Origin
Richard : English French West Indian (mainly Haiti) German and Dutch: from a personal name composed of the ancient Germanic elements rīc ‘power(ful)’ + hard ‘hardy brave strong’. The Middle English forms were Richard and Rikard respectively Parisian Old French and Old Picard pronunciations of the ancient Germanic name. Middle English Rikard gives rise to the pet form Rick whilst Richard has given the pet forms Richie and Rich. Both produced rhyming pet forms Dick and Hick for Rikard and Hitch for Richard.
Ablard : probably a post-medieval variant of Ablett (1). Compare William Ablard 1703 Richd. Ablet 1749 in IGI (Boston Lincs); Edwd Ablard 1745 Anne Ablett 1749 in IGI (North Thoresby Lincs); and Richard Ablet Frances Ablerd 1788 in IGI (Scrivelsby Lincs).
Askham : from Askham Bryan and Askham Richard (WR Yorks) which are recorded as Ascam in 1086 and Askham in the 12th century and perhaps also from Askham (Notts) which is recorded as Ascam in 1086 Ascham in 1167 and Askham in 1329. The place-names derive from Old English æsc ‘ash-tree’ + hām ‘homestead village’ with the first element replaced or influenced by Old Scandinavian askr ‘ash-tree’.perhaps occasionally from Askham (Westm) which is recorded as Ascum Askum Askom in the 13th century. The place-name derives from Old Scandinavian askum ‘at the ash-trees’ (the dative plural form of askr).
Aungiers : from Angers in Maine-et-Loire France. This name is also found in medieval England without the final -s; see Ainger and Danger for early bearers especially in Wilts and perhaps in N England.variant of Ainger with post-medieval excrescent -s. Compare William Anger 1805 in IGI (Haddenham Cambs) and Richard Anger 1815 in IGI (Graveley Cambs) with the 1792 and 1733 bearers below.
Ayer : 1: English and Scottish: from Middle English eir eyr ‘heir’ (Anglo-Norman French heyr Old French (h)eir Latin heres). Forms such as Richard le Heyer were frequent in Middle English denoting a man who was well known to be the heir to the main property in a particular locality either one who had already inherited or one with great expectations.2: English: from the Anglo-Norman French and Middle English personal name Aier (ancient Germanic Agihari).3: English: variant of Hair.
Ayliffe : 1: from one of three Middle English personal names of Scandinavian origin Ailef Ailif and Ailof. Old Danish Old Swedish Elif (Old Scandinavian Eilifr apparently composed of the elements ei ‘ever lifðr ’alive lively') and Elef (Old Scandinavian Eileifr with *leifr ‘remainder’) gave rise to Ayliff(e) Aliffe and Eliff. Old Danish Old Swedish Elaf gave rise to Ayloff but the names were probably confused with each other. 2: from a Middle English female personal name Aileve Old English Æðelgifu which appears in Domesday Book as Æileua Eileua Aileua and Eleua. For -iff from -gifu compare Brightiff here perhaps influenced also by Ailiff. Ayloffe can only be included here by assuming influence from the Scandinavian name. Compare Richard Aylyaue 1332 in Subsidy Rolls (Warwicks).
Bard : 1: English (of Norman origin) and French: from the Old French personal name Bard(e) ancient Germanic Bardo from barta ‘battle axe’. This was borne as a surname by a prominent Norman family with lands in west Normandy and in various English and Scottish counties including Essex Hertfordshire North Yorkshire Northumberland and Lanarkshire. In Scotland the original family were Norman landowners in Strathaven parish in Lanarkshire. They were descended from the Baards lords of Loftus in the North Yorkshire descendants of the mid 12th-century Richard Baart.2: Irish: altered form of either Beard or Baird.3: Scottish: from Gaelic bàrd ‘poet minstrel’. See Baird.4: French: nickname from Old French baard ‘sedan chair; stretcher’ probably denoting the owner of such a device.5: French: from Old French bart (from Late Latin barrum) ‘mud clay (used as a mortar)’ probably applied as a metonymic occupational name for a bricklayer.6: French: habitational name from any of several minor places called Bard from the Gaulish element barro ‘height hill’.7: Hungarian (Bárd): metonymic occupational name for a butcher woodcutter or carpenter from bárd ‘hatchet cleaver’.8: Jewish (Ashkenazic): nickname for someone with a luxurious beard from a blend of German Bart and Yiddish bord both meaning ‘beard’.9: Probably also an altered form of German Bart.
Blake : 1: English and Scottish (England and central Scotland): variant of Black 1 meaning ‘swarthy’ or ‘dark-haired’ from a byform of the Old English adjective blæc blac ‘black’ with change of vowel length.2: English: nickname from Middle English blak(e) (Old English blāc) ‘wan pale white fair’. In Middle English the two words blac and blāc with opposite meanings fell together as Middle English blake. In the absence of independent evidence as to whether the person referred to was dark or fair it is now impossible to tell which sense was originally meant.3: English (Norfolk): nickname from Middle English bleik blaik> blek(e) (Old Norse bleikr) ‘pale or sallow’ (in complexion).4: Irish: Anglicized form of Ó Bláthmhaic ‘descendant of Bláthmhac’ a personal name from bláth ‘flower blossom’ (also meaning ‘fame or prosperity’) + mac ‘son’. In some instances however the Irish name is derived from Old English blæc ‘dark swarthy’ as in 1 above. Many bearers are descended from Richard Caddell nicknamed le blac sheriff of Connacht in the early 14th century. The English surname has been Gaelicized as de Bláca.
Bogg : 1: perhaps as Redmonds suggests a reduced form of Boggis with loss of final -s. Compare John Bogays 1301 in Subsidy Rolls (Skelton NR Yorks) and Richard Bogas 1366 in York Freemen's Register. The change may have been influenced by early Modern English bog ‘blustering proud saucy’ which may be a reduction of Middle English bogeys. 2: for someone who lived ‘(by the) bog’ Middle English bog.
Botwood : from Leebotwood (Shrops); see Richard de Lye Bottewode 1370 in Patent Rolls. The first element of the place-name is as in Botfield; the second is Old English wudu ‘wood’.
