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SURNAMES AS A SCIENCE
BY
ROBERT FERGUSON, M.P.,
F.S.A., F.S.A. (SCOT.);
AUTHOR OF "THE TEUTONIC NAME-SYSTEM."
LONDON:
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS,
BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL,
NEW YORK: 9, LAFAYETTE PLACE.
1883.
LONDON:
R. CLAY, SONS, AND TAYLOR,
BREAD STREET HILL.
TO
MRS. R.H. DANA (_nee_ LONGFELLOW),
OF BOSTON, MASS.,
IN MEMORY OF EARLY AND VALUED FRIENDSHIP, AND OF DAYS
NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN, PASSED AT CRAGIE HOUSE,
THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS INSCRIBED
BY THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE.
That portion of our surnames which dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, and
so forms a part of the general system by which Teutonic names are
governed, is distinctly a branch of a science, and as such has been
treated by the Germans, upon whose lines I have generally endeavoured to
follow.
It has been a part of my object to show that this portion of our
surnames is a very much larger one than has been generally supposed, and
that it includes a very great number of names which have hitherto been
otherwise accounted for, as well as of course a great number for which
no explanation has been forthcoming.
Nevertheless, while claiming for my subject the dignity of a science, I
am very well aware that the question as to how far I have myself
succeeded in treating it scientifically is an entirely different one,
and one upon which it will be for others than myself to pronounce an
opinion.
This work is of the nature of a supplement to one which I published some
time ago under the title of _The Teutonic Name-system applied to the
Family-names of France, England, and Germany_ (Williams and Norgate),
though I have been obliged, in order to render my system intelligible,
to a certain extent to go over the same ground again.
I will only say, in conclusion, that in dealing with this subject--one
in which all persons may be taken to be more or less interested--I have
endeavoured as much as possible to avoid technicalities and to write so
as to be intelligible to the ordinary reader.
ROBERT FERGUSON.
MORTON, CARLISLE.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
THE ANTIQUITY AND THE UNSUSPECTED DIGNITY OF SOME OF OUR COMMON NAMES 1