Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley

DOUBLE CHRISTIAN NAMES: THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.

I. Royal Double Names.

“But two christian names are rare in England, and I only remember now his Majesty, who was named Charles James, as the Prince his sonne Henry Frederic: and among private men, Thomas Maria Wingfield and Sir Thomas Posthumus Hobby.”—Camden.

If we take this sentence literally, the great antiquary, who knew more of the families and pedigrees of the English aristocracy than any other man of his day, could only recall to his mind four cases of double Christian names. This was in 1614.

At the outset, therefore, there is significance in this statement. Mr. Blunt, in his “Annotated Prayer-Book,” says of “N. or M.” in the Catechism—

“N. was anciently used as the initial of Nomen, and ‘Nomen vel Nomina’ was expressed by ‘N. vel NN.,’ the double N being afterwards corrupted into M.”

If this be a correct explanation, “M.” must refer to cases where more than one child was brought to the priest, N. standing for an occasion where only one infant was presented. In a word, “N. or M.” could not stand for “Thomas or Thomas Henry,” but for “Thomas or Thomas and Henry.” If this be unsatisfactory, then Mr. Blunt’s explanation is unsatisfactory.

Camden’s sentence may be set side by side with Lord Coke’s decision. In his “First Institute” (Coke upon Littleton) he says—

“And regularly it is requisite that the purchaser be named by the name of baptism, and his surname, and that special heed be taken to the name of baptism; for that a man cannot have two names of baptism, as he may have divers surnames.”

Again, he adds—

“If a man be baptized by the name of Thomas, and after, at his confirmation by the bishop, he is named John, he may purchase by the name of his confirmation.... And this doth agree with our ancient books, where it is holden that a man may have divers names at divers times, but not divers christian names.”

This is all very plain. Even in James I.’s days thousands of our countrymen had no fixed surnames, and changed them according to caprice or fancy. But the christian name was a fixture, saving in the one case of confirmation. Lord Coke is referring to an old rule laid down by Archbishop Peckham, wherein any child whose baptismal name, by accident or evil thought, had a bad significance is advised, if not compelled, to change it for one of more Christian import.

The chief point of interest, however, in this decision of Lord Coke’s, is the patent fact that no thought of a double christian name is present in his mind. Had it been otherwise, he would never have worded it as he has done. Archbishop Peckham’s rule had evidently been infringed, and Lord Coke upholds the infringement. A child with such an orthodox name as Thomas (a name with no immoral significance) might, he lays it down, become John at confirmation. Even in such a case as this, however, John is not to be added to Thomas; it must take its place, and Thomas cease to be recognized.

Lord Coke, of course, was aware that Charles I.’s queen was Henrietta Maria, the late king Charles James, and his son Henry Frederic. It is possible, nay probable, that he was not ignorant of Thomas Maria Wingfield’s existence, or that of Thomas Posthumus Hobby. But that these double baptismal names should ever become an every-day custom, that the lower and middle classes should ever adopt them, that even the higher orders should ever go beyond the use of “Maria” and “Posthumus,” seems never to have suggested itself to his imagination.There is no doubt the custom came from France in the first instance. There, as in England, it was confined to the royal and aristocratic circles. The second son of Catharine de’ Medici was baptized Edward Alexander in 1551. Mary Stuart followed the new fashion in the names of her son Charles James. The higher nobility of England slowly copied the practice, but within most carefully prescribed limits.

One limitation was, the double name must be one already patronized by royalty.

Henrietta Maria found her title repeated in Henrietta Maria Stanley, daughter of the ill-fated James, Earl of Derby, who for his determined loyalty was beheaded at Bolton, in Lancashire, in 1651. She was born on the 17th of November, 1630, and was buried in York Minster on the 13th of January, 1685. Sir Peter Ball, attorney to the queen of Charles I., baptized his seventeenth child by the name of his royal mistress, Henrietta Maria. He followed her fortunes after as before the king’s execution (Polwhel’s “Devon,” p. 157). These must both have been considered remarkable cases in their day. The loyalty of the act would be its sanction in the eyes of their friends.

But while some copied the double name of the queen (also the name of the queen’s mother), other nobles who had boys to christen mimicked the royal nursery of James I. Henry Frederick, Earl of Arundel, was born in 1608, and Henry Frederick Thynne, brother of Lord Weymouth, was created a baronet in 1641. No one need doubt the origin of these double forms. Again loyalty would be their answer against objections.

But side by side with these went “Maria” (used for either sex) and “Posthumus,” or Posthuma—the only two instances recalled by Camden as in use among “private men.” There seems good reason to believe that, for two or three generations at least, these were deemed, by some unwritten code, the only permissible second names outside the royal list.

The case of Wingfield is curious. Three generations, at least, bore a second name “Maria,” all males. The first was Edward Maria, of Kimbolton, who received the female title in honour of, and from, the Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII., his godmother; the second was Thomas Maria, adduced by Camden; and the third is referred to in the following document:

“1639, April. Bill of complaint relative to the sale of the manor of Keyston, Hunts, by Edward Maria Wingfield.”—C. S. P., 1639.

Maria had long been common in Italy, France, and Spain, as a second name, and still is, whether for a boy or girl, the child being thereby specially committed to the protection of the Virgin. The earliest instances in England, however, were directly given in honour of two royal godmothers, who happened to be Mary in one case, and Henrietta Maria in the other. Hence the seeming transference of the foreign second name Maria to our own shores. Thus introduced, Maria began to circulate in society generally as an allowed second name:

“1610, July 10. Baptized Charles Maria, sonne of Charles Chute, Esquire.”—St. Dunstan-in-the-West.

“1640, ——. Died Gulielma Maria Posthuma Springett.”—Tablet, Ringmer, Lewes, Sussex.

This last was a bold procedure, three names being an unheard-of event. But the sponsor might reply that he was only placing together the two recognized second names, Maria and Posthuma. Later on, Maria is again found in the same family. In the year 1672, William Penn, the Quaker, married Gulielma Maria, daughter of Sir William Springett.

Posthuma (as in the above instance), or Posthumus, is still more remarkable. The idea of styling a child by this name, thus connecting its birth with the father’s antecedent death, seems to have touched a sympathetic chord, and the practice began widely to prevail. The first example I have seen stands as a single name. Thus, in the Canterbury Cathedral register, is recorded:

“1572, Feb. 10. Christened Posthumus, the sonne of Robert Pownoll.”

The following is the father’s entry of burial:

“1571, June 8. Buried Robert Pownoll.”

This is the earliest instance I have seen. Very soon it was deemed right to make it a second name:

“1632, Sept. 18. Baptized Henry Postumus, son of James Gamble.”—Doncaster.

Sir Thomas Posthumus Hoby, Knight, lord of the manor of Hackness, died in 1641. He bequeathed the greater portion of his estates to “his dearly beloved and esteemed cozen John Sydenham,” of Brimpton, Somerset, who, being baroneted in July, 1641, died in 1642, and was succeeded by his son Sir John Posthumus Sydenham. Posthumus, possibly, in this case was commemorative of Sir Thomas, and not of Sir John. William Ball, son of Sir Peter Ball, already mentioned, married Maria Posthuma Hussey. This must have occurred before the Commonwealth, but I have not the exact date.

The character of all these names is sufficient proof of their rarity. All belong, with one exception, to the higher ranks of society. All were called after the children in the royal nursery, or Maria or Posthuma was the second component. Several formed the double name with both. It seems certain that at first it was expected that, if people in high life were to give encouragement to the new fashion, they must do so within certain carefully defined limits. As for any lower class, it was never imagined that they would dream of aspiring to such a daring innovation. The earliest instance of this class, I find, still has Mary for its second component, and commemorates two English queens:

“1667, Jan. 12. Baptized Elizabeth Mary, being of the age of 18 and upwards, daughter to John Allen, and Emm his wife, both of them being pro-baptists.”—Cant. Cath.

Even to the close of the seventeenth century, if a middle-class man gave his child a double name, it must be to commemorate royalty:

“1696, June 4. Baptized William Henry, son of Mr. Jacob Janeway, and Francis his wife.”—Cant. Cath.