Brabury : 1: variant of Bradbury. Compare Richard Bradbury 1615 William Bradbury 1733 in IGI (Uttoxeter Staffs) with the 1734 bearer and Edmund Bradbury 1675 James Bradbury 1758 in IGI (Ashton under Lyne Lancs) with the 1757 bearer. 2: in SW England perhaps a variant of Bradbeer. See also Bradbury (2).
Breakspear : from Middle English breken ‘to break’ + spere ‘spear’ probably used for a successful contender in tournament or battle. Compare Stephen Bruselaunce 1308 in Ramsey Abbey Court Rolls (Suffolk); Martin Briselaunce 1312 in London Letter Books D; Richard Brekeswerd (‘break sword’) 1195 in Pipe Rolls (Lincs).
Burlow : apparently an altered form of Burley. Compare Edward Burley 1733 Richard Burlow 1772 in IGI (Tickhill WR Yorks); James Burley 1756 James Burlow 1768 in IGI (Dymock Gloucs); Mary Burley 1763 Richd. Burlow 1792 in IGI (Sutton cum Lound Notts).
Buskin : 1: from Buskin in Devon or topographic for someone who lived ‘(by the) bushes’ from the dative plural *busken of Middle English *busk ‘bush’ (borrowed from Old Scandinavian buskr). Some examples may belong under (2). 2: from Middle English bukke-skin skin of a buck used particularly of buckskin breeches used to denote a maker of breeches or for a worker in buckskin or leather. Richard de Gravele called Bokskyn was an apprentice of Walter Polyt fuyster (‘saddletree maker’; see Fewster">Fewster) 1311 in London Letter Books D.
Campin : variant of Campion along with Campen. Compare Margaret Campion 1547 Willia. Campin 1604 in IGI (Anstey Herts); Richard Campin 1791 John Campion 1827 in IGI (Harrold Beds).
Camping : variant of Campion. Compare Mary Campion 1684 Robert Camping 1687 in IGI (Dartmouth Devon); John Campion 1729 Richard Camping 1782 in IGI (Lawshall Suffolk); Ann Campion 1757 Will Camping 1760 in IGI (Donington in Holland Lincs); Catharine Camping 1766 John Campion 1770 in IGI (Stamford Lincs).
Campkin : re-modelled form of Campin variant of Campion in imitation of names ending with the hypocoristic suffix -kin. The same change has occurred in the word pumpkin which is an altered form of pumpin a variant of pompion (OED). For the variation in the surname compare Nicolas Campion 1572 Willm. Campkin 1671 in IGI (Ware Herts); Richard Campion 1589 Samuel Campkin 1676 in IGI (Bassingbourn Cambs); George Campion 1605 Frances Campin 1606 Edward Campkin 1705 in IGI (Watton at Stone Herts); Anne Camkin 1674 Grace Campion 1696 in IGI (Potton Beds); James Campin 1695 Robert Campion 1732 Isaac Campkin 1807 in IGI (Orpington Kent).
Campleman : according to Redmonds Dictionary of Yorks Surnames an altered form of Cappleman perhaps influenced by Camplin and its variant Camplejohn. Compare John Campline 1628 Richard Cappleman 1721 in IGI (Lythe NR Yorks); Robert Cappleman William Campleman 1672 in Hearth Tax (Newbegin ward Hull).
Charnock : 1: English (Lancashire and Yorkshire): habitational name from Charnock Richard or Heath Charnock in southern Lancashire which are probably named with a derivative of Celtic carn ‘cairn pile of stones’ (see Cairns).2: Americanized form of Slovak Černok a variant of Černík (see Cernik).
Clibbon : variant of Clibborn with loss of -r-; see Cliburn. Compare Richard Clibborne 1671 Martha Clibborn 1741 Eliz. Clibbon 1762 in IGI (Ware Herts).
Clinker : for a nail clincher or riveter from an agent derivative of Middle English clenchen (see Clink (2)). In 1323 Richard Spark clenchar' was paid 4½d per day for clinching and riveting great nails. Compare also clencher clenchours 1363 clencheres 1375 in Salzman Building p. 309.
Coak : variant of Cook or Cock. Compare Margret Cook 1574 Margret Coak 1582 in IGI (Pocklington ER Yorks); Richard Cock 1734 Richard Coak 1736 in IGI (Saint Ervan Cornwall).
Cobbing : from an unrecorded Middle English personal name *Cobbing a pet form of Old English Cob(b) Cobba (see Cobb) + the Old English diminutive suffix -ing. The name may sometimes have been confused with Copping. Compare Richard Cobbing 1746 Hannah Copping 1772 in IGI (Horringer Suffolk); James Cobbing 1752 George Copping 1791 in IGI (Sudbury Suffolk).
Comper : from Middle English compair ‘companion associate comrade’(from Old French compere ‘godfather associate friend’).in Sussex it appears also to be a derivative in -er of the place-name element comp ‘field’ associated with traces of Roman activity; note John Comper of Wartling (undated) who appears to have been of the same family as Richard atte Comp 1327 in Subsidy Rolls (Sussex) of the same parish and a similar pairing occurs at Findon.
Comport : variant of Comfort with an intrusive -p- as in John Compforte 1627 in PROB 11 (East Grinstead Sussex) and with subsequent loss of -f- as illustrated by Richard Comfort alias Comport 1628 in PROB 11 (Whitechapel Middx).
Crampin : probably a late spelling of the now rare or extinct Crampon. As Wilson suggests it is a contracted form of Cramphorn which occurs in west Essex from the 16th century. Compare William Cramphorne 1570 Francis Crampon 1686 in IGI (Willingale Doe Essex); Edward Crampan 1563 Daniel Cramphorne 1656 in IGI (Epping Essex). However in other counties Crampon appears to be a reduced form of Crampton or Crompton as implied by correlations like Elizabeth Crampon 1559 Richard Crampton 1561 John Crompton 1611 in IGI (Norwich Norfolk); Rychard Crampton 1579 Elyzabethe Crampon 1579 in IGI (Cranbrook Kent). There is evidence of it in west Essex too: John Crompton 1633 Thomas Crampan 1732 Thomas Crampton 1740 in IGI (Chigwell Essex). This may have led to confusion between Crampton Crompton and Cramphorn. Compare Joanna Crampon 1718 Daniel Cramphorn 1722 Henry Crampthon 1752 Henry Crampton 1755 in IGI (Leyton Essex); Tho Cramphorn 1740 William Crampton 1853 Sarah Crompton 1856 in IGI (Waltham Abbey Essex). Crampon flourished in Essex villages near Sawbridgeworth (Herts) where Cramphorn originated but Crampin belongs to E Essex where Cramphorn first appears in the late 17th century in the Colchester area.
