The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1874-06-20

DrRrAnoN 81 rStRxAnBs = NEW
writer on the subject Of shrnanes has
appeared in England Charles Ware.
ing Bardsley, M. A. His volume is full
Of interest for those who are curious
upon the subject, containing, besides
much new matter, q classification of
| fact with which readers are already ~
miliar. Mr., Bardsley divides the sonr-
ces Of Surnames into six general divls-
| ions.i the first includos names de-
rived by sons from fathers. For in-
stance, when surnames were not fixed,
John had q son whose name was Peter,
and Peter would be known as Peter
johnson. a il Peterin his turn had p
son whom he called John, John was
called John Peterson. This style Of
shifting or changing surnames still sur
wives in Northern Counties Of Europe,
and though in the British Isles the fix
ed surname has long been adopted, in
some parts of Wales the custom of
changing sunames fingered until re-
cent period The different spelling and
pronunciation Of the same name and
the affix Of terms of endcarment, or
"pet" examinations, vary the derivatives
to large extent. Beside the plain and
evident origin of many names, AS Da-
wilson from David, we have Dawes and
Dawson from the same origin. From
Isaac came Ikkies, Hikkee, dickson
and Hicks. From Walter came Watts.
Watson, Watkins and others. From
William comes Wilkins, and from John,
Jenkins. From Roger come Rogers,
Rodgers, Rogerson; and from Hodge,
the nickname of Roger. Hodgkins,
Hitchins, Hoskins, Hodginson and Hold
son. with others. From Ralph comes
Ralf. Rolf, Reeves, Rawson, Rawlins,
Rawlinson, Rollins, Robinson, Raw
kins, Rapkins and Rapsons. From
Hugh and lis mis-spellings, Huggins,
Hutchings. Hutchinson. Hugginson,
Hulle,, Hewlett, lluei, liewet, lIeweison,
Hewitt, Howson, Hughes aud IIewson
The WEIGH name Pugh is from Hugh
The second class is comprised OF
names derived from names Of places
The landed proprietors took names
from their possessions, aud the labor
crs from their neigLborlood. William
or John At lane, or A,-wcll, or At-siylc
or A,-lce (ficld). or Atwood, &c, &c,
meaning William of the lane or field,
or stilc. will he recognized as the orr
gin of the woods and stiles, Atwoods,
Atwells. Lees, Lcghs, Ailays. Atlees,
Brooks. and very many others.
The third class is made up names de-
rived from Office or rank. such as But
Ter ki,chincr. Rowyer, Siringer, For
roster, Foster, Warriner, Warner, Park
or and Arrowsmi,li--ihc last eight
coming from thc park. forest and hunt
Ing. The Saxon "Woodrecvc" is pre-
served in Woodruff. Woodrow, Wood
ward and Woodland.
The fourth and fifth classes come
from names of occupations in town and
country. Among these are Smith,
with its changes, as, Goldsmith Brown.
smith. Redsmiih. &c: Tier. Thatcher,
Slater. Carpenter. Whcclwrigbt. Cart
wright. Shoemaker, Taylor or Tailor, |
Baker, Brewer. and vast number
more.
The sixth class is made mp of sur
names. derived from nick.names or dcs-
ignaiions given to identify the person
by some popularity. The Saxon kings
have among them Edmund lronsidc
and Ethclred the Unready, and among
Inc people cpithcts were applied which
are now worn without any thought of
their origin. 1t is proper to remark
hat Mr. Bardsley has not given these
without examination of old
documents and publications. The his
ory of the surname is traced up to it's
origin, and the results arc the fruit Of
much labor and research. Such indus.
ry in a special direction has great
historic value as throwing light upon
he popular history and customs of our
ancestors. It is curious to think that
II the far past the village wit who nick.
lan'ed neighbor, or the matter-of-fact
nan who described another by some
lain circumstance Of no particular val.
'e, was, in SO doing, giving birth to
many name which should "fll the