of Christianity is
simple, attractive and evangelic.” -- Christian Times.
“ It is a charming book. The conception of it was felicitous, and the execution, even
in its minuter details, is worthy the conception." - Am . Baptist Memorial.
This is truly a fascinating volume- its style brilliant and poetic ; its characters skii
fully portrayed, and its plan weil conceived and carried out. It is a production evin
cing high genius and extensive reading, andmust command a very large circulation .
Wemost cordially comniend it to our readers " - Religious Herald .
" It is a production characterized by power, interest and beauty, while its develop
ments of character and flow of incident, have that vraisemblance without which such a
work would be wanting in its crowning charm ." - Southern Baptist
THE LADY ANGELINE ; A lay ofthe Apalachians,the Hours,andother Poems,by
Rev. Louis L.Noble, M . A. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth. 75 cts. Full gilt, $ 1 25.
 Books Published by Sheldon, Blakeman of Co.

A NEW WORK BY DR. WAYLAND.

PRINCIPLES
AND

PRACTICES OF BAPTISTS.
BY

FRANCIS WAYLAND, D.D.

ONE VOLUME, 12moi CLOTH , $ 1.00.
" The name of Dr. Wayland, upon the title page , is a sufficient introduction to any
book . He is one of the limited class who never puts pen to paper unless he has some
thing to say. He is a vigorous thinker, has the faculty of expressing his thoughts in a
style of remarkable perspicuity and is strictly honest in the views he advances." — Troy
Budget.
“ DERIVA CION OF NAMES,” an Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian
Names- with an Essay on their derivation and import. By Rev. William Arthur,
M .A . 1 vol. 12 mo. $1 25.
" This is a curious book , and has evidently cost a vast amount of labor and
patient research . It is a sort of dictionary of popular names, showing the origin , de
rivation and signification of those most frequently met with,and is introduced by an es
say on the origin and import ofnames which will be found singularly interesting and
full of information , and amusing anecdote and illustration ,not met with in the way of
a man 's ordinary reading."
BONGS AND BALLADS, by Rev. Sidney Dyer. 1 vol. 12 mo. Cloth, with a steelpor
trait. Price 75 cents.
 Books Published by Sheldon , Blakeman & Co .
THE WORKS OF HERMANN OLSHAUSEN, D.D .

JUST PUBLISHED ,
COMMENTARIES
ON THE

NEW TESTAMENT,
BY
PROF. HERMANN OLSHAUSEN, D.D .
LATE PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ERLANGEN.

Vols. 1 and 2 Now Ready.

PRICE PER Volume - Cloth, $ 2.00. Sheep, $2.25. Hau Calf, $3.00 .
These invaluable commentaries will be given to the public at short intervals, com
moncing with the GOSPELS.
Perhaps no modern commentator has been roceived with more confidence and affoction
by the pious and intelligent student of the Bible, than Olshausen, while in America tho
expensiveness of the English edition has been the only reason which has prevented a
very large class from enjoying theresults of his past researches in Biblical criticism .
The presentedition will be superior to all others,embodying as it does allof Eberhard 's
valuable additions, and having received the careful revision and editorship of
THE REV. A . C . KENDRICK , D .D .,
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER,
Whose fitness for this important and difficult task will be cordially conceded whorever
his great Biblical attainments and his proficiency in the native language of Olshausen
are known
 Books Published by Sheldon, Blakeman f. Co.
SERMONS OF TIE
REV. C . HOF. LONDON.
SPURGEON ,
With an Introduction and Sketch ofhis Life,by the Rev. E. L. Magoon, D .D. 1 vola,
12 mo, 357 pages. WITH A FINE LITHOGRAPI PORTRAIT. Price $1.
" THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PREACHER IN LONDON."
" THE MODERN WHITFIELD ."
Such are someof the
Sermons in this volume.
terms used in speaking of the celebrated clergyman ,author of the
" Never, since the days of George Whitfield and Edward Irving, has any minister of
religion acquired so great a reputation as this preacher in so short a time. There is no
man in Great Britain who can draw such immense audiences ; and none who, in his hap
piest efforts, can so completely enthral the attention and delight the minds of his hear
ers." - Correspondent of the Independent.
From the True Union , Baltimore.