Dickenson : English: from the Middle English personal name Dicun a pet form of Richard (see Dicken) + son.
Dickinson : English: variant of Dickenson a patronymic from the Middle English personal name Dicun a pet form of Richard (see Dicken) + son.
Dinley : 1: see Dineley. 2: occasional variant of Dingley. Compare Richard Dingley 1715 Josia Dinley 1728 in IGI (Bromsgrove Worcs).
Doney : 1: English (Cornwall): of uncertain origin. There is a Richard Donowe recorded in 1451-64 as a tenant in Manuels Saint Columb Minor whose surname appears to be a pet form of an unidentified personal name with the Cornish hypocoristic suffix -ow. Formally this might have become Doney but Donowe itself seems not to have survived unless it was altered to Downey. However there is no evidence to suggest any connection of this west Cornwall surname with Doney in central and east Cornwall (Bodmin and Quethiock). Alternatively perhaps it is a variant of the Devon name Downey and with the main vowel shortened and lowered but evidence for this is lacking.2: Americanized form of French Canadian Daunais or Donais.
Drackett : late variant of Draycott. Compare Samuel Draycott 1704 Ann Drackett 1777 Richard Dracott 1780 in IGI (Leicester Leics); Robert Dracott 1821 Robert Drakitt 1823 in IGI (Ordsall Notts).
Drawer : from an agent derivative of Middle English drauen ‘to draw pull tug’ (Old English dragan) used to denote someone who draws in any of various senses; compare for example Roger le wirdragher ‘wire drawer’ 1313 in York Freemen's Register Richard le Pakkedrawere ‘(wool)pack carrier’ 1332 in Subsidy Rolls (London); Alan de Wifestow mukdragher ‘muck carter’ or possibly ‘scavenger’ 1340 in York Freemen's Register; Elias Wyndrawer ‘wine drawer’ 1373 in London Pleas; David Tothedrawer ‘tooth drawer’ 1422 in London Pleas.
Eddowes : apparently a variant of Edowe + post-medieval excrescent -s but the origin of Edowe is obscure. It might have arisen from an English misinterpretation of Welsh Beddow as ap Eddow on the model of Welsh surname variations like Evan and Bevan. It occurs only after the medieval period of surname formation: Thomas Edowe 1595 in IGI (Manchester Lancs); Rowland Edow 1603 Jane Eddowe 1605 Richard Edo 1697 in IGI (Nuneaton Warwicks); Jane Edo 1604 William Edoe 1612 in IGI (Mancetter Warwicks); David Edow 1612 in IGI (Chester Cheshire). Variation with -s-forms is rare but includes John Edowes 1609 Elinor Edowe 1613 in IGI (Holborn Middx) Randall Eddow 1626 Richard Eddows 1635 in IGI (Malpas Cheshire) and Ran. Eddow 1652 Roger Eddows 1678 in IGI (Whitchurch Shrops). Potential evidence for variation with Beddow(s) in the same parishes is also difficult to find: Randull Eddowes 1656 John Beddow 1673 Eleanor Beddows 1741 in IGI (Malpas Cheshire); Raphe Edowes 1656 Edward Beddoes 1729 in IGI (Oswestry Shrops). In these instances Eddow(s) always appears earlier than Beddow(s) and the two names may originally have had nothing to do with each other.an alternative possibility is that Edowe was back-formed from Edowes in which case Edowes would be a variant of Edis from the Middle English female personal name Edus. Compare Edusecros about 1301 in Place-Names of Cheshire 1 p. 124 recorded in Macclesfield where (no doubt coincidentally) the surname Eddows appears some 400 years later. For this name in East Anglia and the London area see also Edhouse.
Edgeler : variant of Edgley. Compare Richard Edgeley 1720 James Edgeler 1745 in IGI (Godalming Surrey).
Edgeworth : English (Gloucestershire): habitational name from Edgeworth (Gloucestershire) or possibly from Edgworth (Lancashire) so named from Old English ecg ‘hillside ridge’ + worth ‘enclosure’. This surname is also common in Ireland (particularly in County Longford) having been in Ireland since 1583. Edgeworthstown in Longford is named after Richard Lovell Edgeworth (1744–1817).
Elkerton : variant of Elkington for which compare Richard Elkington 1604 Edward Elkinton 1624 in IGI (Mollington Oxon).
Engley : perhaps a reduced variant of English. Compare Richardi Englis 1686 Richard Engles 1736 John English 1784 in IGI (Gloucester Gloucs) and Michael English 1726 in IGI (Woodchester Gloucs) with the bearers below.
Fance : unexplained; most likely a variant of Faunch Fanch(e) focused in Beds and Herts for which note Richard Fanche 1564 in IGI (Flamstead Herts) and which is possibly a locative name from Vange (Essex).
Fazackerley : from Fazakerley in Walton on the Hill (Lancs) which is recorded as Phasakyrlee in about 1250 and Fazakerley in 1509. The place-name contains Middle English ley ‘woodland clearing glade’ (Old English lēah ‘open woodland’) qualified by an earlier place-name Fasacre (recorded in the surname of Richard de ffasacre 1325 in Lancs Court Rolls) which probably derives from Old English fæs ‘border fringe’ + æcer OE ‘plot or strip of cultivated land acre’.
Fewlass : probably chiefly a variant of Fowles. Note the ancestry of Alice Fewles daughter of William Fewells earlier recorded as William Fewell or Fuel the son of Richard recorded as Richard Fuell Fule Fewle or Fewell 1562–76 in Parish Registers (Beverley ER Yorks).sometimes a variant of Thewlis. Note the variation in the name of Richard Thewlis Richard Fewlis 1682–4 in Parish Registers (Horbury WR Yorks).
Flatters : variant of Flatter with post-medieval excrescent -s; see Flather. With the Lincs name compare George Flaughter 1707 in IGI (Winterton Lincs) and Richard Flawter 1713 in IGI (Broughton by Brigg Lincs). They might be variants of Flather or have a different unknown origin.