William III. was christened William Henry.

Speaking of Mary’s husband, we may add that two of the most familiar conjunctions of the present day among the middle and lower classes, that of Anna Maria or Mary Ann, arose similarly. In Italy and France the two went together a hundred years earlier, in connection with the Virgin and her mother. In England they are only found since 1700, being used as commemorative of the sisters Anne and Mary, both queens. Like William Henry, the combination has been popular ever since:

“1717, Feb. 15. Christened Anne-Mary, d. of James Hebert, mercer.

“1729, March 30. Christened Anna-Maria, d. of Thomas and Mary Hoare, pewterer.”—St. Dionis Backchurch.

The clerk of Finchley Church could not understand this conjunction—not to add that his education seems to have been slightly neglected:

“1715, Feb. 26. Baptized Anammeriah, d. of Thomas and Eliz. Biby.

“1716, M^ch. 17. Baptized Anameriah, d. of Richard and Sarah Bell.”

These are the first double names to be found in this register.

The Latin form represents the then prevailing fashion. There was not a girl’s name in use that was not Latinized. Goldsmith took off the custom in his “Vicar of Wakefield,” in the names of Sophia, Olivia, and Carolina Wilhelmina Amelia Skeggs. The latter hit at the new rage for double and treble baptismal names also; for the day came when two names were not enough. In 1738 George III. was christened George William Frederic. Gilly Williams, writing to George Selwyn, December 12, 1764, says—

“Lord Downe’s child is to be christened this evening. The sponsors I know not, but his three names made me laugh not a little—John Christopher Burton. I wish to God, when he arrives at the years of puberty, he may marry Mary Josephina Antonietta Bentley.”—“Memoirs of George Selwyn,” by Jesse, quoted by Mr. Waters in “Parish Registers,” p. 31.

I need scarcely add that three do not nearly satisfy the craving of many people in the nineteenth century, nor did they everybody in the eighteenth:

“1781, April 29. Bapt. Charles Caractacus Ostorius Maximilian Gustavus Adolphus, son of Charles Stone, tailor.”—Burbage, Wilts.

In Beccles Church occurs the following:

“1804, Oct. 14. Bapt. Zaphnaphpaaneah Isaiah Obededom Nicodemus Francis Edward, son of Henry and Sarah Clarke.”

Only Francis Edward could be got in the ordinary place, so the rest had to be furnished in a note at the foot of the page.

“On Oct. 8th, 1876, in the revision of the parliamentary list at Preston, a claimant appeared bearing the name of Thomas Hill Joseph Napoleon Horatio Bonaparte Swindlehurst Nelson. The vote was allowed, and the revising barrister ordered the full name to be inserted on the register.”—Manchester Evening News, October 11, 1876.

II. Conjoined Names.

Returning to the first half of the seventeenth century, we find strong testimony of the rarity of these double names, and a feeling that there was something akin to illegality in their use, from our registers, wherein an attempt was made to glue two names together as one, without a hyphen or a second capital letter. Take the following, all registered within a generation or two of Camden’s remark:

“1602, May 24. Baptized Fannasibilla, d. of Thomas Temple.”—Sibbesdon, Leicestershire.

Here is a palpable attempt to unite Francis (Fanny) and Sybil.

“1648, Jan. 25. Baptized Aberycusgentylis, son of Richard Balthropp, gent.”—Iver, Buckingham.

Here the father has been anxious to commemorate the great Oxford professor, the father of international law, Dr. Abericus Gentilis. He has avoided a breach of supposed national law by writing the two names in one.

“1614, Aprill 16. Buried Jockaminshaw Butler, wife of James Butler, potter, in Bishopsgate Street.”—St. Peter, Cornhill.

The surname of “Shaw” has done service hundreds of times since then as a second baptismal name.

“1640, May 7. Baptized Johnamaria, ye son of Frances Ansloe, and Clare his wife.”—Cant. Cath.

Here again is the inevitable Maria, but so inwoven with John, that Lord Coke’s legal maxim could not touch the case. It is the same in the following example:—

“1632, ——. Married John Pell to Ithamaria, d. of Henry Reynolles, of London.”—Lower, “Worthies of Sussex,” p. 178.

One of the most strange samples of conjoined names is this:

“1595, April 3. Joane, whome we maye call Yorkkooppe, because she was ye basterd daughter, as yt is comonlye reported, of one John York and Anne Cooper.”—Landbeach.

Here is a double conjunction; John and Anne forming Jo-ane, and York and Cooper, Yorkkooppe. The first is neat, the second clumsy: but, doubtless, the clerk who wielded the goose-quill deemed both a masterpiece of ingenuity.

The following is interesting:—

“1616, July 13, being Satterday, about half an hour before 10 of the clocke in the forenoon, was born the Lady Georgi-Anna, daughter to the Right Hon. Lady Frances, Countess of Exeter; and the same Ladie Georgi-Anna was baptized 30th July, 1616, being Tuesday, Queen Anne and the Earl of Worcester, Lord Privie Seal, being witnesses: and the Lorde Bishop of London administered the baptism.”—Vide R. E. C. Waters, “Parish Registers.” 1870.

III. Hyphened Names.

It will be noticed that so far the two names were both (saving in the case of Aberycusgentylis and Jockaminshaw) from the recognized list of baptismal names. About the reign of Anne the idea of a patronymic for a second name seems to have occurred. To meet the supposed legal exigencies the two names were simply hyphened. We will confine our instances to the register of Canterbury Cathedral:

“1721, Jan. 20. Baptized Howe-Lee, son of Lee Warner, Esquire, and Mary his wife.

“1728, July 4. Baptized Francis-Gunsby, son of Dr. William Ayerst, prebendary of this church.

“1746, Sep. 28. Baptized James-Smith, son of James Horne, and Mary his wife.”

I need not say that at first these children bore the name in common parlance of Howe-Lee, or Francis-Gunsby, or James-Smith. The two were never separated, but treated as one name. To this day traces of this eighteenth-century habit are to be found. I know an old gentleman and his wife, people of the old school, dwelling somewhat out of the world, who address a child invariably by all its baptismal titles. The effect is very quaint. In all formal and legal processes the two or three names have to be employed, and clergymen who only recite the first in the marriage service, as I have heard some do, are in reality guilty of misdemeanour.

How odd all these contrivances to modern eyes! We take up a directory, and every other registration we look on is made up of three names. The poorer classes are even more particular than the aristocracy upon the point. The lady-help, describing her own superior merit, says—

“Do not think that we resemble
Betsy Jane or Mary Ann,
Women born in lowly cottage,
Bred for broom or frying-pan.”And yet, in forty-nine church registers out of fifty, throughout the length and breadth of England, there will not be found a single instance of a double christian name previous to the year 1700. Mr. Maskell has failed to find any instance in the register of All-Hallows, Barking, and the Harleian Society’s publication of the registers of St. Peter, Cornhill, and St. Dionis Backchurch only confirms the assertion I have made.

Many stories have arisen upon these double names. A Mr. Gray, bearing the once familiar Christian name of Anketil, wanted the certificate of his baptism. The register was carefully searched—in vain; the neighbouring registers were as thoroughly scanned—in vain. Again the first register was referred to, and upon a closer investigation he was found entered as Ann Kettle Gray.

Not very long ago a child was brought to the font for baptism. “What name?” asked the parson. “John,” was the reply. “Anything else?” “John honly,” said the godparent, putting in an “h” where it was not needed. “John Honly, I baptize thee,” etc., continued the clergyman, thus thrown off his guard. The child was entered with the double name.

In Gutch’s “Geste of Robin Hode” (vol. i. p. 342) there is a curious note anent Maid Marian, wherein some French writers are rebuked for supposing Marian to be composed of Mary and Ann, and the statement is made that it is from Mariamne, the wife of Herod! Marian or Marion, of course, is the diminutive of Mary, the other pet form being Mariot. Nevertheless the great commonness of the double christian name Mary Ann is consequent on the idea that Marian is compounded of both.

