Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-05-25
Origin of Family Names.

The Use ot suTnames among modern na- tons hrst commenced in France about the year 1000. They were introduced into England about a century later. Their use was, however, ill both countries confined almost exclusively to the nobility, and they were usually derived from the names ot their estates. It was not until some centu- rles later that their use became general among all classes.
 The derivation of the vast majority of names is easily traced. In the earlier times, when but one name was given, 1t was GUS tomary to add some distinctive appellation, derived from the trade or occupation, the residence, or some personal peculiarity of the individual, to distinguish him from others of the names Most names, there fore, may be easily classified and their de- rivation readily traced
 Names ending in ''son'' originated in this way:-John has a son, Thomas, who IS called Thomas, the son of John or Johns son-hcnce Johnson. In the same way we have Richardson, Jameson, Jamerson, Ro- binSon, (fIom Robert, Stetson, (from Ste phen, Thomson, Williamson, and Wilson. Surnames which themselves are proper names, such as Rogers, Williams, Thomas, or James, ot course need no explanations The prehXes, Fitz, Mac, and OF, all mean son. There are certain otber names derived from christian names whose origin is not quite so apparent. The names Jones, Jenks, Jenkins, and Jennings, are all from John. Higgins and Higginson are from Hugh. Hobbs and Hopkins are from Ro- bert. Dennis is an unfortunate name for strong Maine law man, for it is derived from Dionysius, that old wine bibbng god of the Greeks. Perkins and Parkins are diminutives of Peter, as is also Wilkins ol William Gibbs, Gibson and Gibbons are from Gilbert. Madison is from Mat thew
 The second class is composed of names derived from trades and occupations This includes all such names as Carpenter, Ma son, Parsons, Taylor, Draper, Miller and Baker The constant wars of the middle ages, and the incessant demand for arms and armor, gave employment to vast number ot workers in iron and steel, and in this fact we find the reason why the name of Smith is so extremely common among us. The name of Walker is also of this class, for 1t signifies fuller.
 Ihe third class Is composed of names de- rived from natural objects or from places. J ohn of the Woods, for instance, easily be- came John Woods, and by similar pro- cess we obtain Fields, Brooks, Gates, Stone and others of similar character; Hastings, Holland, Scott, Fleming, and almost all names ending in ford or bridge, are deriv- ed from the names of towns, countries. or localities The first Montague was called Roger de monte scuto, or Roger of the sharp mountain, from the place where his castle was built. The Boston name. Re- were, Is identified with the French Riviere meaning river.
 There is another class, composed of such names as King, Swan, Lyon, Lamb and Griffin, or Gitfin, which were first given from the devices upon shop or inn signs. or upon the shields of knights. Also. all names illustrative of some bodily peculia- rity, such as Brown, White, Black. Strono etc., were given as in the case of arti6cers to distinguish different individuals of inc same christian name-for instance Brown John, Black John, Strong John, etc.
 The arch traitor of the revolution was most unfortunately named, for Benedict is from the Latin, and signifies blessed-while Arnold IS Saxon, meaning faithful to his honor. On the other hand, Robert Morris. the colored Boston lawyer, has most ap- propriate name, for Morris is from the Greek, signitying dark Lee is Saxon. untitled land; Russellis from the French. and means reddish; Burt, bright; Perry. a town, and Eaton, water town, are Saxon: Herald, and Holden are also Saxon. sipni-