Origin of the name YOU Back

Origin

BRICK : A corruption of Breck (which see). We cut the following, on this name, from a newspaper: A certain college-professor, who had assembled his class at the commencement of the term, was reading over the list of names to see that all were present. It chanced that one of the number was unknown to the professor, having just entered the class. What is your name, sir? asked the professor, looking through his spectacles. You are a brick, was the startling reply. Sir, said the professor, half starting out of his chair at the supposed impertinence, but not quite sure that he understood him correctly, sir, I did not exactly understand your answer. You are a brick, was again the composed reply. This is intolerable, said the professor, his face reddening; beware, young man, how you attempt to insult me. Insult you ! said the student, in turn astonished. How have I done it? Did you not say I was a brick? returned the professor, with stifled indignation. No, sir; you asked me my name, and I answered your question. My name is U. R. A. Brick Uriah Reynolds Anderson Brick. Ah, indeed, murmured the professor, sinking back into his seat in confusion it was a misconception on my part. Will you commence the lesson, Mr. Brick ?

GUNN : (Br.) Local. From Gun, a plain, a down or common; Welsh, gwaen. A person whose name was Gunn complained to a friend that his attorney, in his bill, had not let him off easily. 'That's no wonder,' said his friend, 'as he charged you too high !' But this is not so good as an entry in the custom-house books of Edinburgh, where it appears that 'A,' meaning Alexander 'A. Gunn was discharged for making a false report !' Lower.

GOON : (Br.) Local. From Gun, a plain, a down or common; Welsh, gwaen. A person whose name was Gunn complained to a friend that his attorney, in his bill, had not let him off easily. 'That's no wonder,' said his friend, 'as he charged you too high !' But this is not so good as an entry in the custom-house books of Edinburgh, where it appears that 'A,' meaning Alexander 'A. Gunn was discharged for making a false report !' Lower.

NAPIER : It is said that Donald, a son of the Earl of Lennox, for his bravery in battle, had his name changed by the king to Napier. After the battle, as the maimer is, every one advancing and setting forth his own acts, the king said unto them, Ye have all done valiantly, but there is one among you who hath 'Na Pier,' and the king gave him lands in Fife and Goffurd. The name came, however, from taking charge of the king's napery or linen at the coronation of English kings, an office held by William De Hastings, in the time of Henry I.

NEQUAM : (Latin.) Dishonest, lazy. Alexander Nequam, of St Albans, wishing to devote himself to a monastic life, in the abbey of his native town, applied to the ruler of that establishment for admission. The abbot's reply was thus laconically expressed: Si bonus sis, venias, si Nequam, nequaquam. If good; you may come; if wicked, by no means. It is said he changed his name to Neckham, and was admitted into the fraternity.

Origin of name provided by Jean Tosti

More

Map

Geographic distribution of the 45956 individuals with the name YOU on Geneanet.

This last name in the family trees

See below the Geneanet members' family trees which contain the last name YOU