In the registers of marriages at Halifax parish church (December 1, 1878) is the name of a witness, Charity H——. He—it was a he—is the third child of his parents, two sisters, Faith and Hope, having preceded him. His full baptismal name is “And Charity,” and in his own marriage certificate his name is so written. In ordinary affairs he is content with Charity alone (Notes and Queries, August 16, 1879). This could not have happened previous to Queen Anne’s reign. Acts-Apostles Pegden’s will was administered upon in 1865. His four elder brothers bore the four Evangelists’ names. This, again, could not well have occurred before the eighteenth century was in. In Yorkshire directories one may see such entries as John Berry, and immediately below, Young John Berry. This represents a common pleasantry at the font among the “tykes,” but is necessarily modern. Nor could “Sir Isaac” or “Sir Robert,” as prÆnomens to “Newton” or “Peel,” have been originated at any distant period.

IV. The Decay of Single Patronymics in Baptism.

The introduction of double baptismal names produced a revolution as immediate as it was unintentional. It put a stop to what bade fair to become a universal adoption of patronymics as single baptismal names. This practice took its rise about the year 1580. It became customary in highly placed families to christen the eldest son by the name of the landed estate to which he was heir. Especially was it common when the son succeeded to property through his mother; then the mother’s surname was his Christian name. With the introduction of second baptismal names, this custom ceased, and the boy or girl, as the case might be, after a first orthodox name of Robert or Cecilia, received as a second the patronymic that before was given alone. Instead of Neville Clarke the name would be Charles Neville Clarke. From the year 1700, say, this has been a growing custom, and half our present list of treble names are thus formed.[62]The custom of giving patronymic names was, for a century at least, peculiar to England, and is still rare on the Continent. Camden notices the institution of the practice:

“Whereas in late yeares sirnames have beene given for christian names among us, and no where else in Christendome: although many dislike it, for that great inconvenience will ensue: neverthelesse it seemeth to procede from hearty goodwill and affection of the godfathers, to shew their love, or from a desire to continue and propagate their owne names to succeeding ages. And is in no wise to bee disliked, but rather approoved in those which, matching with heires generall of worshipfull ancient families, have given those names to their heires, with a mindefull and thankfull regard of them, as we have now Pickering, Wotton, Grevill, Varney, Bassingburne, Gawdy, Calthorpe, Parker, Pecsal, Brocas, Fitz-Raulfe, Chamberlanie, who are the heires of Pickering, etc.”—“Remaines,” 1614.

Fuller says—

“Reader, I am confident an instance can hardly be produced of a surname made christian in England, save since the Reformation.... Since it hath been common.”—“Worthies,” i. 159, 160.

For two hundred years this custom had the widest popularity among the higher classes, and from some of our registers there are traces that the lower orders were about to adopt the practice. In the case of female heiresses the effect is odd. However, this was got over sometimes by giving a feminine termination:

“1660, Aug. 28. John Hendon, Knight, of Biddenden in Kent, and Northamtonia Haward, of Tandridge in Surrey, married.”—Streatham, Surrey.“1711, Jan. 3. Buried Jermyna, d. of Mr. Edward Tyson, gent.”—St. Dionis Backchurch.

“1699, March 7. Nathaniel Parkhurst and Althamia Smith, of Kensington, married.”

Althamia was daughter of Altham Smyth, barrister, son of Sir Thomas Smyth, of Hill Hall, Essex (Chester’s “Westminster Abbey,” p. 173).

But more often they were without the feminine desinence:

“1639, Oct. 18. Buried Essex, daughter of Lord Paget.”—Drayton (Lyson’s “Middlesex,” p. 42).

Will of John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, 1680 (Doctors’ Commons):

“Item: To my daughter Mallet, when shee shall have attained the like age of sixteen, the summe of foure thousand pounds.”

The Countess of Rochester was Elizabeth, daughter and heir of John Mallet, Esq., of Enmore, Somerset.

“1699. Petition of Windebank Coote, widow, to the Lords of the Treasury, showing that her husband Lambert Coote was a favourite servant of King Charles II., and left her with a great charge of children.”—“C. Treas. P.,” 1697-1702.

“Tamworth, daughter of Sir Roger Martin, of Long Melford, married Thomas Rookwood (who was born Aug. 18, 1658).”—“Collect. et Top.,” vol. ii. p. 145.

“1596, Nov. 21. Baptized Cartwright, daughter of Nicholas Porter.”—Aston-sub-Edge, Gloucester.

“1634, April 18. Baptized Steward, daughter of Sir Thomas Stanley, Knight.”—Stepney, London.

“1656, March 24. Douglas Sheffield, daughter of Sir John Sheffield.”—“Lunacy Commissions and Inquisitions,” Record Office.

“1709, Feb. 3. Tankerville Chamberlyne, spinster, daughter of Edward C.”—Ditto.“1601, Feb. Buryed Handforth, d. Thomas Davenport, a soldier in Ireland.”—Stockport Parish Church.

“1610, July 24. Baptized Kenburrow, ye daughter of Dr. Masters, one of the worshipfull prebendaries.”—Cant. Cath.

“1688, March 29. Baptized Tufton, daughter of the Rev. Dr. James Jefferys, one of the prebendarys of this church.”—Cant. Cath.

Even down to the middle of last century the custom was not uncommonly practised:

“1763, Sep. 15. Thomas Steady, of Chartham, to Chesterton Harnett, of the precincts of this church, spinster, by licence.”—Cant. Cath.

“1759, June 12. Honourable Chatwynd Trumbull, widow.”—“Lunacy Commissions and Inquisitions.”

As to the male heirs, we need not furnish illustrations; they would require too much room:

“Sir Humphry Winch, Solicitor-General to Queen Elizabeth, married Cicely Onslowe. His eldest son was Onslowe Winch.”—“Collect. et Top.,” vol. iii. p. 86.

“Woodrove Foljambe, born Jan. 25, 1648, son of Peter Foljambe. His mother was Jane Woodrove, of Hope, Derbyshire.”—Ditto, p. 88.

How common the practice was becoming among the better-class families the Canterbury register shall show:

“1601, April 16. Baptized Nevile, the sonne of Edwarde Whitegrave.

“1614, Nov. 28. Baptized Tunstall, sonn of Mr. William Scott, the sonn-in-lawe to the worshipful Mr. Tunstall, prebendary of this church.

“1615, May 15. Baptized Dudly, sonn of Mr. Doctor Jacksonn.

“1619, Dec. 16. Baptized Dudley, sonne of Sir John Wiles.

“1624, July 26. Baptized Sydney, sonne of Sirre William Barnes, K^t.”

Dudley was, perhaps, the first surname that obtained a place among ordinary baptismal names:

“1614, Aug. 17. Christened Dudley, son of Thomas Styles.

“1684, April 17. Christened Dudley, son of Francis and Sarah Dylate.”—St. Dionis Backchurch.

The introduction of surnames at the font permitted private predilections full play. At Canterbury we naturally find:

“1727, Feb. 22. Buried Cranmer Herris, gent., in ye cloisters.”—Cant. Cath.

“1626, Oct. Baptized Bradford, sonne of Christopher Wilson, of Limehouse.”—Stepney.

Hanover Stirling was a scholar of Trinity College, Dublin, in 1729. A Scotch Jacobite in London showed some skill in the heat of the great crisis of 1715:

“1715, June 10. Christened Margaret Jacobina, d. of Mr. Archiball Johnson, merchant.”—St. Dionis Backchurch.[63]

This will be sufficient. The custom is by no means extinct; but, through the introduction of second baptismal names, the practice is now rare, and all but entirely confined to boys. Two hundred and fifty years ago, it was quite as popular with the other sex.

Both Dudley and Sydney, mentioned above, have been used so frequently that they have now taken a place in our ordinary list of baptismal names. So far as Sydney is concerned, the reason is easily explained. The Smith family have been so fond of commemorating the great Sydney, that it has spread to other families. Chauncey and Washington occupy the same position in the United States.

