(Vol. v., pp. 290. 326.)
Variations of surnames occur much later than the close of the fourteenth
century, the period cited by your correspondent COWGILL. I have seen a
document of the date of Charles I., which names one Agnes Wilson,
otherwise Randalson, widow of John, son of Randal Wilson; thus showing
that the patronymic was liable to vary in every generation, even in the
seventeenth century.
This is still the practice in the hill country of Lancashire, bordering
upon Yorkshire, where people are seldom known by a family name. The
individual is distinguished by the addition of the father's or mother's
Christian name, and sometimes by the further addition of those of
forefathers for a generation or two, as in the designation of Welshmen
in times past. The abode sometimes varies the style.
As an example, I may mention that a few years ago I sought an
heir-at-law in a town on the borders. I was referred to a man called
"Dick o' Jenny's;" he being the son of a second marriage, the mother's
name was used to distinguish him rather than his father's. Pursuing the
inquiry I found the first wife had been a "sister of ould Tommy at top
of th' huttock;" her daughter had married "John o' Bobby," and "John o'
Bobby's lad" was the man I wanted. When I had made him out, it was with
some difficulty that I ascertained (though amongst his kindred) that he
bore the family name of "Shepherd."