The National tribune., 1897-10-28

Originally no person had mors shan one
name. There were no family names. This
is true not only of the Hebrews, but of the
Egyptians, Persians, Syrians, Grecians, and
the Germanic nations Each name had a
particular meaning and either expressed
some distinct quality of mind or person, or
the occupation or Office of the bearer.
Thus Jacob, who got the brthright away
from Esau, was the supplanter; Abraham
was the father of multitude; Adam, the
earth man; Absalom, the father of peace
Azirial,, helped of the Lord Gabriel, a man
of Cod Jonathan, gift of Jehovah ;
Matthias, gift of the Lord; Moses, drawn out
Samuel, heard of God Solomon, peaceable
Stephen, crown; Zaccheus, innocent and
Zacharias, rememberer of the Lord.
Among the Romans it was the same, and
so we have Caesar, Dlue-eyed ) Augustus,
imperial; Festus joyful Felix, prosperous,
and so on.
Among the Germans We have Archibald,
one extremely bold Arnold, strong as an
eagle; Bernard, bold rs bear; Charles,
strong; Conrad. bold in counsel; Ferdinand,
valiant; Gerald, strong with the spear; God
dard, pous and Gregory watchful.
The Greeks named their children on the
10th day, and the name generally expressed
some admirable quality of mind, as Phere
crates, strength-bringer Andronicus, con-
queror of men; Archelaus, ruler of the peO-
pie; Christopher, bearing Christ; Erasmus,
worthy to be loved Homer, n pledge; 1gna-
thus, fiery: Jason, a healer; Philander, a
lover of men Polycarp, much fruit, and
Theopholus a lover of God.
Some of the Roman names were derived
from employments as Porcius, a swins-herd !;
Nasal, long-nosed. Many Celtic and Teu-
tonic names were derived from God, as GOtt-
fried, Goodwin, and Gottlieb. Others were
from spirits or elves, as Efric the elfking.
The Romans divided their Commonwealth
into clans or gems and the clans into fami-
lies, being known az the Lentuli, Sullae,
Scipones, Dollabellae. Ciuuae, etc. Each
citizen bore three names; first name,
name of the clan and name OF the family; as,
for instance. Publius Cornelius Scipio. Some
times tho Roman had a fourth name added
after he had won some great victory hence
Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, con-
queror of Africa, and his brother, who was o
conqueror in Asia, Tullius Cornelius Scipio
Asiaticus.
There were few surnames in England before
the Norman invasion. When the SaXcns be-
Ctiic SuIiot'1uo thCy eOonN o'Pt'"iit'' 's'i'S'1
and sometimes whole companies TO save
trouble, we're baptized with The SAME name
1t was not until the middle OF the 12!h
century that the bearing of surnames be-
came common in England, even among per-
sons of rank, and as late as the beginning Of
the 18th century many English families, es-
pecially in Yorkshire, had no surnames. 1t
is said that in the mining districts Of STAFF
fordshirs there are still persons who have no
family names. but are known by some per-
sonal soubriquet.
Almost every nation has had names
formed by adding the name "son to that
of the father. Thus, among the Greeks
Priamides meant son Of Priam; Herac.
lides, son OF Hercules. Among the He
brews Ben, or son, was added to the fathers
name. Thus, we have Benjamin, son of the
right hand, and Bononi, son of grief or
trouble Among the Saxons the adding Of
sing" to name denoted descent; as Edgar
ing, Browning, Dering, Fielding, and Whit
ing
In Wales the name was preceded by cap"
and SO we have David apHowell; or, when