V. The Influence of Foundling Names upon Double Baptismal Names.

One circumstance that contributed to the adoption of two baptismal names was the christening of foundlings. Having no father or mother to attest their parentage, being literally anonymous, there sprang up a custom, about the year 1500, of baptizing these children with a double title; only the second one was supposed to be the surname, and not a baptismal name at all. This second name was always a local name, betokening the precise spot, street, or parish where the child was found. Every old register has its numerous instances. The foundlings of St. Lawrence Jewry got the baptismal surname of Lawrence. At All-Hallows, Barking, the entries run:

“A child, out of Priest’s Alley, christened Thomas Barkin.

“Christened a child out of Seething Lane, named Charles Parish.

“A child found in Mark Lane, and christened Mark Lane.”—Maskell, “All-Hallows, Barking,” p. 62.

At St. Dunstan-in-the-West they are still more diversified:

“1597, M^ch. 1. Renold Falcon, a childe borne in Falcon Court, bapt.

“1611, May 11. Harbotles Harte, a poor childe found at Hart’s dore in Fewter Lane, bapt.

“1614, March 26. Moses Dunstan, a foundlinge in St. Dunstan’s hall, bapt.

“1618, Jan. 18. Mary Porch, a foundeling, bapt.

“1625, Aug. 7. Roger Middlesex was baptized.

“1627, May 19. Katherine Whitefryers was baptized.”

“1610, Nov. Bapt. Elizabeth Christabell, d. of Alice Pennye, begotten in fornacacion.”—Stepney, London.

“1586, May 21. Christening of Peter Grace, sonne of Katherine Davis, an harlot.”—St. Peter, Cornhill.

“1592, Aug. 2. Christening of Roger Peeter, so named of our church; the mother a rogue, the childe was born the 22^d July at Mr. Lecroft’s dore.”—Ditto.

The baptismal register of St. Dionis Backchurch teems with Dennis, or Dionys, as the name is entered:

“1623, Aug. 6. Joane Dennis, being laid at Mr. John Parke’s doore in Fanchurch Streete.

“1627, June 3. Denis the Bastard, who was laid in the parish.

“1691, Nov. 19. Ingram Dionis, a fondling taken up in Ingram’s Court.”[64]

We see in these registers the origin of the phrase, “It can’t be laid at my door.” Doubtless it was not always pleasant to have a little babe, however helpless, discovered on the doorstep. The gossips would have their “nods, and becks, and wreathed smiles,” if they said nothing upon the subject. It was a common dodge to leave it on a well-known man’s premises:

“1585, April 23. A man child was laid at Sir Edward Osbourne gate, and was named Dennis Philpot, and so brought to Christes Ospitall.”

The same practice prevails in America. A New York correspondent wrote to me the other day as follows:—

“One babe, who was found in the vestibule of the City Hall, in this city (New York), was called John City Hall; another, Thomas Fulton, was found in Fulton Street in an ash-box; and a third, a fine boy of about four months, was left in the porch of Christ Church Rectory in Brooklyn. He was baptized by the name of Parish Church, by the Rev. Dr. Canfeild, the then rector.”

The baptisms of “blackamoors” gave a double christian name, although the second was counted as a surname:

“Baptized, 1695, M^ch. 27, John Wearmouth, a Tawny, taken captive, aged 20.”—Bishop Wearmouth (Burns).

“Baptized, 1602-3, March, Christian Ethiopia, borne a Blackmore.”—Stepney.

“Baptized, 1603, July, Charity Lucanoa, a Blackamor from Ratcliff.”—Ditto.

“1744, Sep. 27. Rum John Pritchard, a Indian and Mahomitan, baptized this day by self at Mr. Pritchard’s.”—Fleet Registers (Burns).

“1717, ——. Baptized Charles Mustava, a black boy, servant to The Honble. Lord Hartford.”—Preshute, Wilts.

Our forefathers did not seem to perceive it, but in all these cases double baptismal names were given. It must, however, have had its unfelt influence in leading up to the new custom, and especially to patronymics as second names. We are all now familiarized to these double and treble names. The poorest and the most abject creatures that bring a child to the font will have their string of grand and high-sounding titles; sometimes such a mouthful, that the parson’s wonder is excited whence they accumulated them, till wonder is lost in apprehension lest he should fail to deliver himself of them correctly. The difficulty is increased when the name is pronounced as the fancy or education of the sponsor dictates. When one of three names is “Hugginy,” the minister may be excused if he fails to understand all at once that “EugÉnie” is intended. Such an incident occurred about six years ago, and the flustered parson, on a second inquiry, was not helped by the woman’s rejoinder: “Yes, Hugginy; the way ladies does their ’air, you know.”

We must confess we are not anxious to see the new custom—for new it is in reality—spread; but we fear much it will do so. We have reached the stage when three baptismal names are almost as common as two; and we cannot but foresee, if this goes on, that, before the century is out, our present vestry-books will be compelled to have the space allotted to the font names enlarged. As it is, the parson is often at his wits’ end how to set it down.

INDEX.

A
Abacuck, 62, 85, 119
Abdiah, 56
Abdias, 45
Abednego, 53, 63, 87, 190, 191
Abel, 54, 89, 90
Abelot, 90
Abericusgentylis, 223, 224
Abigail, 66, 67, 68, 141
Abner, 53
Abraham, 35, 85
Abstinence, 152, 187
Abuse-not, 162
Accepted, 123, 152, 171, 193
Achsah, 55
Acts-Apostles 58, 227
Adah, 53
Adam, 35
Adcock, 16, 35
Adecock, 15
Adkin, 10, 35
Admiral, 197
Adna, 53
Adoniram, 84, 88
Agatha, 144
Agnes, 43, 93
Aholiab, 45, 85
Aid-on-high, 174
Alathea, 144
Alianora, 23
Alice, 18
Aliot, 28
Alison, 18
Alpheus, 47
Altham, 230
Althamia, 230
Althea, 144
Always, 211
Alydea, 144
Amalasiontha, 60
Amelia, 92
America, 212
Americus, 212
Amery, 108, 212
Amice, 102
Aminadab, 57
Amity, 203, 209
Amor, 137
Amos, 51, 84
Anammeriah, 221
Ananias, 69, 73, 89, 185
And Charity, 227
Angel, 130, 131
Angela, 131
Anger, 155
Anketill, 101, 226
Anna, 23, 35, 48
Anna Maria, 220, 221
Anne, 23, 208
Anne-Mary, 221
Annette, 23
Annora, 23
Annot, 23, 25, 33, 82
Anot, 24
Antipas, 73, 74
Antony, 96
Aphora, 64
Aphra, 64
Aphrah, 63
Appoline, 95
Aquila, 53, 102
Araunah, 57
Arise, 194, 195
Asa, 53
Ashael, 53

Ashes, 63, 181
Assurance, 120
Atcock, 16
Atkin, 10
Atkinson, 13
Audria, 106
Austen, 43
Austin, 103
Avery, 101, 102
Avice, 108
Awdry, 93, 103
Axar, 55
Aymot, 79
Azariah, 53
Azarias, 57, 69
B
Bab, 106, 107
Badcock, 16
Baldwin, 3, 85
Baptist, 35
Barbara, 28, 107
Barbelot, 28
Barijirehah, 60
Barjonah, 57
Barnabas, 45, 205
Barrabas, 74
Bartholomew, 2, 3, 29, 34, 36, 44, 90, 92
Bartelot, 5, 29
Bartle, 5
Bartlett, 29
Barzillai, 53
Bat, 5, 6, 34, 90
Batcock, 5, 14, 16, 34
Bate, 5, 16, 85, 90
Bathsheba, 71, 110
Bathshira, 71
Bathshua, 71
Batkin, 5, 16, 77, 81
Battalion, 179
Batty, 5
Bawcock, 16
Beata, 134, 137, 138
Beatrice, 17
Beatrix, 17, 92
Beelzebub, 75
Belief, 200
Beloved, 173
Ben, 86
Benaiah, 53
Benedict, 94
Benedicta, 94, 138
Bennet, 94
Benjamin, 65
Benoni, 65
Bess, 106, 114, 116
Bessie, 114, 115
Be-steadfast, 163
Be-strong, 161
Betha, 114
Be-thankful, 161, 194
Bethia, 114
Bethsaida, 179
Bethshua, 122
Beton, 17
Betsy, 115
Bett, 114
Betty, 114, 115, 116
Beulah, 178
Bezaleel, 45
Bill, 92
Blaze, 93, 94
Boaz, 69
Bob, 6, 8
Bodkin, 10
Bonaventure, 208
Bradford, 232
Bride, 94
Brownjohn, 8
C
Cain, 54
Caleb, 52, 55, 61, 69
Canaan, 179
Cannon, 211
Caroletta, 112
Carolina, 92, 112
Carolina Wilhelmina Amelia, 92, 221
Caroline, 112
Cartwright, 230
Cassandra, 70
Catharine, 3, 36, 43, 93
Cecilia, 3, 6, 22, 28, 36, 43, 48, 51, 93, 228

