NAME ORIGINS

Evening Star, Issue 22720, 6 August 1937, Page 11

NAME ORIGINS

GUBIOUS SURVIVALS A correspondent in an English paper wrote that at a certain camp in India the only British officers in command were Captain Adam and Captain Eve 1 The rector of a West Country church at one time was the Rev. Mr Merryweather, and his curate’s name was Rainy; at another church the curate bore the appropriate name of Crucifix; these and many such coincidences add interest to the fascinating subject of surnames and their origin. Although such names as Catsnose, Hellicat, Blackinthemoutb, or Halfenaked, which are to bo found in mamold records, find no place in modern directories, the landlord of an inn near Cambridge not many years ago rejoiced in the name of Gotobed. Obviously, surnames originated in an attempt to distinguish between neighbours or relations bearing the same first name, but at first they were merely individual nicknames, which were not handed on to descendants, and were often descriptive of some physical attribute or characteristic.

Modern names which were originally nicknames include Fairfax, from fair and the Anglo-Saxon feax—hair. The imposing'name of Courtney or Courtenay is of French origin, and is derived, according" to an old French epic, from “ courtnez,” short nose. This was an honourable nickname bestowed on Guillaume d’Orange, who, when bereft of this important organ by a Saracen foe, announced undauntedly: “ Though I have my nose a little shortened, I know well that my name will be thereby lengthened.” Oliphant was a popular word for elephant. and was doubtless conferred on some brawny Briton in recognition of physical prowess. A very large proportion of our names are descriptive of trades and professions. The “ Jackmans ” are descended from the medieval foot soldiers, who wore a “ jack ” or habergeon. Chaplin comes from “caplin,” part or a knight’s armour.

A spencer was a distributor of provisions (a ladder is still called a “ spence ” in Scotland and the north), and Aumonicr is derived from tho almoner’s vocation. Those who bear the name of Coward should remember that it casts no reflection on the characters of their ancestors, but denotes that they followed tho. rural profession of cowherd. Mercer originated in an old French word meaning pedlar, and Chandlers were at first concerned only in the making and selling of candles. Tho well-known name of Cbaloner was used to distinguish a dealer in cbalons, a material made at Ohalon-sur-Marnc, while metal clips, or “ points,” used in the Middle Ages to hold doublet and hose together, were made by craftsmen who gradually assumed the name of Poynter. Names of heroes, real and mythical, were frequently adopted by people of a romantic frame of mind. The Welsh Cradock commemorates Caradoe (Caractacus), while Isolt and Guencvero have produced Isard, Izzard, Genever, Jennifer, and Gayor. The Paladin Rowland _ or Roweland survives in Rowe, Roliit, Rolls, and Rowlinson. Bearers of tho name Oates may look far past the infamous Titus, back to Odo, a Norman hero. Even the unromantio Siggins is derived from Seguin, the name of several ancient heroes. Pankhurst and Middlemas are two of the few remaining “ season ” names, being forms of Pentecost and Michaelmas respectively.

Palmer is the modern form of Pannier, used to describe a pilgrim to the Holy Land, though, it may bo the name of ancient tennis stars, as tennis, played with the palm of the hand, is of great antiquity, and was called by the French “ le jeu de puame.” It is interesting to know that the exPrimo Minister’s Old English name was “ Bealdwiuo,” meaning Bold Friend! Just as the players at Oberammergau are known among their neighbours by the names of the characters they portray, so the actors in the old miracle and morality plays gradually assumed their “ stage ” names. In this way such names as King. Prince, Duke, Earl, mid Abbot, or Pestle (from apostle). Fryer (friar) and Ankrctb (anchorite) originated. A'so names which at first might appear t o be descriptive of personal characteristics, liko Good. Mercy, Blythe, and Perfect, Wise and Patience, Poyner or Poynor may be traced back to the character known as “ P.ainer,” or “ Tormentor,” whoso duty it was to keep the hell fires burning and provide the sounds of souls in torment off stage.