Between 1332 and 1348 the name borne by the famous knight, Sir Rob. de
Salle, commemorated by Froissart, and who was killed by the insurgents
near Norwich in 1381, is severally written, de la Sale, de Salle, de
Aula, de la S'aule, de Halle, Saul, and Halle.
In temps. Ed. II. and III. is the following name thus modified: Fitz
Benedict, Benediscite, Bendiste, Bendish, Bennett.
The twenty-ninth bishop of Norwich (1446-1472) is styled Walter Lyhart,
Le Hert, and Hart.
In 1337 we have "Jas. de Briseworth als. de Bliclingg;" and in 1368,
"Johes. de Welburn (Frat. Thome de Welburn nuper defti), als. de
Cobeslound de Welburne, Taverner."
Then, again, it were easy to produce innumerable examples of
professional and business descriptions, which have originated many
modern surnames, as Joh. le Lytester (Lister, Dyer), Regin, le Paumer
(Palmer), Bateman le Espicer, (Spicer), &c.
But this Note has already somewhat unduly encroached upon your pages;
and it is now brought to a conclusion with the single observation, that
many of the causes of various readings and differences of form in the
same original surname, as well as of a total change from one designation
to another, are now in full force and daily practical operation in many
isolated parts of the country, where, from the predominance of identical
family and baptismal appellations, some method, such as is illustrated
in the foregoing examples, must obviously be adopted, in order to
distinguish one individual from another. In many of the remote valleys,
indeed, of the North of England, a more comprehensive reply might be
given than that which the unsuccessful gaberlunyie woman, mentioned by
Sir W. Scott, received in a certain Scottish dale, when, in the
bitterness of her disappointment, she exclaimed, "Are there no
Christians here?" and was answered, "Christians! nae; we be a' Elliots
and Armstrongs!" So--but certainly not under like circumstances--it
might be replied, "We're a' Meccas (Ang. Metcalfes)!"