Centurian, 178
Cess, 6
Cesselot, 28
Changed, 153
Charity, 67, 140, 141, 154, 199, 202, 204, 227, 234
Charity Lucanoa, 235
Charles, 112, 206
Charles Caractacus Ostorius Maximilian Gustavus Adolphus, 222
Charles James, 215, 216
Charles Maria, 218
Charles Mustava, 235
Charles Neville, 228
Charles Parish, 233
Charlotte, 112
Chatwynd, 231
Chauncey, 206, 207, 233
Cherubin, 170
Chesterton, 231
China, 211
Christ, 76
Christian, 33, 126, 199
Christiana, 199
Christian Ethiopia, 235
Christmas, 211
Christopher, 28
Christophilus, 123
Church-reform, 232
Chylde-of-God, 133
Cibell, 106
Cissot, 22
Clarice, 6
Clemence, 110
Clemency, 142
Cloe, 48
Cock, 14
Col, 34
Cole, 34, 90, 111
Colet, 102
Colin, 19, 31, 80
Colinet, 30, 31
Coll, 6
Collet, 80
Collin, 19
Colling, 16
Drewet, 26, 81
Drocock, 16
Drusilla, 73
Dudley, 231, 232
Duke, 196
Dun, 111
Dunn, 211
Dust, 63, 124
E
Earl, 197
Easter, 36, 96
Ebbot, 22
Ebed-meleck, 69, 83, 85
Ebenezer, 83
Eden, 179
Edward Alexander, 216
Edward Maria, 217
Elcock, 16
Eleanor, 24
Eleanora, 24
Eleazar, 205
Elena, 18, 24
Eleph, 53
Eliakim, 57
Elias, 2, 28, 35
Elicot, 28
Elihu, 53
Eli-lama-Sabachthani, 57
Eliot, 28
Elisha, 69
Elisot, 28
Eliza, 115, 116
Elizabeth, 113, 116
Elizabeth Christabell, 234
Elizabeth Mary, 220
Elizar, 102
Elkanah, 84
Ellice, 29, 101
Ellicot, 29
Elliot, 28
Ellis, 28, 29, 35
Ellisot, 29
Elnathan, 56, 205
Emanuel, 76, 130, 131, 183
Emery, 108
Emm, 5, 220

Emma, 3, 21, 29, 48, 51, 78, 79, 81
Emmett, 21
Emmot, 5, 8, 21, 27, 29, 78, 79
Emmotson, 21
Emperor, 212
Enecha, 69
Enoch, 69
Enot, 24
Epaphroditus, 69, 85
Epenetus, 57, 69
Ephin, 98
Ephraim, 69, 85
Epiphany, 36, 97
Er, 53
Erasmus, 134
Erastus, 53, 57
Esaias, 69, 72
Esau, 69
Esaye, 102
Essex, 230
Esther, 49, 96
EugÉnie, 236
Eunice, 53
Euodias, 56
Eve, 24, 35
Evett, 35
Evot, 24
Evott, 35
Experience, 147, 148, 199, 203, 209
Ezechell, 69
Ezeckiell, 45
Ezekias, 102
Ezekiel, 72, 85, 88
Ezekyell, 46
Ezot, 113
Ezota, 113
F
Faint-not, 124, 158, 159, 194, 211
Faith, 67, 140, 141, 147, 154, 201, 204, 227
Faithful, 154, 199, 211
Faith-my-joy, 126
Fannasibilla, 223
Fare-well, 165, 166
Fauconnet, 31
Fawcett, 81
Fear, 203
Fear-God, 156, 157, 162
Fearing, 209
Fear-not, 122, 159
Fear-the-Lord, 190
Feleaman, 69
Felicity, 149
Fick, 19
Ficken, 19
Figg, 19
Figgess, 19
Figgin, 19
Figgins, 19
Figgs, 19
Fight-the-good-fight-of-faith, 180, 184, 194
Flie-fornication, 176, 194, 200
Forsaken, 176
Fortune, 176, 210
Francis, 75
Francis-Gunsby, 225
Frank, 106, 110
Free-gift, 166, 167, 193
Free-grace, 209
Free-man, 177, 178
Frideswide, 101
Friend, 211
From-above, 124, 167
Fulk, 100, 103
Fulke, 31
G
Gabriel, 131, 140, 183
Gamaliel, 57, 69
Gavin, 100
Gawain, 100
Gawen, 100
Gawin, 50, 100
Gawyn, 33, 103
Geoffrey, 44
George, 11, 111, 113
George William Frederic, 221
Georgi-Anna, 224

Georgina, 92
Gercyon, 69
Gershom, 39, 57, 69
Gersome, 101
Gertrude, 110
Gervase, 101
Gib, 25
Gibb, 6
Gibbet, 25
Gibbin, 19
Gibbing, 19
Gibbon, 19
Gilbert, 25
Gill, 22, 104
Gillian, 3, 22
Gillot, 22
Gillotyne, 32
Gilpin, 19
Given, 137, 209
Give-thanks, 161
Goddard, 101
Godgivu, 2
God-help, 175
Godly, 152, 153
Godric, 2
Goliath, 72
Good-gift, 167
Good-work, 200
Grace, 126, 140, 144, 147, 154, 200, 204
Graceless, 200
Gracious, 153, 172
Grigg, 6
Grissel, 106
Grizill, 103
Guion, 26
Guiot, 26
Guillotin, 32
Gulielma Maria, 218
Gulielma Maria Posthuma, 218
Guy, 3, 26, 51, 80
Gyllian, 103
H
Habakkuk, 56
Hadassah, 49
Hal, 26
Halkin, 11
Hallet, 26
Hamelot, 27
Hameth, 53
Hamilton, 79
Hamlet, 8, 26, 27, 29, 78, 79, 101
Hammett, 101
Hamnet, 26, 27, 29
Hamon, 26, 29, 78
Hamond, 26, 29, 78, 79
Hamonet, 27
Hamynet, 33
Han-cock, 10, 16
Handcock, 16
Handforth, 231
Handmaid, 178, 195
Hankin, 10, 11, 82
Hanna, 35
Hannah, 47, 49, 144
Hanover, 232
Harbotles Harte, 234
Hariph, 53
Harriet, 26
Harriot, 26
Harry, 88, 90, 92, 109
Hate-bad, 200, 211
Hate-evil, 119, 163, 210, 211
Hatill, 163
Have-

103, 106
Jannet, 31
Jannetin, 31
Janniting, 31
Jannotin, 31
Japhet, 195
Jeduthan, 53
Jeffcock, 14, 16, 81
Jeffkin, 10
Jehoiada, 53