Fludder : for a person who lived by a river stream or other body of water from Middle English flod flud(e) ‘river stream’ (Old English flōd) or ‘channel gutter’ (Old English flōde) + (i)er a linguistic formation typical of Sussex and Surrey. Compare Flutter (1) with which Fludder may have been interchangeable and see Richard Fludder 1681 Thomas Flutter 1738 in IGI (Thursley Surrey). See also Flood.
Fullalove : from Middle English ful of love ‘full of love’. Compare the Old French equivalent plein d'amor ‘full of love’ found as a surname in England in medieval sources: Richard Playndeamurs 1284 in Jönsjö Nicknames (Lancs); John Playndamur 1327 in Jönsjö Nicknames (Yorks) for which see Blandamer.
Fullilove : English: variant of Fullalove from Middle English ful of love ‘full of love’. Compare the Old French equivalent plein d'amor ‘full of love’ found as a surname in England in medieval sources: Richard Playndeamurs 1284 (Lancashire); John Playndamur 1327 (Yorkshire).
Gatford : 1: in Sussex and Surrey perhaps a variant of Catford with voicing of the initial consonant. However the G- spellings are very persistent and there is little sign of early variation with Catford apart from William Catford 1618 Richard Catford 1636 in IGI (Marden Kent) where the initial C- might be an error. Otherwise it might be one of the names in (2) -3 or (4) by migration. 2: from Gateford in Worksop (Notts) which is recorded as Gayteford Gaitford and Geitforth in the medieval period and as Gatford in 1544. The place-name derives from Old English gāt ‘goat’ (genitive plural gāta) influenced by Old Scandinavian geit ‘goat’ + ford ‘ford river crossing’. After 1500 there seems to be no sign of the gentry family of this name that had held the manor of Gateford since the 12th century. 3: perhaps sometimes from Gateforth near Selby (WR Yorks) commonly recorded in the medieval period as Gayteford and occasionally as Gateford and later as Ga(y)teforth. The place-name has the same etymology as Gateford (Notts) in (3) and the two surnames may have been confused. The Yorks name appears to have died out in N England during the 17th century (see Redmonds Dictionary of Yorks Surnames) though it may have survived further south by migration perhaps in an altered form. Some of the following early bearers may alternatively belong with (2). 4: perhaps sometimes an altered form of Gatward. Confusion as to the final element of Gatward is illustrated in Vincent Gatworth 1600 Elizabeth Gatward 1602 Jone Gatewood 1611 Roger Gateford 1618 in IGI (Stixwould Lincs). However the spellings in -worth -ward and -wood could equally well represent variants of Gat(e)ford. Stixwould is not far from Lincoln where Christofer Gaytforth is recorded in 1613 in IGI.
Gauton : probably a variant of Galton via forms such as Gaulton. Compare Elizabeth Gaulton 1653 in IGI (Bunbury Cheshire); Joseph Gaulton 1694 in IGI (Wistaston Cheshire); Richard Gaulton 1720 in IGI (Coppenhall Cheshire) with the bearers below.
Gilkinson : 1: probably a variant of Gilkison with intrusive -n-. Gilkison also spelled Gilkerson may have been re-formed as Gilkinson by a false analogy with northern surnames like Wilke(r)son a reduced form of Wilkinson. 2: possibly an English patronymic ‘son of Gilkin’. With a hard pronunciation of initial G- the personal name might be a pet form of Gilbert. With a soft pronunciation of initial G- it would be a borrowing into Middle English of Gilquin the French version of Middle Dutch Gilkin (as in the 1296 citation) which was the common Flemish pet form of Giles. Many Flemings settled in England after the Norman Conquest. It may have given rise to the now lost surnames Gilkin and Gilkins as in Richard Gylekyn 1317–18 in Feet of Fines (Surrey); Richard Gylkyns 1332 in Subsidy Rolls (Worcs). Compare Gill.alternatively the English surname (if it has a soft G-) might be based on a pet form of the Middle English female personal name Gillian. Compare Gill.
Glasswell : probably a hypercorrect form of Glassell; compare Jn. Glasswell 1773 Richard Glassell 1841 in IGI (South Creake Norfolk).
Godsman : from the Continental Germanic personal name Godesman ‘the man of the god’ or more likely ‘the man of God’. Compare Willelmus homo dei (Latin) 1195 in Pipe Rolls (Lincs) Richard Homedeu (Norman French) 1216 in Oseney Cartulary (Oxon).
Golledge : probably a variant of Colledge (from Colwich Staffs) as indicated by the co-occurrence of John College 1561 William Colledge 1576 William Golledge 1578 in IGI (Trowbridge Wilts); Edwarde Golledge 1594 Stephen Colledge 1600 in IGI (Ware Herts). Compare Richard Colewich 1327 in Subsidy Rolls (Little Badminton Gloucs) which suggests that the surname could have migrated to Wilts and Somerset from Gloucs.
Goodhead : 1: from Middle English godhede ‘goodness’. Compare Richard Godnesse 1327 in Subsidy Rolls (Suffolk). Some post-medieval examples may belong under (2). 2: from Middle English god(e) gud(e) goud(e) + hed(de) heved ‘head’.
Hakesley : probably a variant of Hawksley. Compare Richard Hakesley 1728 George Hawksley 1757 in IGI (Kirkby in Ashfield Notts).
Handle : 1: probably from a Middle English rhyming pet form of Randle (see Randall). Compare Hobb and Hick as pet forms of Robert and Richard.perhaps from Middle English handel hondel ‘handle’ in some unascertained application; compare William de Handlesettare 1327 in Subsidy Rolls (Gloucs). 2: anglicized form of Handel.
Harrand : variant of Arrand with prosthetic H-. Compare Richard Arrand 1790 Robert Harrand 1831 in IGI (Epworth Lincs); William Arrand 1863 James Harrand 1870 in IGI (Goole WR Yorks).