“ Rarely have we seen a more clear exhibition of theway of Salvation through a cruci
filed Redeemer - more striking figures and illustrations- -more home appeals to the heart
and conscience. We do not think the perusal of these Sermons can failto affect favorably
the preaching ofministers who may study them ."
From the Christian IIerald .
" That these Sermons show Mr. Spurgeon to be of a mind ofmanly and true evangeli.
cal satisfied.”
be tone, as well as of lofty and most eloquent utterance, we have only to read them to
From the New York Sun .
With a boyish countenance and a figure under themidåle size - -owing nothing to his
personal appearance, the ingenuity of critics has been taxed, to solve the problem of his
extraordinary influence: one ascribes it to the rich melody and perfectmodulation of his
voice ; another to his rare powers of observation and assimilation - or to his knowledge
of nature, and his attainments in literature and science ; another to his mastery over the
graces ofelocution . He himself says : ' I am a child , having little education , little learn
ing, ability or talent. Without the Spirit of God I feel I am utterly unable to speak
to you.
“ These Sermonsshow evidence of a wonderful power of illustration and appeal, as well
As a clear conception and profound experience of evangelical truth. One reads them with
themost intense interest, and readily understands with what power they must have
come to those who originally heard them , with the accompaniments of the voice and
manner of the true orator. A likeness of the preacher faces the title page. Wehope
hope that, as their delivery was the means of conversion to great numbers, so their peru
sal may be equally blessed to numbers more."
From the Albany State Register.
is refreshing to get hold ofa book ofSermons like this. The old worn -ontano
stereotyped phrases that are met with in ninety -nine out of a hundred of every book of
sermons you take up are here lacking. Instead of which yon find fresh, piquant language,
embodying the ight that may have been struggling in your mind years past for an ex
and a force you cannot in any manner resist."
 Books Published by Sheldon, Blakeman & Co.
A New and Valuable Religious Book for the People.
THE
BAPTIST DENOMINATION :
Its Origin , Rise and Identity with the Primitive Church ; Its Doctrines
and Practice ; its Polity ; its Persecutions and Martyrs ; Facts and
Statistics of its Missionary Institutions; Schools of Learning ; Peri
odicals and Churches ; the obligation of the World to Baptists, and
theduty of Baptists to the World ; designed to exhibit its condition in
all ages of Christianity .
BY REV. D . O . HAYNES,
OF PHILADELPHIA.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY REV. JOHN DOWLING D.D .
Une Vol. 12mo,Muslin, Price One Dollar.
WE QUOTE A FEW COMMENDATIONS OF THE BOOK.
From Rev. Dr. BELCHER, of Philadelphia.
“ I thank you for an opportunity to examine your valuable manuscript, and for the
talent and care shown in its preparation. While entirely different from anything yet
published, it presents facts and principles which the members of our churches nned to
understand, and which would tend to increase their piety and usefulness. May ample
success follow your labors.”
From Rev. Dr. DOWLING, of Philadelphia .
“ As a book for popular reading and reference, I think it would be very valuable, aná
meet with a ready sale. The Catena Baptistærum (as it may be called ), or connected
chain of Baptists from John the Baptist down to the British and American Baptists, is
te as the proposed brevity of the book would admit, and will be
prized by the mass of our Baptist people,who have not access to the voluminous author
ities which have been consulted . The book, when published, by its comprehensiveness
of plan and compactness of execution , will be an admirable specimen of a Baptist 'mul.
tum in paryo.'"
" It fills an important place, for which we have no other book. The style is clear, the
spirit is kind, the reasoning careful, and the argument conclusive. Wo noed it as a
manual of Baptist polity and history . Baptists have done a great and good work already ,
and have a greater and more glorious one in the future, and our churches necd to be
instructed both in the principles of their faith , and in the greatness of their achieve.
ments. I am persuaded that this book will render important aid ."
From REV JOSEPH BANVARD, of New York.
" Your history of the Baptists is an interesting and eminently useful work , just such
an one as every minister and every intelligent Christian ought to have in his library. It
presents in a condensod form the results of extended research, with reference to the ori
gin . tho history, the persecutions, the polity , and the present condition of our denomi
nation, in a manner which makes a reference to any of these subjects perfectly easy. I
should rejoice to learn of its wide circulation."
 Books Published by Sheldon, Blakeman f. Co.
HISTORY OF THE BONAPARTE FAMILY ; or the Napoleon Dynasty.