Jehostiaphat, 85
Jenkin, 8, 11, 33
Jenkinson, 13
Jenks, 13
Jennin, 19
Jenning, 8, 19
Jeremiah, 63, 88, 90
Jeremy, 63, 69, 72, 88
Jermyna, 230
Jerry, 91
Jesus-Christ-came-into-the-world-to-save, 156
Jethro, 101
Jill, 2, 22, 104
Joab, 53
Joan, 103, 106
Joane Dennis, 234
Joane Yorkkoope, 224
Job, 69, 84, 126
Job-rakt-out-of-the-asshes, 181, 184
Joel, 51
Jockaminshaw, 223, 224
John, 2, 3, 7, 35, 36, 110, 111, 112, 126, 197, 208, 215, 226
Johnamaria, 223
John Christopher Burton, 222
John City Hall, 235
Johncock, 16
John Posthumus, 219
John Wearmouth, 235
Jolly, 211
Jonadab, 69
Jonathan, 69, 206
Jordan, 11, 35, 37
Jordanson, 35
Joseph, 35
Joshua, 69
Joskin, 35
Jowett, 22
Joy-againe, 124
Joyce, 67, 103, 107, 114
Joye, 205
Joy-in-sorrow, 174
Juckes, 13
Juckin, 11
Judas, 36
Judas-not-Iscariot, 74
Judd, 6, 11, 35
Jude, 110
Judith, 35, 48, 49
Judkin, 11, 35
Judson, 35
Jukes, 13
Julian, 22
Juliana, 104
Juliet, 22
Junior, 197
Just, 204
Justice, 142
K
Kate, 92, 105, 106
Katherine Whitefryers, 234
Kelita, 53
Kenburrow, 231
Kerenhappuch, 56
Keturah, 57
Keziah, 57
Kit, 86, 87
Knowledge, 199
L
LÆtitia, 92, 108
Lais, 70, 71
Lambert, 31
Lamberton, 20
Lambin, 20, 81
Lambinet, 31
Lambkin, 10
Lamblin, 20
Lament, 163, 164, 176
Lamentation, 174, 187
Lamentations, 63
Lamin, 20
Laming, 20
Lammin, 20
Lamming, 20
Lampin, 20
Lampkin, 10
Larkin, 6, 10
Lawrence, 233
Laycock, 15

Leah, 47, 66, 69
Learn-wisdom, 119
Learn-wysdome, 163
Lemon, 211
Lemuel, 53
Lesot, 23
Lettice, 23, 48, 108
Life, 209
Lina, 24
Linot, 24
Little, 197
Littlejohn, 8
Live-loose, 200
Lively, 153
Live-well, 164, 200
Living, 170
Louisa, 92
Love, 137, 141, 203
Love-God, 164, 165, 200
Love-lust, 200
Love Venus, 70
Love-well, 165
Luccock, 15
M
Mab, 22
Mabbott, 22
Mabel, 22
Madge, 33, 82
Magdalen, 126
Magnify, 161
Magot, 23
Mahaliel, 57
Mahershalalhashbaz, 41, 58, 120
Major, 196
Makin, 12
Makinson, 12
Malachi, 52, 53, 69
Malkin, 9, 11, 12
Malkynson, 12
Mallet, 230
Manasseh, 40, 203
Margaret, 3, 22
Margaret Jacobina, 232
Margerie, 25, 106
Margett, 22
Margotin, 31
Margott, 23
Maria, 92, 215, 217, 220 223
Marian, 19, 227
Maria Posthuma, 219
Marion, 18, 24
Mariot, 24
Mariotin, 32
Marioton, 31
Mark Lane, 233
Marshall, 197
Martha, 47
Mary, 12, 24, 105, 113, 218, 220
Mary Ann, 220, 227
Mary Given, 137
Mary Josephina Antonietta, 222
Mary Porch, 234
Mat, 95, 110
Matathias, 100
Mathea, 95
Matilda, 3, 21, 48, 81, 106
Matthew, 13, 36, 92
Maud, 12, 48
Maurice, 101
Maycock, 13, 16
Meacock, 13
Meakin, 12
Mehetabell, 66
Melchisedek, 56, 83, 85, 101
Melior, 138
Mephibosheth, 85
Mercy, 110, 142, 154, 199, 209
Meshach, 53, 63
Michael, 131, 183
Michalaliel, 60
Micklejohn, 8
Milcom, 74
Miles, 44, 51
Miracle, 178
Mocock, 15
Mokock, 15
Moll, 106, 111
Mordecai, 57, 63
Mordecay, 69
More-fruite, 124, 167, 168, 194
Morrice, 101
Moses Dunstan, 234
Much-mercy, 122, 170, 194
Mun, 111

Mycock, 16
My-sake, 178
N
Nab, 89, 90
Nan, 92, 104, 105, 111
Nancy, 105, 106
Naphtali, 53
Nat, 91, 206
Nathaniel, 69, 78, 90, 119, 126, 205, 206
Natkin, 78
Nazareth, 179
Ned, 111
Nehemiah, 119, 120
Nell, 106
Neptune,
Posthumus, 45, 215, 217, 218, 219
Potkin, 11
Praise-God, 119, 156, 157, 158
Presela, 126
Preserved, 173, 210
Prince, 197
Pris, 91
Priscilla, 47, 48, 90, 126
Properjohn, 8
Providence, 178
Pru, 142, 145
Prudence, 129, 142, 145, 155, 199, 202, 209
Prudentia, 92, 142
Purifie, 125
Purkiss, 13
Q
Quod-vult-Deus, 135
R
Rachel, 66, 67, 69, 141
Ralph, 20, 37, 85, 111
Ramoth-Gilead, 54
Raoul, 20
Raoulin, 20
Rawlings, 20
Rawlins, 20
Rawlinson, 20
Rebecca, 45, 51, 66
Redeemed, 136, 193
Redemptus, 136
Rediviva, 136
Reformation, 179
Refrayne, 162
Rejoice, 147, 160, 161, 209
Rejoyce, 122
Reliance, 209
Relictus, 137
Remember, 203, 209
Remembrance, 204
Renata, 136
Renatus, 134, 136
Renewed, 121, 136, 194
Renold Falcon, 234
Renovata, 134, 136
Repent, 153, 162, 175
Repentance, 45, 150, 151, 153, 176, 194
Replenish, 168
Resolved, 203
Restore, 175, 193
Restraint, 187
Returne, 162, 194
Revelation, 191
Revolt, 203
Richard, 3, 28, 37, 44, 46, 103, 110, 119, 131, 184, 195, 205
Richelot, 28
Riches, 177, 210
River, 211
Robelot, 28
Robert, 3, 28, 37, 44, 52, 110, 211, 228
Robbin, 19
Robin, 19, 33
Robinet, 30
Robing, 19
Robinson, 197
Roger, 3, 37, 52, 90, 119
Roger Middlesex, 234
Roger Peeter, 234

Rum John Pritchard, 235
Rutterkin, 10
S
Sabbath, 179
Safe-deliverance, 131, 169
Safe-on-high, 121, 174, 194, 200
Salt, 211
Sampson, 35
Samuel, 205
Sancho, 130
Sander, 15
Sandercock, 15
Sapphira, 73
Sara, 35, 45, 66
Sarah, 51, 205
Saturday, 180
Sea-born, 208
Sea-mercy, 208
Search-the-Scriptures, 200, 210
Search-truth, 200
See-truth, 200
Sehon, 74
Selah, 57, 178
Senchia, 130
Sense, 129, 130
Seraphim, 170
Seth, 69, 102
Seuce, 129
Shadrach, 53, 63
Shadrack, 57
Shallum, 53, 56
Shelah, 53
Shorter, 197
Sib, 92, 105, 106
Sibb, 106
Sibby, 106
Sibilla, 24
Sibot, 24
Sibyl, 105
Sidney, 207
Silcock, 16
Silence, 11, 145, 147, 200
Silkin, 11
Sill, 11, 111, 145, 146
Sim, 6, 33, 82
Simcock, 14, 15
Simkin, 11
Simon, 2, 3, 36, 43, 45, 92, 111
Simpkinson, 13
Sincere, 199
Sin-denie, 122
Sin-deny, 162
Sir Isaac, 197, 227
Sir Robert, 197, 227
Sirs, 54
Sis, 92, 93, 105
Sissot, 22, 81
Something, 211
Sophia, 92, 144, 221
Sorry-for-sin, 122, 153
Sou’wester, 207
Squire, 196
Standfast, 199, 209
Stand-fast-on-high, 174
Stedfast, 121
Stepkin, 10
Sterling, 211
Steward, 230
Subpena, 137
Sudden, 212
Supply, 209
Susan, 48, 49, 106, 129
Susanna, 35
Susey, 129
Sybil, 11, 145
Sydney, 207, 231, 232, 233
Syssot, 22
T
Tabitha, 47, 119
Tace, 146, 147
Tacey, 147
Talitha-Cumi, 57
Talkative, 200
Tamar, 71, 72, 75, 76
Tamaris, 47
Tamsin, 109
Tamson, 108
Tamworth, 230
Tankerville, 230
Tebbutt, 26
Tellno, 54

