Birmingham.
_Meaning of "Worth"_ (Vol. v., p. 509.).--As this suffix enters into the
composition of many of our English surnames, particularly in the northern
counties, MR. LOWER (and probably your readers in general) will be glad to
have the explanation of an able Anglo-Saxon scholar and antiquary, the late
lamented Mr. John Just of this town, whose merits as a philosopher and
etymologist were highly appreciated by the learned societies in this
district. It occurs in a paper read at a chapter of the Rosicrucians in
Manchester a few months since:
"WORTH.--_Weorthe_, Anglo-Saxon, a field, &c. _Worth_ means land,
close, or farm. It does not necessarily imply any residence, although
thereon might be a hall or mansion. It likewise sometimes means nothing
more than road or public way. Hence it is connected with the names of
many places on our old roads, as Ainsworth, Edgeworth, on the Roman
military road to the north; Failsworth, Saddleworth, on the Roman
military road from Manchester to York; Unsworth, Pilsworth, on the old
road between Bury and Manchester; also Ashworth, Whitworth,
Butterworth, on old roads, and connected with old places, near
Rochdale. Whether originally land, closes, or farms, _worths_ were
acquired properties. The old expression of 'What is he worth?' in those
days meant, 'Has he land? Possesses he real property?' If he had
secured a _worth_ to himself, he was called a _worthy_ person, and in
consequence had _worship_, _i. e._ due respect shown him. A _worth_ was
the reward of the free; and perchance the fundamentals of English
freedom were primarily connected with such apparently trivial matters,
and produced such a race of _worthies_ as the proud Greeks and haughty
Romans might not be ashamed of. _Worth_ is pure Anglo-Saxon. The
Scandinavians applied it not in their intercourse with our island."