An entirely new work by the Berkeley Men. With 22 authentic portraits. 1 vol.
8vo.,624 pp. Price $2.50.
A very handsomevolume, in paper, typography and plates, greets us under the title here
given - and after the numberless books heretofore published in the shape of memoirs, bio
graphies ar : histories, about the Bonapartes, and him in particular who was the Bona
parte - it will be fonnd fresh and new in many of its details, and attractive by its dashing
style and rapid narrative. All the members of the family , including the young brevet lieu
tenantin the U . S . Army, who has just been graduated from West Point, and who bears the
name both of his grand-father and his grand -uncle- Napoleon Jerome Bonaparte - are duly
chronicled here , and among the documents new to us, and we believe before unpublished,
contained in this work , is the correspondence between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII., rela
tive to the divorce which Napoleon urged the Holy Father to pronounce between Jeromeand
his American wife , Miss Patterson - and the absolute refusal of the Sovereign Pontiff to com
ply with his request. There is much dignity and manliness in the letter of the Pope, and
exceeding littleness in that of the Emperor.
Josephine,
figure in theseHortense,
pages; andMaria
eachLouisa, Joseph Beauharnais,
has a portrait said to be, andMurat,
with and
greatindeed all theaccu
probability, race.
rate likenesses." - Courier and Enquirer.
“ We heartily commend it to the attention of our readers, as one of the most valuablo
workswhich has recently been published.” — Evening Mirror.
“ A work of deep interestand undoubted authenticity.” — Journalof Commerce.
“ The Berkeley Men have produced a Book which forms a valuable addition to the bio
graphical literature of the world , and bears on its face the impress of great historical
research and ability. There is not a dry page in it." - Sunday Allas.
“ This work is surpassingly beautiful.” _ Boston Evening Gazetle.
We feel assured that wemay commend it for its eloquent and brilliant character as a
literary work . Pens of more than ordinary power having evidently been engaged in its
productiun." - Philadelphia Courier .
“ The design of the book is carried out with great skill; the style is terse, but glowing;
the typography of the highest order, and the portraits from originalsources, executed with
care and truthfulness. We do not see how it can fail to acquire a popularity and circula
tion seldom equaled by any biographical production." - N . Y. Times.
THE ROMISH CONTROVERSY. Being a Series of Essays on some
of the Leading Doctrines of the Church of Rome,as follows :
THE DOCTRINE OF TRANSUBSTANTIATION, subversive of the foundations of Human Belief,
therefore, incapable of being proved by any Evidence, or of being believed by Men under
the influence of Common Sense.
THE RIGHT AND DUTY of allmen to read the Scriptures.
The scheme of Salvation by Law and Grace irreconcilable with itself.
Strictures on the Speech of Rt. Hon.Wm . C. Plunkot, on the Catholic question .
Strictures on the Letter of J. K . L ., & c., & c., & c., & c.
One Volume, 12mo. Muslin . $1.00.
THE NEIGHBORS. A story of every day life. By FREDERIKA BREMER.
Translated from the Swedish by Mary Howitt. Author's edition, with a new Preface
1 vol. 12mo. 439 pp. Price $ 1.00.
A NEW AND COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PRONUNCIATION AND
READING OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE. Illustrated with analogous English
sounds. By NORMAN W . CAMP, M .D . Price 50 cents.
ODD FELLOW 'S MINSTREL. Comprising a variety of Odes to be
used on anniversary and other public occasions. Edited by PASCHAL DONALSON
32mo. Gilt edges. Price 25 cents.
 Books Published by Sheldon , Blakeman & Co.
HOME LIFE. Twelve brilliant lectures on theduties and relations of
the family circle. By Rev.Wm. Hague, D.D. 1 vol., 12mo. $1; gilt, $1 25;moi.
gilt, extra, $2 25.
The following is thetable of contents, and will indicato the characterand scopeof the
book :
LECTURE I. - THE MARRIAGE INSTITUTION.
LECTURE II. - DUTIES OF THE HUSBAND.
LECTURE III. - DUTIES OF THE WIFE.
LECTURE IV . - DUTIES OF PARENTS TO CHILDREN .
LECTURE V. -- DUTIES OF CHILDREN TO PARENTS.