Temperance, 129, 142, 143, 144, 145, 204, 209
Tetsy, 115
Tetty, 115
Thank, 109
Thankful, 123, 171, 172, 173, 200
Thanks, 171, 172
Theobald, 25, 36, 43
Theobalda, 43
Theophania, 97
Theophilus, 69, 126
Tholy, 5
Thomas, 2, 3, 26, 34, 36, 75, 108, 203, 215
Thomas Barkin, 233
Thomasena, 109
Thomaset, 26
Thomas Fulton, 235
Thomas Hill Joseph Napoleon Horatio Bonaparte Swindlehurst Nelson, 222
Thomasin, 109
Thomasine, 108, 110
Thomas Maria, 215
Thomas Posthumus, 215, 219
Thomazin, 109
Thomesin, 109
Thurstan, 102
Thurston, 50
Tib, 6, 25, 43, 104, 86

Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Limited, London and Beccles.

Footnotes:

[1] This is easily proved. In the wardrobe accounts for Edward IV., 1480, occur the following items:—

Shapster is a feminine form of Shapper or Shaper—one who shaped or cut out cloths for garments. All these several individuals, having no particular surname, took or received one from the occupation they temporarily followed.—“Privy Purse Expenses, Eliz. of York,” p. 122.

[2] Any number of such instances might be recorded. Mr. W. C. Leighton, in Notes and Queries, February 23, 1861, notices a deed dated 1347, wherein two John de Leightons, brothers, occur. Mr. Waters, in his interesting pamphlet, “Parish Registers” (p. 30), says that Protector Somerset had three sons christened Edward, born respectively 1529, 1539, and 1548. All were living at the same time. He adds that John Leland, the antiquary, had a brother John, and that John White, Bishop of Winchester 1556-1560, was brother to Sir John White, Knight, Lord Mayor in 1563.

[3] “I also give to the said Robert ... that land which Hobbekin de Bothum held of me.”—Ext. deed of Sir Robert de Stokeport, Knight, 1189-1199: Earwaker’s “East Cheshire,” p. 334.

[4] I have seen Stepkin as a surname but once. Lieutenant Charles Stepkin served under the Duke of Northumberland, in 1640.—Peacock’s “Army List of Roundheads and Cavaliers,” p. 78.

[5] Adekyn was the simple and only title of the harper to Prince Edward in 1306, who attended the cour pleniÈre held by King Edward at the feast of Whitsuntide at Westminster.—Chappell, “Popular Music of ye Olden Time,” p. 29.

[6] Sill was the nick form of Sybil and Silas till the seventeenth century, when the Puritan Silence seized it. I have only seen one instance of the surname, “John Silkin” being set down as dwelling in Tattenhall, Cheshire, in 1531 (Earwaker’s “East Cheshire,” p. 56).

[7] Nevertheless the surname did exist in Yorkshire in Richard II.’s reign:

[8] I need not quote, in proof of the popularity of kin, our surnames of Simpkinson, Hopkins, Dickens, Dickenson, Watkins, Hawkins, Jenkinson, Atkinson, and the rest. I merely mention that the patronymics ending in kins got abbreviated into kiss, and kes, and ks. Hence the origin of our Perkes, Purkiss, Hawkes, and Hawks, Dawks, Jenks, Juckes, and Jukes (Judkins).

[9] In this class we must assuredly place Figgins. In the Hundred Rolls appears “Ralph, son of Fulchon.” Here, of course, is the diminutive of the once common Fulke. Fick and Figg were the nick forms:

The London Directory has all the forms and corruptions as surnames, including Fick, Ficken, Figg, Figgs, Figgess, and Figgins.

[10] Guion was not half so popular in England as Guiot. There are fifty-five Wyatts to three Wyons in the London Directory (1870). If Spenser had written of Guyon two centuries earlier, this might have been altered. Guy Fawkes ruined Guy. He can never be so popular again.

[11] Cornwall would naturally be last to be touched by the Reformation. Hence these old forms were still used to the close of Elizabeth’s reign, as for instance:

[12] This connection of Scripture name with present circumstance ran out its full period. In the diary of Samuel Jeake, a well-known Puritan of Rye, occurs this reference to his son, born August 13, 1688: “At 49 minutes past 11 p.m. exactly (allowing 10' that the sun sets at Rye before he comes to the level of the horizon, for the watch was set by the sun-setting), my wife was safely delivered of a son, whom I named Manasseh, hoping that God had now made me forget all my toils.”—“History of Town and Port of Rye,” p. 576. Manasseh = forgetfulness.

A bishop may be instanced. Aylmer, who succeeded Sandys in the see of London, was for many years a favourer of Puritanism, and had been one of the exiles. His sixth son was Tobel (i.e. God is good), of Writtle, in Essex. Archbishop Whitgift was his godfather, and the reason for his singular appellation was his mother’s being overturned in a coach without injury when she was pregnant (Cooper’s “Ath. Cant.” ii. 172).

Again: “At Dr. Whitaker’s death, his wife is described as being ‘partui vicina,’ and a week afterwards her child was christened by the name of Jabez, doubtless for the scriptural reason ‘because, she said, I bare him with sorrow.’”—Cooper’s “Ath. Cant.” ii. 197.

[13] Esther’s other name of Hadassah had a share of favour. So late as William and Mary’s reign we find the name in use:

[14] In the Lancashire “Church Surveys,” 1649-1655, being the first volume of the Lancashire and Cheshire Record Society’s publications, edited by Colonel Fishwick, occur Thurston Brown, Thurston Brere, Thurston Brich, on one single page of the index.

[15] To tell a lie is to tell a lee in Lancashire.

[16] Several names seem to have been taken directly from the Hebrew tongue. “Amalasioutha” occurs as a baptismal name in the will of a man named Corbye, 1594 (Rochester Wills); Barijirehah in that of J. Allen, 1651, and Michalaliel among the Pilgrim Fathers (Hotten).

[17] Colonel Cunningham, in his annotations of the “Alchemist,” says, speaking of the New Englanders bearing the Puritan prejudices with them: “So deeply was it rooted, that in the rebellion of the colonies a member of that State seriously proposed to Congress the putting down of the English language by law, and decreeing the universal adoption of the Hebrew in its stead.”—Vol. ii. p. 33, Jonson’s Works.

[18] The following entry is a curiosity:

[19] Even Nathaniel may have been a pre-Reformation name, for Grumio says, “Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop, and the rest; let their heads be sleekly combed” (“Taming of the Shrew,” Act iv. sc. 1.), where he is manifestly using the old names.

[20] Zachary was the then form of Zachariah, as Jeremy of Jeremiah. Neither is a nickname.

[21] The story of Cain and Abel would be popularized in the “mysteries.” Abelot was a favourite early pet form (vide “English Surnames,” index; also p. 82).

[22] “Jan, 1537. Item: payed to Blaze for brawdering a payre of sleves for my lady’s grace, xx^s.”—“Privy Purse Expenses, Princess Mary.”

[23] Philip is found just as frequently for girls as boys:

[24] In the Oxford edition, 1859, is a foot-note: “Appoline was the usual name in England, as Appoline in France, for Apollonia, a martyr at Alexandria, who, among other tortures, had all her teeth beaten out.”

[25] Mr. Beesley, in his “History of Banbury” (p. 456), curiously enough speaks of this Epiphany as a Puritan example. I need not say that a Banbury zealot would have as soon gone to the block as impose such a title on his child.

[26] Gawain, Gawen, or Gavin lingered till last century in Cumberland and the Furrness district. The surname of Gunson in the same parts shows that “Gun” was a popular form. Hence, in the Hundred Rolls, Matilda fil. Gunne or Eustace Gunnson. The London Directory forms are Gowan, Gowen, and Gowing:

[27] A good instance of the position in society of Jane and Joan is seen in Rowley’s “A Woman never Vexed,” where, in the dramatis personÆ, Jane is daughter to the London Alderman, and Joan servant-wench to the Widow. The play was written about 1630.

