Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-01-07
DerivAtlon or surnnme..

| A new writer on the subject of sur.
names has appeared in England---C -Chss.
Wareing Bardsley, NJ. A. His volume
is full of interest for those who are
curious upon the subject. containing,
besides much new matter, a classi6ca-
ton of facts with which readers are
slready familiar. Mr.. Bardsley divides
the sources OF surnames into six general
divisions. The frat includes names de-
rived by sons from fathers. For in
stance, when surnames were not fixed,
John had son whose name was Peter,
and Peter would be known as Peter
johnson. If Peter in his turn had a
son whom he called John, John was
called John Peterson. This style Of
shifting or changing surnames still sur.
wives in Northsrn countries of Europe,
and though in the British Tales the fixed
surname has long been adopted, in some
parts Of Wales the custom of changing
surnamea fingered until recent period.
The different spelling and pronunciation
OF the same name and the sfix Of terms
Of endearment, or pet terminations,
vary the derivatives to wide extent.
Besides the plain and evident origin Of
many names, as Davidson from David
we have Dawes and Dawson from the
same origin. From Isaac came Ikkies,
Hikkee, Hickson and Hicks. From
Walter comes Watts, Watson, Watkins
and others From William comes vii.
kins. and from John, Jenkins. From
Roger comes Rogers, Rodgers. Rogerson; !;
Hodgkins, Hitchins, Hoskins Hodgekin.
son aud Hodson, with others. From
Ralph comes Ralf, Rolf, Raves, Rawson,
Rswlins, Rawlinson, Rollins, Robinson,
Rawkins, Rapkins and Rapsons From
Hugh and its mis-spellings, Higgins
Hutchins, Hutchinson, Hugginson, Hull
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 proprietors took their names
from their possessions, and the Iaborers
from their neighborhood. William or
John-at-lsne, or Atwell, or At-style, or
At-lee (6eld), or Atwood, etc, meaning
William Of the lane, or field, or stile,
will be recognized as the origin Of the
Woods aud Stiles, Atwoods, Atwells,
Lees, Leghs, Atlsys, Attlees, Brooks,
and very many others.
The third class is made up Of names
derived from Office or rank, such as But
Ter, Kitchaner, Bowyer, Stringer, For
rester, Foster, Wsrriner, Warner, Parker
and Arrowsmith-the last eight coming
from the park, forest and hunting. The
Saxon "Woodreeve ia preserved in
Woodruff, Woodrow, Woodward and
Woodland.
The fourth and fifth classes come from
nRmes of occupations in town and coun-
try. Among these are Smith, with it's
changes, as Goldsmith Brownsmith,
Redsmith, etc, Tiler, Thatcher, Slater,
Carpenter, Wheelwright, Cartwright,
Shoemaker, Taylor or Tailor, Baker,
Brewer, and vasc number more.
The sixth class is made up of sur
names, derived from nick-nsmes or dssg-
nations given to identity the person BY
some peculiarity. The Saxon Kings have
among them Edmund Ironside and Ethel
red the Unresdy, and gueng the people
epithets were applied which are now
worn without any thought Of their erigin.
1t is proper to remark that Mr.. Bardsley
has not given hese.statements without
examipation Of old documents and pub
lieations Thp history Of the surname
is traced up to It's origin, and the results
are the fruit Of much labor and rseearch.
Such industry in a special direction has
great historic value as throwing light
upon the popular history and customs
Of our ANCESTORS. II is curious to think
that in Che far past the village Wit who
nick.named neighbor, or the matter Of
fact man who described another by some
plain circumstance Of no particular
value, was, in so doing, giving birth to
many name which should "6ll the
sounding truMpet Of future fame"