LECTURE VI. - DUTIES OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
LECTURE VII. - MUTUAL DUTIES OF HOUSEHOLDERS AND SERVANTS.
LECTURE VIII. - DUTIES OF PRINCIPALS TO CLERKS AND APPRENTICES.
LECTURE IX . - DUTIES OF YOUNG MEN TO THEIR EMPLOYERS.
LECTURE X . - THE USE AND ABUSE OF AMUSEMENTS.
LECTURE XI. - THE FAMILY LIBRARY.
LECTURE XII.- THE SELF GOVERNED MAN.
The classical clegance and simplicity of the style,and the warmth and naturalness of
tas eloquence of theso leotures, justify the great favor with which they were received,
and mark the present volumeas a valuable and popular contribution to our literaturo.
“ The times demand just such a work as is here produced for the family , shedding a
hallowed light on homo, promoting discipline, inspiring affection, fostering the social
virtues, and preparing for a steady, strong, and salutary influence in all the varied walks
of society . Wethink ofno man better qualified for the great and responsible task than
Dr. Hague. Could it be introduced into every family, carefully and candidly read , and
the lessons it inculcates diligently heeded, it would be worth more than any inheritanco
of silver and gold . Parents will do well to obtain this book , and place it on the parlor
table for their own use and that of their children." - Christian Chronicle,
“ There have been few more deoply interesting or more practically useful volumes
and lucid issued.
recently The are
lectures are beautifully
conveyed,written.
and every Their stylebears
is classically
. The ideas compactly sentence the impressterso
of
the Christian scholar and teacher. Many of our roaders heard them delivered ; they
will be happy to peruse them at their leisure. Those who were not thus fortunate, may
be assured of a rich , moraland intellectual feast in this volume. The lecturos are adapted
to every relation of Home Life,' and all - old and young alike- will find in them somo.
thing palatable and healthy.” — Albany Journal.
EGYPT, ARABIA PETRÆA, AND THE HOLY LAND. A Journai
of Travels in Egypt, Arabia Petræa,and the Holy Land . By DAVID MILLARD, Professor
of Biblical Antiquitiesand Sacred Geography in the Theological School, at Meadville, Pa.
1 vol. 348 pp.; embossed binding. 12mo. price $ 1.
From among the various literary notices taken ofthiswork we select the following ;
“ JOURNAL OF TRAVELS IN EGYPT, ARABIA PETRÆA AND THE HOLY LAND , BY DAVID MILLARD.
A more interesting work of the kind, we think , has rarely ever been brought before the
public . The subject treated upon recommends itself, and those who wish to save time and
gain information will find this volumea valuable companion. A general fault with descrip
tive works of this part of the globe is the size - so numerous are the thoughts thatcrowd on
the writer - here , however, we find the whole happily condensed within reasonable limits.
and with language so well chosen that the reader may intellectually follow the guidance of
the author. The writer ihinks, and we agree with him , that no volume of equal dimen .
sions can be found to contain more information on the countries ofwhich it treats than
this.' We have no personal acquaintance with the author, and know not his religious sen .
timents, but we are persuaded that, while all readers will find something in the book that
will please them , no Christian will find that vith whch he will have cause to be displeased "
Religious Recorder
" We deem this volume themost interesting book of travels relating to the countries of
which it treats, that hascome under our inspection. Its condensed form , an i se litur
ner, together with the hness of itsmatter, render it a valuable work." - 3/ The Republican
 Books Published by Sheldon, Blakeman f Co.
The Publishers invite attention to the following recommendations of
MRS. CONANT'S
ENGLISH BIBLE.
From the Nero York Evangelist.
“ The story is one of deepest import, involving acts ofheroism and daring, not lesu
than ofscholarship and piety, and so identified with the history of freedom , civilization
and literature, as to partake of the spirit of all these unspeakable interests.”
From the Christian Times, Chicago.
" It is full ofmatter; its style is graphic and pure,its spirit excellent."
From the Nero York Examiner.
“ There was room for such a work asMrs. Conant has undertaken, and the Volume
she has given us will be generally welcomed, as supplying the deficiency."
“ The work is one we should be glad to see in every Christian family."
From the Louisville Journal.
“ The work isnot only an admirable sketch of the early English versions and revisions
of the Bible, but a most skilful and forcible presentation of the very essence of the
religious History of the English race. Many portions are executed with wonderful
effect.
