The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-05-21
Derivation "G Smrnarmes.

A new writer on the subject Of surnames
has appeared in England--Charles Ware
ing Bardslev, NJ A. His volume is full
of interest for those who are curious
upon thesubject, containing, besides much
nev matter, It classification of facts with
which readers are already familiar. Mr..
Bardsley divides the sources of surnames
into SIX general divisions. The first IN
ctudes names derived by sons from fathers,
For instance, when surnames were rot
fixed, john had Il son whose name was
Peter. and Peter would be known as Pc
ter Johnston. It Peter in his turn had
a son whom he called John, John was
called John Peterson This style of shift
ING or changing surnames still survives in
Northern countries OF Europe, and though
i'm the British Isles the fixed surname has
long adopted in some parts of Wales
tine custom of changing surnames lin
rered until Il recent period. The differ
emit spelling and pronunciation of the
same name and the atix of terms of en-
dearment, or pet examinations, vary
the derivatives to "a wide extent
Besides the plan and evident origin
of many names, rs Davidson from David,
we have Dawes ana Dawson from the
same origin From Isaac came Ikkies
Hikkee. IIickson and Hicks. From
Waiter comes Wotts, Watson, Watkins
and others. From William comes Will
kins. ana from John, jenkins. From
Roger comes Rogers, Rodgers, Rogerson;
GER, and from Hodge, the nickname OF Ro-
Hodgkins, Hitchins Hoskins, Hodgekin-
SON and uodson, with others. From Ralph
comes Ralf, Rolf, Raves, Rawson, Raw
Inns. Rawliuson, Rollins, Robinson, Raw
l1ins, Rapkins and Rapsons. From
Hugh and It's mis-spellings, Higgins,
Hutchins. Hutchinson, Hugginson, HUI
lit. Hewlett, Huet, Hewet, Hewetson,
Hewitt, Howson, Hughes and Hewson.
The Welsh name Pugh Is from Hugh
The second class is comprised of names
derived from names of places. The
landed propretors took names from their
possessions, and the laborers from their
neiehborhood William or John At-lane,
or At-well, or At-style, or At-lee (field),
or Atwood, &c, &a., meaning William
Of The lane. or field, or stile, will be rec
ernized as the origin of the Woods and
stiles, Atwoods, Atwells, Lees, Leghs,
Atlavs. Attlees, Brooks, and very many
others
The third class is made UP names de-
rived from Office or rank, such as Butler,
Kitchaner, Bower, Stringer Forester,
Foster, Warrriner Warner, Parker and
Arrowsmith-th last eight coming from
the park. forest and hunting. The
Saxon ''Woodreere' is preserved IN
Woodruff, Woodrow, Woodward and
Woodland.
The fourth and fifth classes come from
names of occupations in town and coun-
try. Among these are Smith, with Its
chances. as Goldsmith, Brownsmlth,
Redsmith. &c; Tiler, Thatcher, Slater,
Carpenter, Wheelwright, Cartwright
Shoemaker, Taylor or Tailor, Baker,
Brewer. and A vast number more.
The sixth class is made up of surnames,
derived from nick-names or designations
giyen to identity the person by some
nAcniiaritv. The Saxon kings have
among them Edmund Ironside and
E5heIred the Unready, and among the
people epithets we're applied which are
now worn without any thought OF then
origin. 1t is proper TO remark that Mr.
Bardsley has not given these statements
without examination of old documents
aud publications. The history of the
surname is traced up to its origin, anc
the results are the fruit of much Labor
and research. Such industry in specla
direction has a great historic value al
throwing light upon the popular history
and customs of our ancestors. 1t Is GU
rious to think that in the far past thu
village wit who niek-named nelghbor
ar the matter-of fact man who described
another by some plain circumstance
no particular value, was, IN so dong
giving birth to many name wnlci
should ''tiil the sounding trumpet OF III
ture fame.