_Arkwright_ (Vol. v., p. 320.).--This surname would originally denote
the fabricator of such _arks_, or large chests made of strong oaken
planks, as are still to be found under that name in most old farmhouses,
at least in this neighbourhood, where they are chiefly used for storing
meal or flour. The fact of our translators of the Bible having called
the sacred chest in the Holy of Holies by this term seems to point to a
more general use of the word in their days than at present obtains. Mr.
Hunter (_Hallamsh. Gloss._, p. 5.) says that the strong boxes in which
the Jews kept their valuables were anciently called their arks
(_archas_), and that the word is so found in the _Foedera_, 45 Hen. III.
It occurs twice in the Church Accounts of this parish.
"1527. Minatus [=e]. [=p]d. Will[=m]us browne _archas_ et cistas
diffr[=i]gere.