“ The Chapter on theMartyrdom of Frith, is among the most thrilling and powerful
pieces ofhistoricalpainting extant.
" A more comprehensive and gratifying record of thereligious progress of theAnglo
Saxon race,has never before been given or attempted."
From the Nero York Tribune.
“ In closing this article, for the materials of which we are indebted to the volumebefore
ns,wemust not omit to give our humble tribute to the learning, historical research ,
soundness ofjudgment, and masculine energy of style, which characterize its composi
tion . The claims of the author to an enyiable place in literature, which her previous
efforts have suggested, are unquestionably made good in the composition of this
volume."
From the Cambridge Chronicle.
“ The work showson almost every page, the evidence of learned investigation, and thor
ough research.
“ The style is free from the dry and harsh characteristics which render the volumes of
Anderson, Lewis, and other writers, so repulsive to all but the antiquary and the pro
fessed student of history.
“ Mrs. Conant's style is easy and elegant; she seizes the strong points and presents them
vividly to the reader. We can do no better service to our friends and readers, of all
hects, than to advise them to another this volume."
 Books Published by Sheldon, Blakeman & Co.
A BRILLIANT AND ORIGINAL STORY.
Fourth Edition Just Published.
ASPIRATION : An Autobiography of Girlhood. By MRS. MANNERS.
1 vol. 12mo. Price $ 1.
This book has been pronounced by reviewers one of the most unique and admirable
works of fiction yet produced in this country. Its graphic delineations of character, its
lence and attraction to the pure-minded reader. The following are a few of the com
ments of the critics :
“ Nothing more graphic has appeared since ' Jane Eyre.'" - N . Y. Herald.
“ Nounread.
aside young lady a who glances through ithalfis also
a dozen pagesof ofbrilliant
this volume, will throw it
thanIf romance,
interesting real autobiography,
more exciting than fiction. a work It is a drama imagination
of youthful-moro life,
joyous and sad by turns, sprightly , restless, exhibiting the passions of more ardent na
tures.” — Christian Observer.
“ Wehave seldom read a book which has pleased usmore. It should be welcometo
every Christian home." - Christian Secretary
“ In the present work we have an infusion of earnest thought and ennobling senti
ments, which parents may put into the hands of their daughters with the confidence that
it will produce a good effect."-- N . Y. Day Book .
est“ approval.
This is a good
Thanstory,of good tendency,and
the remarks at the close ofvery gracefully penned
the volume,we . Itif has
question thereouris hearti.
a fine
or more sublime passage in the whole range of English literature." - Boston Traveller.
" The reader must not infer (though the reference seems a natural one) that 'Aspira
tion' is a dull book, because it is somewhat religious in its tone. There is not a dull chap
ter in it; and we venture to say that it will win its way by its own merits to a genuine
popularity , which no tricks of the trade can ever give to the trash about which so much
noise ismade now -a-days in the papers.' - Life Ilustrated .
" The book gives the earnestworkingsofan ardentmind in early life, presenting many
highly -wroughtpictures." - Family Intelligencer.
“ This charming story is from the pen ofMrs.William C. Richards,of Providence, R . I.
The interest awakened by the announcement of its forthcoming has been more than gra
tified, as is fully proven by the increasing demand for the book." - Journal.
we shall beglad to hear that many thousandshave done so." - N . Y. Examiner.
IRVING ’S ONE THOUSAND RECEIPTS ; or, Modern and Domestic
Cookery. A completo direction for carving, pastry, cooking, preserving, pickling,
making wines, jellies, & c., & c. With a complete table of Cooking for Invalids. By
LUORETIA IRVING. 216 pp. 12mo. Muslin. Price 75 eents.
ANECDOTES: RELIGIOUS, MORAL, AND ENTERTAINING . Alpha.
betically arranged and interspersed with a variety of useful observations. Selected
by the late Rev. CHARLES BUCK, Illustrated with a steel plate frontispiece. 514 pages
12mo. Price $ 1 50.
Wehave pleasure in commending this volume to the notice of heads of families ; it is
choice in matter, elevated in tone, and altogether admirable. The Anecdotes are various,
entertaining
will and attractive,
be immediately and weacknowledged.
and generally cannot doubt thatAllitswhoclaimsupon the readinga friend,
would compliment public
are advised to purchase it. A work more entertaining generally has seldom issued from
the press, nor can we point torine calculated to produce a more wholesome impression
upon the reading public. It is sit up in handsomestyle .
