DERIVATION OF NAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 260, 2 November 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

DERIVATION OF NAMES.

It is said that all surnames come from one of the following sources—baptismal or personal names, localities, dignitaries and officers, occupations, nicknames. As examples of surnames coming from baptismal or personal names the following are some of the most common: —A-man named John having a son, the son was distinguished from the father by being called "John's son," and from this came the surname of Johnson; from Richard, James, and William we have Richardson, Jameson, and Williamson. The following are examples of surnames derived from localities in which persons lived: —A man living near a brook was known as "John at the Brook," and we have from this the surname Brooke and Brooks. Then "Gilbert at the Wood" gives us the surnames Atwood and Wood, "William at the Water," Atwater and Waters. Examples of surnames from dignitaries and officers: —Lord, Cardinal, Bishop. Sheriff, Judge. Justice, Priest. The following surnames came from occupations: —Smith, Carpenter, Painter, Beeman, Honeyman, Fisher, Miller, Barber, Wheelwright, Falconer. The following nicknames became surnames:— Cruickshanks, Whitehead, Redman, Shortman, Proudfoot, Lightfoot, Prettiman, Whiteman.