Hawtin : from Anglo-Norman French and Middle English haltein haltain haltan hautain hautein hautin auteyn ‘proud haughty arrogant’ certainly attested it seems in the 1327 Staffs bearer Robertus le Hauteyn and perhaps in the Norfolk and Oxon families surnamed Halteyn Hautein but see Further information below.from an altered form of the Middle English personal name Hal(f)dan Halden Haldein Alde(i)n (Old Scandinavian Halfdan see Haldane and Alden) which was early confused with or influenced by (i) (iii) and (iv). See Further information.from Middle English half-thein (Old English healf + Þegn) ‘half thane’ either for a man of knightly rank or for a retainer. It may have been given to one who held half a tenure or half a position. See Halfnight and compare Richard Halfcarl about 1277 in Miscellaneous Inquisitions and Thomas Halfsweyn 1299 in Assize Rolls (Staffs).for a hall servant or retainer from Middle English hal(le)-thein ‘hall thane’ (Old English heall-þegn).
Heckley : 1: apparently from Heckley in Embleton (Northumb) though this cannot be certain as no medieval bearers have been found. The place-name is recorded as Hecclive in about 1250 and may derive from Old English hēah ‘high’ + clif ‘cliff bank’. 2: perhaps from Heakley near Bagnall (Staffs) which is recorded as Heekleigh in 1240 and Heckeley in 1572 though the surname may not have survived. The origin of the place-name is uncertain. 3: occasionally a variant of Hickley. Compare Willm Heckley 1617 Jane Hickley 1620 in IGI (Fareham Hants); Richard Hickley 1624 Joane Heckley 1662 in IGI (Bishops Waltham Hants).
Helmn : apparently a variant of Helm; compare Robert Helm 1726 Richard Helmn 1755 in IGI (Goosnargh Lancs); John Helm 1735 William Helmn 1754 in IGI (Whitby NR Yorks); Thomas Helm 1750 Thomas Helmn 1757 in IGI (Bridlington ER Yorks).
Heminsley : perhaps from a lost or unidentified place. Alternatively perhaps a late variant of Hammersley; compare Richard Hamersley 1673 Geo. Hammersley 1717 Elizabeth Hemersley 1794 Joseph Heminsley 1810 in IGI (Willenhall Staffs).
Hempson : variant of Empson with prosthetic H-. Compare Rowland Hempson 1541 Richard Empson 1725 in IGI (Grimsby Lincs); John Hempson 1580 Wyllyam Empson 1594 in IGI (Great Yarmouth Norfolk).
Hickmott : English (Kent): relationship name meaning ‘brother-in-law of Hick’ from the Middle English personal name Hick (a pet form of Richard) + mawth ‘male in-law’ (compare northern dialect maugh from Old Norse mágr or Old English magu). The exact nature of the relationship designated is always not clear; the Middle English word meant ‘relative by marriage’ but was also used occasionally of a female blood relation.
Higginson : English (Lancashire): patronymic meaning ‘son of Higgin’ in Lancashire a Middle English pet form of Hugh but elsewhere probably also of Richard (see Hick).
Hitch : English: from the Middle English personal name Hich a rhyming pet form of Richard. Compare Hick.
Hobrough : apparently a variant of Holbrow. Compare John Compion Holbrow 1763 Robert Hobrow 1822 in IGI (Polstead Suffolk); Richard Hobrough 1823 Richard Holbrough 1827 in IGI (Great Barrington Gloucs).
Hollowbread : from Middle English holi bred ‘holy bread’ perhaps used for the baker who made the host or for the cleric who carried it at Mass. Compare Richard le Halywaterclerc 1285 in Assize Rolls (Essex).
Hudston : 1: variant of Hudson with intrusive -t-. Compare Richard Hudston 1583 Anne Hudson 1591 in IGI (Elford Staffs); Lily Hudson 1892 Ernest Hudstone 1894 in IGI (Mosborough Derbys). 2: see Hotston.
Idiens : apparently a late variant of Iddins. Compare Margt. Idiens 1758 Willm. Iddens 1761 in IGI (Trysull Staffs); William Iddens William Iddiens 1780 in IGI (Wombourne Staffs); Richard Iddens 1800 Richd. Idins 1811 James Harvey Penn Idens 1812 Ellen Iddiens 1830 Benjamin Idiens 1832 in IGI (Dudley Staffs).
Jobber : 1: perhaps from a reduced form of the Middle English (Old French) personal name Jo(i)bert; compare Joubert. This is suggested by the Staffs location of modern Jobber where other variants of Jobert may survive in the names of Mary Jobet 1718 in IGI (Lichfield Staffs) Samuell Jobett 1730 in IGI (Derby Derbys) Thomas Jobbitt 1774 in IGI (Walsall Staffs) and Sarah Jobbard 1822 in IGI (Darlaston Staffs). See also Jobin and Jobborn which have Staffs associations and may be pet form of Jobert. Some of the following early bearers may alternatively belong under (2) or (3). 2: from Middle English jobber of uncertain meaning. Richard le Jobbere (1277–8 in a copy dated 1662) was a carpenter paid for working and making huts at Vale Royal Abbey near Northwich Cheshire. The name might be a derivative of job ‘a piece of work’ though the word is not recorded in OED before the mid-16th century; hence ‘pieceworker’ perhaps. Other examples of the name might be derivatives of Middle English jobben ‘to peck or poke (something)’ (with a mattock perhaps) or of Middle English jubbe jobbe ‘a large vessel for holding liquids’ hence ‘maker and seller of jubbs’. 3: perhaps from a reduced form of Middle English jobard ‘fool’.
Kilshaw : 1: variant of Culcheth. Culcheth (Lancs) is recorded as Kelshawe in 1556 and Kilshay in 1590. See therefore Kelshaw which may sometimes be another variant of this name and compare Anne Killshaw 1572 Richard Culcheth 1663 in IGI (Ormskirk Lancs) with James Kilshaw alias Culcheth in an undated document in Cheshire Record Office and Eliz Culchet 1758 Mariae Kilshaw 1766 in IGI (Hornby Lancs). 2: variant of Kershaw; see also Kelsall with which this name was confused.
Ladkin : probably a variant of Ludkin in its variant form Lodkin with unrounding of the vowel to a as sometimes occurs before a dental consonant in Modern English dialects. Compare Thomas Lodkins 1571 in Shakespeare Centre (Tanworth Warwicks) and also Richard Lodkine son of Thomas Lodkyne 1620 with Elyzabeth Lodkynnes (bride) 1626 Elizabeth Ladkin (bride) 1672 Elizabeth Ladkins (christened) 1692 in IGI (all in Swinford Leics).