[28] There seems to have been some difficulty in forming the feminines of Charles, all of which are modern. Charlotte was known in England before the queen of George III. made it popular, through the brave Charlet la TrÉmouille, Lady Derby; but it was rarely used:

Carolina, Englished into Caroline, became for a while the favourite, but Charlotte ran away with the honours after the beloved princess of that name died.

[29] Bethia still lingers in certain families, but its origin has manifestly been forgotten. In Notes and Queries, February 23, 1861, Mr. W. A. Leighton deems the name an incorrect version of the scriptural Bithiah (1 Chron. iv. 18); while “G.,” writing March 9, 1861, evidently agrees with this conclusion, for after saying that his aunt, a sister, and two cousins bear it, he adds, “They spell it Bethia and Bathia, instead of Bithiah, which is the accurate form”! Miss Yonge also is at fault: “The old name of Bethia, to be found in various English families, probably came from an ancestral Beth on either Welsh, Scots, or Irish sides.” She makes it Keltic.

The latest instance of Bethia I have seen is the following, on a mural tablet in Kirkthorpe Church, York:—

[30] “But the ridicule which falls on this mode of naming children belongs not to these times only, for the practice was in use long before.”—Harris, “Life of Oliver Cromwell,” p. 342.

[31] This child was buried a few days later. From the name given the father seems to have expected the event.

[32] From 1585 to 1600, that is, in fifteen years, Warbleton register records more than a hundred examples of eccentric Puritanism.

[33] This name crept into Yorkshire after Accepted Frewen became archbishop. “Thornton Church is a little episcopal chapel-of-ease, rich in Nonconformist monuments, as of Accepted Lister, and his friend Dr. Hale.”—Mrs. Gaskell’s “Charlotte BrontË,” p. 37.

[34] Faith-my-joy was buried June 12, 1602. While the name was Puritan in the sense that it would never have been given but for the zealots, it was merely a translation of the Purefoy motto, “Pure Foi ma Joi.” Antony turned it into a spiritual allusion.

[35] “On Jan. 28, 17 James I., William Foster ... together with Sir Henry Burton, Susan Mowne, and James Bynde, and Sanctia or Sence his wife, joined in conveying to Robert Raunce and Edward Thurland ... a house and land in Carshalton on trust to sell.”—“Bray’s Surrey,” ii. 513.

[36] Erasmus became a popular baptismal name, and still exists:

[37] “April 6, 1879, at St. Peter’s Thanet, entered into rest, Mary Given Clarke, aged 71 years.”—Church Times, April 10, 1879.

[38] The following is curious, although it does not properly belong to this class:

[39] Melior was a favourite:—

[40] “1661, Sep. 6. Baptized Faith Dionis, Charity Dionis, Grace Dionis, three foundlings.”—St. Dionis, Backchurch.

The Manchester Evening Mail, March 22, 1878, says, “At Stanton, near Ipswich, three girls, having been born at one birth, were baptized Faith, Hope, and Charity.”

[41] Constance had been an old English favourite, its nick and pet forms being Cust, or Custance, or Cussot (vide “English Surnames,” p. 67, 2nd edition). The Puritan dropped these, but adopted “Constant” and “Constancy.” The more worldly, in the mean time, curtailed it to “Con.”

[42] Sophia did not come into England for a century after this. But, while speaking of Greek names, the most popular was Philadelphia:

Whether Penn styled the city he founded after the Church mentioned in the Apocalypse, or after a friend or kinswoman, or because, interpreted, it was a Quaker sentiment, I cannot say. But Philadelphia, in James I.’s reign, had become such a favourite that I have before me over a hundred instances, after no very careful research. None was needed; it appears in every register, and lingered on into the present century.

[43] “1658. Mr. Charles Beswicke, minister of the parish ch. of Stockport, and Sylance Symonds, d. of Mr. Robert Symonds, of Daubever, co. Derby, published March 28, April 4 and 11, 1658.”—Banns, Parish Church, Stockport.

This Silence was either mother or grandmother to Silence Thyer, but I am not sure which is the relationship. If grandmother, then there must have been three generations of “Silences.”

[44] “I myself have known some persons in London, and other parts of this kingdom, who have been christened by the names of Faith, Hope, Charity, Mercy, Grace, Obedience, Endure, Rejoice, etc.”—Brome’s “Travels in England,” p. 279.

[45] Repentance lingered longer than I thought. In the churchyard of Mappowder, Dorset, is a tombstone to the memory of “Repentance, wife of,” etc. She died within the last twenty years. There is no doubt that these names found their latest home in Devon and Dorset. The names in Mr. Blackmore’s novels corroborate this.

[46] This is another case of a Puritan name that got into high society. Accepted Frewen died an archbishop; Humble Ward became first Baron Ward. His daughter Theodosia married Sir Thomas Brereton, Bart.

[47] “Faithful Teate was minister at Sudbury, Suffolk, at the time Richard Sibbes, who was born close by, was growing up.”—Sibbes’ Works, 1. xxvi. Nichol, 1862.

[48] Antony À Wood says Robert Abbott, minister at Cranbrook, Kent, published a quarto sermon in 1626, entitled “Be-thankful London and her Sisters.” When we remember that Warbleton in 1626 had at least a dozen Be-Thankfuls among its inhabitants, and that Cranbrook was within walking distance, we see where the title of this discourse was got.

[49] Live-well Chapman was a Fifth Monarchy man. There is still extant a pamphlet headed “A Declaration of several of the Churches of Christ, and Godly People, in and about the City of London, concerning the Kingly Interest of Christ, and the Present Sufferings of His Cause, and Saints in England. Printed for Live-well Chapman, 1654.”

[50] These two were twins:

[51] This, no doubt, will be a relative of the well-known Puritan, Comfort Starr, born in the adjacent hamlet of Ashford.

[52] A tablet in Northiam Church says—

A flat stone in the chancel commemorates the second Thankful:

[53] We have already seen that Stephen Vynall had a daughter baptized No-merit at Warbleton, September 28, 1589. Heley’s influence followed him to Isfield, as this entry proves.

[54] “1723.—Welthiana Bryan.”—Nicholl’s “Coll. Top. et Gen.,” iii. 250.

[55] Pleasant lasted for some time:

[56] A dozen Freemans may be seen within the limits of half that number of pages in the Finchley registers. Here is one:

[57] That is, he held him crosswise in his arms.

[58] “And here was ‘Bartholomew Fayre’ acted to-day, which had not been these forty years, it being so satyricall against Puritanism, they durst not till now.”—Pepys, Sept. 7, 1661.

[59] That some changed their names for titles of more godly import need not be doubted. William Jenkin says, “I deny not, but in some cases it may be lawfull to change our names, or forbear to mention them, either by tongue or pen: but then we should not be put upon such straits by the badnesse of our actions (as the most are) which we are ashamed to own, but by the consideration of God’s glory, or the Churches good, or our own necessary preservation in time of persecution.”—“Exposition of Jude,” 1652, p. 7.

[60] A child was baptized, January 10, 1880, in the parish church of Stone, near Dartford, by the name of Sou’wester. He was named after an uncle who was born at sea in a south-westerly gale, who received the same name (Notes and Queries, February 7, 1880).

[61] We have already recorded Hate-evil as existing in the Banbury Church register.

[62] The practice of hyphening names, as a condition of accepting property, etc., is of recent origin. By this means not a double baptismal, but a double patronymic, name is formed. But though manifestly increasing, the number of such double surnames is not yet a large one.

[63] “At Faversham a tradesman in 1847 had a son baptized Church-reform, and wished for another, to style him No-tithes, but wished in vain.”—P. S. in Notes and Queries, February 3, 1866.

[64] Sometimes, however, one was deemed enough, as, for instance, “Charitye, daughter of the Lord knows who!” This is from Youlgreave, Derbyshire, but the correspondent of Notes and Queries does not give the date.