 Books Published by Sheldon, Blakeman f. co.
" A Most Absorbing Book."
MRS.LINCOLN PHELPS' NEW ROMANCE, IDA NORMAN ; or, Trials
and their Uses, is one of the most popular books issued this season . Published in one
volume, 12mo, cloth , beautifully illustrated in tint. Price, $ 1 25 .
READ WHAT THE CRITICS SAY OF IT .
Oswego County Gazette. and peculiarkind, ofwhich therehasalways been too few ."
" I t is a work of thatrare
“ It is a work
popularity thatwill inbeage.”
as it increases read -everywhere, and by everybody, and will increase in
Albany Spectator.
" A work of no ordinary ability.” - Boston Transcript.
" The story is very attractive, and will be read with absorbing interest." - Christian
Ambassador.
" Few books that we have ever seen combine in an equal degree the highest moral and
religious sentiments with the highest dramatic interest. Parents who reject themass of
hooks as too light for their children to read, may place this work in their hands with
safety." - New York Recorder.
" We entered upon its perusalat the early dawn of a beautifulday. We were soon lost
to every thing else but the story of Ida Norman, and the trials and vicissitudes of life, as
presented in the chaste but forcible style of the author. The plot of the romance is happily
conceived, the counterplols are constantly imparting a new and lively interest to each
succeuding chapter of the work ." - Buffalo Express.
" It is a book which will do for the heart of every pure and noble girlmore than school
books or school teachers ever attempted. It will no where be received with the shoutand
tumult which greet those ephemeral and heated books of mystery and fashion, but it will
go to ten thousand homes, and chasten ten thousand spirits, like all the sweet and blessed
influences thatreform and refine the heart.” — Daily National Democrat.
GILFILLAN'S NEW WORK. A Third Gallery of Portraits, by Georgə
Gilfillan. Onevolume, 12mo. Cloth. Price $ 1 25.
CONTENTS :
FileMIRABEAU
of French
,
Revolutionists.(A SYDNEY
ClusterYENDYS,
of New Poets. Miscellaneous Sketches
CARLILE AND STERLING,
MARAT,
ROBESPIERRE , ALEXANDER SMITH , EMERSON,
DANTON , J. STANYONMASSEY
GERRALD BIGG ,. NEAL AND BUNYAN.
EDGAR A . POE,
VERGNIAUD
NAPOLEON , , EDMOND BURKE,
Sir Edw . LYTTON BULWER,
Constellať n ofSacred Authors. Modern
EDWARD IRVING ,
Critics.
HAZLITT AND HALLAM ,
JEFFREY AND COLERIDGE,
BENJAMIN DISRAELI,
PROF. WILSON,
HENRY ROGERS,
ISAAC TAYLOR, DELTA , . ÆSCHYLUS, PROMETHEUS
ROBERT HALL, THACKERAY, BOUND AND UNBOUND,
DR. CHALMERS. T. BABINGTON MACAULAY. | SAAKSPEARE, a Lecture.
" This volume is really one ofsurpassing excellence.” - Philadelphia Saturday Courier
“ This volume is all alive and flashing with poetic spirit,attimes challenging criticism ,
und again extorting swift admiration ." - Evening Mirror.
“ He has imbued them all with his own superabundent vitality ; we never fall asleep
while we watch the as yet undeveloped likeness leap into lightand life beneath the artist's
Qand . Gilfillan is a passionate and rapid writer ; his quick and impetuous thought has
moulded for itself
shan any man an genius
of less utterance of belanguage
would able to more
handlevigorous,
or control.moreHisterse
words,and inemphatic,
their ac
e and fiery flow , seem to feel no rein , nor to acknowledge any rider.
“ If our readers can not find in this book much to amuse, instruct, and better them ;
much tosymbol
whose make isthema tear,
smile,
thenand
wemuch
can onlyto recommend
arouse that them
noble toandlookmore humane
out for emotionas
such books
they require themselves for we can find no recent issue of the American press which,
for so many reasons and so strongly, we can recommend.” — United States Review .
“ It is an exceedingly entertaining book, and displays varied learning and scholarshi)
united with rare critical acumen and a lively riew of satire." -- New York Day Egoki.
 Books Published by Sheldon, Blakeman f Co.