Logg : 1: from Ó Maol Mhaodhóg Ó Maolaodhóg or from Ó Laoghóg; see Logue. 2: variant of Lock with voicing of /k/ to /g/. Compare Richard Lock 1756 Arthur Logg 1761 in IGI (Buckland Filleigh Devon). 3: apparently from Middle English log ‘log stick unshaped piece of wood’ but the exact sense of this surname is unclear. Either of the post-medieval bearers below may belong under (2).
Loveless : English:: 1: nickname from Middle English loveles ‘loveless without love’ probably in the sense ‘fancy free’.2: some early examples such as Richard Lovelas (Kent 1344) may have as their second element Middle English las(se) ‘girl’ ‘maiden’.
McDicken : from mac ‘son’ followed by the personal name Dicken a diminutive of Richard.
McMurrough : Irish:: 1: Anglicized form (in Leinster) of Mac Murchadha ‘son of Murchadh’ a personal name meaning ‘sea warrior’. The spelling gh indicates the original guttural fricative sound of the internal -ch-. Elsewhere in Roscommon and Tyrone the usual Anglicized form was Murphy (the same phonetic change as in English laugh cough etc.). Diarmait Mac Murchadha (Dermot McMurrough) was intermittently king of Leinster from 1126–71. After being deposed in 1166 he requested help from Henry II to reclaim his kingdom which resulted in the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169 under the leadership of Richard de Clare Earl of Pembroke (known as ‘Strongbow’) an event that brought many Anglo-Norman surnames to Ireland. A powerful Irish family of this lineage were also known as Kavanagh after Dermot's son.2: Anglicized form (in Leinster) of Mac Murchadha ‘son of Murchadh’ a personal name meaning ‘sea warrior’. A powerful family of this name were also known as Kavanagh. The spelling gh indicates the original guttural fricative sound of the internal -ch-. Elsewhere (especially in Roscommon and Tyrone) the usual Anglicized form of the Irish name was Murphy.
Mordle : probably a variant of either Morden or Marden with /l/ substituted for final /n/ and rounding of the vowel in Marden and Mardon. See also Mardell and compare George Mordall 1595 Alexander Marden 1637 in IGI (Strood Kent); Joseph Mardle Rowlond Mordle 1710 Richard Mordle 1716 in Parish Registers (Knebworth Herts). In Devon and Somerset the name is perhaps a variant of Mardon.
Morphey : probably a reduced or altered form of Morfield or Murfield; see Merrifield a name found in various spellings in Cornwall Devon Wilts Hants Sussex Surrey and Kent. This is the perhaps the most likely source of the earliest examples in S and SW England but see (ii) for another source which seems to have arisen from the late 17th century onwards leading to possible confusion between names originally with -field and those originally with -foot. Compare the Stepney and the Saint Giles Cripplegate examples cited below with Susan Morefield 1611 Richard Morefield 1647 David Morfoot 1681 in IGI (Stepney Middx) and Thomas Morefield 1673 in IGI (Saint Giles Cripplegate London) although these could be different family names coinciding in the same parishes. With the Suffolk examples of Morphew etc. compare John Morfull 1547 in IGI (Woodbridge Suffolk).variant of Morfett (see Moorfoot). In Sussex and Kent this is illustrated by Dennis Morefoote 1551 Sarah Morfet 1696 Thomas Morfey 1759 in IGI (Wartling Sussex); Thomas Morfoot 1672 Thomas Morfee 1700 Thomas Morfett 1734 Zabulon Morphey 1745 in IGI (Hastings Sussex); Elizabeth Morfett 1745 Jeremiah Morphett 1758 John Morphey 1798 in IGI (Cranbrook Kent); Thos. Morfew 1747 Thomas Morfet 1755 Thomas Morfey 1750 in IGI (Guestling Sussex). A similar pattern of variation occurs in Norfolk: Walter Morefoote 1626 James Murfee 1687 Alexander Morfee 1701 Mary Morfew 1775 in IGI (Great Yarmouth Norfolk). There is early modern evidence for Murph(e)y as a variant of Morphey but 18th-century bearers listed below could alternatively belong with (iv).improbably from Anglo-Norman French morphé Middle English morphé morfe(e) morfeu morpheu murfue ‘morphea any one of a group of skin diseases characterized by discoloration of the skin and scurfy eruptions’. This is a medical term rather than an item of ordinary vocabulary from which a medieval nickname and surname might naturally have derived and the absence of corresponding medieval surname forms adds to the doubtfulness of such an origin. However the word was still current in early modern England and may have played a part in the alteration of the names in (i) and (ii) to Morphey and Morphew through learnéd folk etymology.see Irish Murphy.
Nixey : probably an altered form of Nix or perhaps of Nixon. Richard Nixey bishop of Norwich (died 1535) was more usually known as Richard Nikke or Nix.
Pembroke : English and Irish: habitational name from Pembroke (Welsh Penfro from Welsh pen ‘end’ + brog ‘land’) in southwest Wales. Pembroke Castle was of strategic importance in medieval and Tudor times because of its commanding position at the western end of the Bristol Channel and its control of seaborne traffic between Britain and the south of Ireland. It was from Pembroke that Richard de Clare Earl of Pembroke nicknamed ‘Strongbow’ launched an expedition to Wexford in 1169–70 which brought many English and Welsh surnames to Ireland.
Penlington : probably a variant of either Pennington or Pendleton through confusion of the two names. Compare Edward Penington 1714 Richard Pendlington 1716 in IGI (Nantwich Cheshire); Tho Pendleton 1630 Tho Penlington 1640 John Pennington 1747 in IGI (Bunbury Cheshire); Eliz. Pendleton 1605 Margaret Pennington 1767 in IGI (Frodsham Cheshire).
Penno : O. J. Padel suggests it may be a hypocoristic form (with the Cornish suffix -ow) of a name in Pen- such as Pentec ‘fair head’ (Cornish pen ‘head’ + tec ‘fine fair’) attested in Roger Richard and William Pentec about 1230-5 in Cornish Deeds (Pydar Hundred) or Pengwyn ‘white head’ (Cornish pen + gwyn) attested in John Pengwyn 1514 in Cornish Deeds (Saint Columb Major Pydar Hundred Cornwall). Apart from the Saltash example below all the earliest bearers of Penno(w) etc. are located in places in Pydar Hundred.alternatively perhaps a variant of Penn (3) a pet form of the Middle English female personal name Pernel (see Parnell) + the Cornish hypocoristic suffix -ow. Since Parnell is an especially common surname in Devon and Cornwall it is reasonable to suppose that Pernel was used as a given name there.
