ABOUT SURNAMES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 834, 8 April 1885, Page 2

ABOUT SURNAMES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —With reference to a paragraph lately going the rounds respecting some queer names in a London Directory, I have analysed some of the names in my recently published directory, and have found that, allowance being made for the smallness of our population, a much larger proportion of names of a similar description to those mentioned is found in Dunedin. The following are a few examples out of the many more which might be given : —42 Joneses, 14 Robin J sons, and 143 Smiths ; 4 Birds, 33 Martins, 6Sparrows, 1 Jay, 2 Mallards, 2 Buntings, 3" Doves, 2 Cranes, 8 Finches, 1 Partridge, 4 Swans, 3 Peacocks, 3 Drakes, 2 Robins, 3 Wrens, 4 Crows, 2 Herrons, 1 Nightingale, and one Chick ; 1 Bull, 12 Hoggs, 7 Lambs, 2 Bucks, 1 Roebuck, 11 Foxes, a Hare and a Rabbitt; 2 Fish, 2 Pike, 2 Roach, 2 Salmon, 2 Haddocks, and 3 Spratts ; 25 Woods, 1 Pine, 3 Birches, and 2 Ashes; 4 Popes, 1 Primate 4 Bishops ; 4 Abbotts, 3 Deans, 2 Priests, 3 Parsons, 1 Deacon, 40 Claiks, 2 Monks and 1 Nunn, 4 Beadles, 1 Abbey, 1 Church, and we have no Chaples; but the Scottish character is maintained in our possession of 5 Kirks, and 1 Elder. We have 40 Scotts, 1 Briton, 3 English, 5 Welsh, 3 French, 1 Dutch, 10 Normans, and 2 Poles. Republicans may take a back seat m the presence of 21 Kings, 1 Prince, 4 Dukes, 1 Earl, 1 Baron, 3 Knights and 1 Squire. We have 2 Judges, 2 Justices, 1 Provost, 2 Bailies, and 7 Burgesses, 5 Sheriffs, 7 Proctors, and 1 Ussher. Celebrated names are represented by William Wallace, Robert Bruce, John Milton, John Knox, James Watt, George Stephenson, Burns, Macauley, Hume, Pope, Dryden, and Dickens, together with those mirth provokers of a past generation, James (otherwise Jim) Crow, and William (familiarly known as Billy) Barlow. Our peaceful proclivities are .proved in our possession of only 1 Major and 1 Sargent. Ten Christs are quoted from the London Directory. We have none of that name, but we have'l Angel, 3 Christians, 1 Jew and 1 Jewess. Colors are represented by 96 Browns, 33 Blacks, 32 Whites, 15 Greens, 10 Greys and I Blue. Geographical names are given in Glasgow, Canton, Essex, Kent, Coventry, Sheffield, Brixton, Melrose, etc. Unlike our Loudon contemporary, the columns of our local Directory do not contain either Dollars, Dimes, or Farthings; but we cannot be considered destitute when in possession of 3 Penuys and 1 Twopenny, and we shall never be without a Crust while the two bearers of that name remain in our midst. We have 30 Millers, 11 Bakers, 4 Carpenters, 1 Sawyer, 19 Turners, II Coopers, 19 Masons, 5 Slaters, 1 Draper, and 3 Glovers, 1 Dyer, 5 Skinners, 2 Tanners,. 5 Potters, 1 Goldsmith, 5 Drivers, 11 Carters, 8 Porters, and 1 Packer, 3 Barbers and 1 Shave, who is a barber at Caversham, where also may be seen the sign of one named Rose next door to another named Thorn. We also have 7 Butlers, 6 Pages, 21 Cooks, and 15 Gillies, 16 Hunters, 5 Ferreters, 3 Fowlers, 7 Shepherds 1 Shearer, 1 Farmer, and SGanleners; 2Forrests, 7 Parks, a Field, an Orchard, and a Garden; 2 Rivers, 14 Fords, 1 Ferry and 2 Ferriers, 2 Bridges and oue Bridgenian, 3 Lakes, 1 Loch, and 3 Burnes ; 7 Short, 9 Libtle, 2 Tall, 1 Small, 4 Stout, and 2 Broad; 1 Bright, 5 Smart, 2 Sprightly, 3 Merry, 6 Jolly, and 9 Gay; 28 Young, 5 Wise, only 1 Good, but 3 Best; also an Oldman, a Youngman, a Strongman, and more than one Wiseman, without iucluding the 9 Solomons ; 20 Hills, 7 Dales, and 5 Glens ; 7 Lanes, 1 Street, 1 Row, arid 1 Place. Of Maidens we have only 1, but there is a Batchelor to match, and 2 Valentines. We have also a Cannon and Ball, a Drumm and Fyfe, Hair and Beard, a Diamond, a Fountain, 4 Samsous, 5 Love 3, 6 Darlings, 2 Heads, 3 Knees, 1 Hand, and 1 Chinn ; 3 Fiddlers, 4 Harpers, and 2 Singers ; and to conclude, we have a B x in which to Place the names, and although we have Keys we' have no Lock, so will fasten the Govei'ikl with a Bolt, as less likely to yield to a Huiiinier and Wedge. ' John* Stone, Publisher of Stone's Directory. Cromwell, March 30th, 18S5.