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SURNAMES AS A SCIENCE

BY

ROBERT FERGUSON, M.P.,

F.S.A., F.S.A. (SCOT.);
AUTHOR OF "THE TEUTONIC NAME-SYSTEM."

LONDON:
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS,
BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL,
NEW YORK: 9, LAFAYETTE PLACE.
1883.

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LONDON:
R. CLAY, SONS, AND TAYLOR,
BREAD STREET HILL.

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TO

MRS. R.H. DANA (née LONGFELLOW),

OF BOSTON, MASS.,

IN MEMORY OF EARLY AND VALUED FRIENDSHIP, AND OF DAYS

NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN, PASSED AT CRAGIE HOUSE,

THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS INSCRIBED

BY THE AUTHOR.

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PREFACE.

That portion of our surnames which dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, andso forms a part of the general system by which Teutonic names aregoverned, is distinctly a branch of a science, and as such has beentreated by the Germans, upon whose lines I have generally endeavoured tofollow.

It has been a part of my object to show that this portion of oursurnames is a very much larger one than has been generally supposed, andthat it includes a very great number of names which have hitherto beenotherwise accounted for, as well as of course a great number for whichno explanation has been forthcoming.

Nevertheless, while claiming for my subject the dignity of a science, Iam very well aware that the question as to how far I have myselfsucceeded in treating it scientifically is an entirely different one,[Pg vi]and one upon which it will be for others than myself to pronounce anopinion.

This work is of the nature of a supplement to one which I published sometime ago under the title of The Teutonic Name-system applied to theFamily-names of France, England, and Germany (Williams and Norgate),though I have been obliged, in order to render my system intelligible,to a certain extent to go over the same ground again.

I will only say, in conclusion, that in dealing with this subject—onein which all persons may be taken to be more or less interested—I haveendeavoured as much as possible to avoid technicalities and to write soas to be intelligible to the ordinary reader.

Robert Ferguson.

Morton, Carlisle.
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CONTENTS.