Pinchin : from the Old French personal name Pinçun Normano-Picard Pinchon apparently derived from Old French pinçon ‘finch’. Spellings with -ch- and -s- are often interchangeable as late as the 17th century. Pinchon or Pinson also sometimes alternated with Punchon (see Puncheon) but it it is not known if the two names were genuine phonetic variants or were merely confused with each other. In 1381 Poll Tax Agn' Pynchon and Nicholao Punchun are both listed for Harnhill and Driffield (Gloucs). In 1513-18 the manor of Oxhey Richard in Watford (Herts) was surrendered by Stephen Ponchon alias Pynson of London carpenter (TNA C 1/511/28). This is no doubt the same man as Steven Punchon 1536 in PROB 11 (London). For the change in vowel compare Pinchard for Punchard.Pinchon was reinforced in the 16th and 17th centuries by Huguenot migrants from NE France.
Plaxton : apparently an altered form of Plaister or Plasterer ‘plasterer’ (see Plaster) perhaps through false association with Blackstone which also occurs in ER Yorks. As proof Redmonds Dictionary of Yorks Surnames cites Richard Plaister alias Plaxton 1600 in York Registry Wills (Spaldington ER Yorks); Henry Plaxton alias Plaster 1607 Feet of Fines (Holme upon Spalding Moor ER Yorks). For the spelling compare Thomas Blaxton 1582 in IGI (Londesborough ER Yorks).
Potman : from the Middle English given name Poteman a pet form of Philipot (a diminutive of Philip) with the hypocoristic suffix -man. See Pott Potkin and Philpott and compare Richard Potemay (‘kinsman of Pot’) 1332 in Subsidy Rolls (Exceat in Westdean Sussex). Potman was introduced after the Norman Conquest probably by Flemings who used -man as a hypocoristic suffix. Compare Bateman Hickman Human and Pateman.for a potter from Middle English pot potte (see Pott) + man synonymous with Potter. Stephen Poteman 1296 1327 in Subsidy Rolls (Brede Sussex) could be the same man as Stephen Potter taxed in the same place in the 1332 subsidy along with Alan Poteman but the forename Stephen is common and may belong to a different man.perhaps for someone who lived by a hole or pit from Middle English pot potte (see Pott) + man. The surnames atte Potte and Poteman occur in E Sussex villages in the late 13th and early 14th centuries but evidence to prove their synonymity is lacking.
Powling : 1: perhaps from an unrecorded Middle English *polling a derivative of Middle English polle ‘head hair of the head’ or pollen ‘to cut (hair) shave (someone's head)’ + the noun-forming suffix -ing. It may have been given to someone with a distinctive head of hair or who had a shaven head. Compare Topping. 2: from Poling (Sussex) which is recorded as Paling(e) and Palyng from the 12th to 16th centuries Palinges in 1199 and Polynge in 1305. The place-name derives from Old English pāl ‘stake pole’ (or from a nickname derived from pāl) + the group-name suffix -ingas. This surname may have been confused with Pullen in (3); compare Baltazer Pullen 1639 Elizabeth Polling 1747 in IGI (Petworth Sussex). See also Poland. 3: variant of Pullan and Pullen; compare Ann Polling 1736 Richard Pullan 1789 in IGI (Bury Lancs).
Purfield : denoting someone who lived near a field or enclosure where pear-trees grew from Middle English per(e) + feld or from a minor place so named.Pernell Purfeld 1350 in Patent Rolls; Philip Pirfield citizen and grocer of London 1406 in Patent Rolls; Susan Purfield 1618 in Parish Registers (Lenham Kent); Edward Purfield 1653 in IGI (Hackney Middx); John Purfeild 1692 in IGI (Icklesham Sussex); Hannah Perfield about 1719 in Parish Registers (Bridlington ER Yorks); Richard Porfeild 1730 in Parish Registers (Much Wenlock Shrops).
Pyrah : perhaps a variant of Perry via the alternative pronunciation /pɪri/ or its alternative northern form Peary alternatively spelled Piery with the common northern alteration of final -y to -er and -ah. If this is right Py(e)rah would originally be a spelling of /pɪrə/ or /pɪərə/ rather than /paɪrə/. Correlations of Py(e)rah with Perry include James Perry 1700 William Pyerah 1773 in IGI (New Malton NR Yorks); Robt. Pyrer 1723 Jane Perry 1747 in IGI (Deane by Bolton Lancs); James Perry 1723 Joseph Pyra 1790 in IGI (Calverley WR Yorks); Ellen Pyrer 1730 John Perry 1780 in IGI (Formby Lancs); and Richard Perry 1733 Bettey Pyrah 1748 in IGI (Batley WR Yorks). These correlations could alternatively be coincidental pairings of unrelated names in the same parish or town in which case the origin of Pyrah remains to be discovered.
Revers : 1: see Rivers. 2: variant of River (2) or (3) + post-medieval excrescent -s. 3: from Reviers (Calvados Radaverum in 1077 Reviers 1160) whence came the de Rev(i)ers or Redvers family. Baldwin son of Richard de Redvers was made Earl of Devon in 1141. The family daughtered out in the 13th century and it is unlikely that any modern bearers of the surname Revers descend from it. See Rivers.
Ricard : 1: French: variant of Richard. Compare Recor Record Recore and Ricord.2: Channel Islands (Guernsey): variant of Rickard the characteristic Norman pronunciation of Richard.
Richman : 1: English: from the Middle English personal name Richeman either from an unrecorded Old English Rīcmann or from a pet form of Richard + the hypocoristic suffix -man. The name was sometimes interchangeable with Rickman especially in recent times.2: English: occasionally perhaps a nickname from Middle English riche ‘rich powerful’ + -man. Compare Rich.3: English: perhaps a variant of Richmond or vice versa.4: Americanized form of German Richmann: from a personal name composed of the ancient Germanic elements rīc ‘power(ful)’ + man ‘man’.
Rickaby : English (Durham): habitational name from Rickerby in Stanwix (Cumberland) from the Middle English personal name Richard or Rikard + Old Norse bȳ ‘farmstead village’. See Richard and compare Rich 2.