COMMENTARIES ON THE NEW TESTAMENT,
BY REV. AUGUSTUS NEANDER , D . D .
Translated from thoGerman by .
MRS. H . C . CONAN T .
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN. Practically explained by Dr. A :
GUSTUS NEANDER. Translated from the German, by Mrs. H. C. Conant. 12mo.
319 pp. Prico 85 cents.
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS, and THE
EPISTLE OF JAMES. In one vol. 12mo, cloth . Price 85 cts.
THE SCRIPTURAL EXPOSITIONS of Dr. NEANDER , complete. Com
prising the above books,bound in one volume. Price $1 75.
Ofthese books tho Rev. Francis WAYLAND wrote:
u -Neander
man wasperhaps
of histhe age, learned ofin any
philosophy, and inup the
age. character
Take history
nowwhich of the Church,
his Commentary beyond
on John any
's excel
First
Epistlo-
lenceloving best
of thistemper of his
exposition works of this with I am acquainted. The
and whichis places
not at him
all owing
in so todelightful
hismarvellous
harmonylearning,but to thethechildlike
of spirit with beloved
Apostle,"
From the Hartford Religious Herald , March 6, 1856
" Neander is bestknown to our readers as the Historian of the Church, and his Eccle
.
siastical History,brought down to the period of the Reformation, hassecured for him the
reputation of being one of the most profound scholars and thinkers of the age. The
evangelical Strauss, his friend and colleague, says of him in his funeral discourse : He
did not despise human knowledge ; he sought for it with unwearied diligence ; he was a
master
cross.'
in it ; but be laid all his surprising treasures of his learning at the foot of the
“ While, however,Neander was an historian, he excelled also as an Expounder of the
Bible , and we have,as his dying legacy to the people of God ,his exposition of the Epistle
of Paul to the Philippians; theGeneral Epistle of James ; and the First Epistle General
of John. These expositions are not - asGerman Expositions usually are - works of learned
criticism merely, but are popular practical Commentaries on Divine truth, rich in the
results of study, and glowingwith the light andwarmth of a deep personal experience of
the gospel. Neander, with all his accumulated stores of learning, sat as a docile pupil
at the feet of Christ, and his Christian humility was beautifully illustrated in the fact,
thatwhen applied to for his autograph, to be placed under his engraved portrait, he gavo
toit, face."
and appended thereto the words : Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face
“ This work is exactly what it professes to be,not learned criticism , but a practical
explanation of the Epistle to the Philippians. It cozi prises two popular lectures, wbich
will not
men willfailfindto this
interest
workanyeminently
intelligentsuggestive
Christian ofwhonewwilltrains
read ofthemthoughtwhich
with care. may
Clergy
be
profitably used ofin religious
“ The friends the sacredtruth
task."will
- Literary
be glad toAdvertiser.
see this Commentary on the Epistle of
James,moremisunderstood
following so soon onthan
the this
Philippians.
Epistle, onPerhapsno
account of book of the contrariety
New Testament has
been a supposed
Its teachings and the doctrines of grace.' A more comprehensive and philosophical
between
exegosis, however, sees in the Epistles of James and Paul only the same system of truth
set forth from different points of view . The work of Neander is a most valuable assist
ance in the elucidation of this epistle. By looking at it from his own eminently historical
point of view , we are able to see, at a glance, how it falls beautifully into its place in the
system of Christ, confirming rather than weakening the great doctrines, the inculcation
of which the Holy Ghost seems to have intrusted to Paul. The translation is clear and
Idiomatic,
ofton marksandtranslations
almost entirely free from the. abstract
from theGerman and cumbrous
No clergyman or Sundayphraseology that can
-School tescuer too
fail to feel his mind invigorated and his heart enlarged by the study of this work." -- Nero
York Recorder.
“ Mrs. Conant has devoted her accomplished skill as a translator, to a good purpose, in
into English this charming production of Neander. This small volume suc
ceeds a similar one on the Epistle to the Philippians, and is itself to be followed by ano
ther on the First Epistle to John & work published since the Author's death . Wecannot
doubt that these volumes will be desired by ministers generally, and we commend them
to all thoughtful students of the Bible." - Watchman and Reflector.
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PICTURE PLAY-BOOK . By PETER PARLEY. Large 4to. 365 cuts . Illu .
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