Rickerby : from Rickerby in Stanwix (Cumb) which is recorded as Ricardeby in 1247 and Richardby in 1303. The place-name derives from the Middle English personal name Richard or Rikard (see Richard) + Old Scandinavian bȳ ‘farmstead village’.
Rietz : German:: 1: habitational name from any of various places so named in eastern Germany (Brandenburg).2: altered form of Reitz.3: pet form of ancient Germanic personal names formed with rīk (e.g. Richard Heinrich) or hrōd (Rudolf).
Rossall : 1: from Rossall in Poulton Le Fylde (Lancs) which is recorded as Rushale in 1086 Rossall in 1212 and Russal in 1292. The name was easily confused with Russell. For example Richard Rossall 1592 is probably identical with Richard Russell 1596 both in IGI (Poulton Le Fylde Lancs). The etymology of the place-name is uncertain but may derive from Old Scandinavian hross ‘horse’ + hali ‘tail’ in the sense ‘narrow strip of land’ or from a British word related to Welsh rhos ‘moor heath plain’ + Old English halh ‘nook corner of land’. The land is low-lying and level forming a headland between the Wyre and the sea. 2: perhaps occasionally from Rossall (Shrops) which is recorded as Roshala in 1170 Rushall alias Russall in 1583. It probably derives from Old English *hros ‘horse’ + halh. It is not clear whether this surname survived into modern times though it may have done so as Rushall or Russell. 3: variant of Rossell.
Ryatt : from Middle English riot ‘riot debauchery noisy revelry violent disorder’ or from the rare Middle English adjective riot ‘lewd vulgar’.perhaps from a diminutive of a Middle English personal name such as Richard. Compare Ricot (see Richard) and Rowatt and note Riotus Costret 1299 in Patent Rolls.
Scrope : of uncertain origin. Tengvik suggests derivation from the Old Scandinavian personal name Skrópi (of doubtful etymology but compare Old Scandinavian skrópa-maðr ‘hypocrite’ containing the genitive plural form of skrópar ‘sham hypocrisy’). It is possible but not certain that this personal name forms the first element of the Notts place-name Scrooby. Otherwise there is no evidence for its currency in England or more relevantly in Normandy. Richards Castle (in Herefs and Shrops) was apparently named after Richard Scrope who held estates in Herefs and Worcs in 1066 and was a Norman favourite of Edward the Confessor. The Scrope family whose name is traditionally pronounced /skru:p/ was politically important in medieval England and acquired estates in Lincs (Barton on Humber) NR Yorks (Castle Bolton) and in ER Yorks (Flotmanby). Richard (le) Scrope of Bolton in Wensleydale was Lord Chancellor in the reign of Richard II. The use of le and de in the surname suggesting either a nickname or a locative name must be treated with caution because these were often added gratuitously to Anglo-Norman surnames as a sign of high social status.
Sedgbeer : perhaps from Sedgeborough in Clatworthy (Somerset) though this cannot be certain as no medieval evidence for the place-name has been found and it is therefore not possible to suggest an etymology for the place-name. Alternatively the surname may be from Sedgeberrow (Worcs) which is recorded as Secgesbearuwe in a 12th century copy of a document from 964; the bearer Richard de Segesbarwe 1344 in Patent Rolls (Winchcombe Gloucs) provides medieval evidence for a surname from this place which could then have become established in Somerset and Devon due to migration. The place-name derives from the Old English personal name Secg (genitive Secges) + Old English bearu ‘wood grove’.
Sedger : 1: the E Anglian name is probably a variant of Sigger with lowering of Middle English i to e. The bearers cited here may alternatively belong to (2). 2: from Middle English *segger a derivative of segge ‘sedge reeds’ + -er for someone who cut prepared sold or used sedge or reeds for thatching etc. Compare Richard le Seggemaker 1306 in Assize Rolls (Staffs) and see Sedgeman.
Sexton : 1: English: occupational name for a sexton or churchwarden from Middle English sextein(e) ‘sexton’ (Old French secrestein medieval Latin sacristanus). The sexton was originally the officer of a church in charge of the sacred vessels and vestments but later came to denote one who looked after the churchyard and dug graves.2: English: in northern England a variant of Saxton.3: English: possibly a habitational name from Sexton in Ermington (Devon) recorded as Shecoteston in 1329. The placename derives from the family of Richard Sheccoc recorded at Sexton in 1199 + Middle English toun ‘farmstead village settlement’. The origin of Richard Sheccoc's name is uncertain due to confusion between c and t as seen in the name of one of his descendants Richard Scheccote recorded at Sexton in 1333.4: Irish: shortened Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Seastnáin ‘descendant of Seastnán Seasnán’ a personal name meaning ‘bodyguard’ from seasuighim ‘to resist to defend’. The English surname was also established in Ireland where the rare surname McAtackney may represent a part-translation of ‘son of the Sexton’ into Irish.
Shurety : possibly a re-etymologized form of Surtees. Compare Ridley Surtees 1797 in IGI (Saint Mary at Hill London) and Richard Surtees 1787 in IGI (Holborn Middx).
Silverside : 1: from Middle English silver ‘silver’ + side ‘side (of the body ?head)’. Compare Richard Silvereghe (‘silver eye’) 1414–15 in Inquisitiones post Mortem (Yorks); Adam Siluermouth (‘silver mouth’) 1379 in Yorks Poll Tax; John Silvertop (‘silver hair’) 1478 in York Freemen's Register. Some early bearers may belong with sense 2. 2: from Silver Side in Farlam (Cumb) so recorded in 1485. The place-name appears to derive from Old English seolfor ‘silver’ + sīde ‘long side of a slope or hill hill side’.
Smelt : from Middle English smelt ‘smelt’ denoting a type of small fish related to the salmon perhaps for someone who caught or sold such fish. Richard Smelt 1347 in Patent Rolls was London fishmonger.from an unrecorded Middle English personal name *Smelt a survival of Old English Smelt which was perhaps originally a nickname from the word in (i).
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Source : DAFN2 : Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, ©2022 by Patrick Hanks and Oxford University Press
FANBI : The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain, ©2021, University of the West of England
FANBI : The Oxford Dictionary if Family Names in Britain and Ireland, ©2016, University of the West of England
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