The next observation is, that, in regard to the difference of orthography, some persons writing Surname, and others Sirname, they are both right, though not in the same respect. I shall explain this in few words: those who write the term Surname, allege, and they have reason, that this form, from the French Surnome, must be the true orthography; because this distinguishing name, which became perfectly necessary after the use of Scripture Christian names was introduced, and there were many Johns and Thomas's in the same place, was originally written over the Christian name, or added to it; either of which well justifies the sense of the prefix, Sur; and for this custom they vouch many instances from old rolls and records. Others, however, are equally right in giving it Sirname, or Sirename; because this so well expresses the nature of the thing, wherever the appellation comes from the name of the Sire or ancestor, with Fitz or Son understood. Both, therefore, are proper, but upon different considerations. But you will say, are we, in writing correctly, to be always at the trouble of recollecting the original, and the nature of the name, when we are to express this addition, and to be perpetually considering whether we ought to write Sirname or Surname? I answer, there will be no occasion for this, gentlemen being at liberty to use which they please, since it will be always understood what it is they mean. Besides, that figure which we call Catachresis, or an abuse of words, is readily admitted in all languages, and, in this case, is not only pardonable, but even reasonable. I shall add, thirdly, that many of the Sirnames, which I shall produce, appearing very odd and singular, those gentlemen that bear them, and have not thought upon the subject, will not be displeased, I flatter myself, to see these appendages, so intimately united to themselves and their own persons, clearly decyphered, and, as it is hoped, in such manner, as may both gratify their curiosity and procure their amusement. And whoever, fourthly, will please to recollect what pains have been taken by Sigonius, Salmasius, Rosinus, and others, in regard to the Roman names, will incline to think, that no apology need be made for our producing the assemblage comprized in the following alphabet to the public; especially when it is remembered, that many Roman Sirnames, as we may style them, were formed, as the antiquaries tell us, from their prænomina, as is exactly the case here; and that Mr. Camden, in his Remains, has actually omitted this large tribe of English Sirnames. I add, lastly, that, in names that are not very obvious, (1 speak

of Christian names) I shall produce examples, leaving the more common ones to approve themselves; and, as to the Sirnames, gentlemen will easily recollect families amongst their acquaintance of such names: and I make no question that there are many more cases of the kind than I shall mention, it being not in the least pretended, that the catalogue I propose to give, though tolerably large, is by any means complete.

1772, June.

T. Row.

§ 3. List of Sirnames, with their Origin.

MR. URBAN,

THE alphabet I promised in your last number, and there referred to, goes as follows:

Amsel. Anselm, Abp. of Can Bernard and Barnard. St.

terb.

Austin. Augustinus.
Allen. Alein, Chron. Sax.
Alanus, Earl of Bretagne.
Awbrey. Alberic, fam. of
Vere, Earl of Oxford.
Avery. The same.
Amory, or Emery. Hamalri.
Chron. Sax. Almericus, or
Almaricus, or Emericus.
Arnold.

Common.
Avis and Avice. Avisia, Haw-
isa, and Hawisia, names
of women.
Anstis. Anastatius, Anastatia,
Anstase.

Ayscough, or Askew. Ascul-
phus.
Alphey, Alphege, Abp. of
Canterb. Alpheg. Domes-
day.

Adelur. Domesday-book.
Ancher. Ealchere, Chron.
Sax. and Domesday.
Anger. Ansger. Domesday.
Bright. Briht, Chron. Sax.
Bran. Chron. Sax.
Baynard. Chron. Sax.

Bernard.
Bely. British.

Bennet. i. e. Benedict.
Brandon. Brendanus.
Baldwin. Abp. of Cant.
Bartram. Bertran, or Bert-
rand.

Brian. Chron. Sax.
Bardolph, A. Wood, Hist. p.
88, Domesday.
Bevis. Bogo in Latin. Bevis,
of Southampton.
Blanch, or Blanc. Common

name.

Blase. Bp. Blase.
Bagot. Domesday-book.
Baldric. Baldericus, Domes-
day.
Belcher, Beecher. Belchard,
Domesday.

Berenger. Berengarius, a wri-
ter of the 11th century.
Berner. Bernerius, Domes-
day.

Bise. Biso, Domesday.
Blethin. British.

Chown. Chun, British.
Cuthbert. Saint at Durham.

Muriel, woman's 'name.
Miles. Milo, common.
Maud, and Mawd. Matilda,

woman's name.
Mallet. Chron. Sax.
Mabel. Mabilia, Mabella, or
Amabilia.

Mauger. Malgerius, Rapin, I.
p. 165.

Madocks, or Madox. Madoc,
Brit.
Morgan. Brit.

Macy, or Massy. Domesday.
Maino. Domesday,
Maynard. Domesday, Cam-
den, p. 73.
Murdac. Domesday.
Murfin. v. Merfin.
Neale, Negullus, bp. of Ely.
Niel, Chron. Sax.
Noel. Natalis. Camden, p.
128. thinks it may be from
the time when born.
Norman. Chron. Sax. In-
gulph. p. 10. Dugd. Bar.
I. p. 8.
Otwell. Ottuel, Chron. Sax.
Omer. Eomer, Chron. Sax.
Audomarus, a Saint.
Orson. Urso, Domesday,
Dugd. Mon. III. p. 261.
Urse, whence Fitz-Urse.
Otes. Otho, or Odo, v. Hode.
Ottey, a nick-name from Odo,
or Eudo, v. Hode.
Oswald. A saint.
Owen, Brit. Audoenus
Eugenius.

or

Osborne. Rapin, I. p. 168.
Osbern, Chron. Sax.
Oger. Domesday.
Olave, the Saint, and in
Domesday.
Orme. Domesday.
Other. Ohter, Chron. Sax.
Ougthred. v. Uctred.

York.
Picotte. Domesday.
Pipard. Domesday.
Pontz, or Poyntz. Domesday.
Puntz. v. Pontz.

Pritchard. Brit. ap Richard.
Price. Brit. ap Rice.
Pugh. Brit. ap Hugh.
Powel. Brit. ap Hoel, or
Howel.

St. Quintin. Quintinus, the
Saint.
Rothery. Rodericus.
Rudd. Rhudd, Brit.
Rolle. Raoule, the French of
Radulph, Ralph, Raulf, and
Ralf.
Ralph. v. Rolle.
Reynard and Rainer, Domes-
day. Reynardus, Camden,
p. 73.
Reynold. Sax. Regnold, and
Regenold, &c.
Rose, woman's name.
Randal and Randolph, com-

mon Christian names.
Raymond, Earls of Provence.
Remy. Remige, Remy, from
Remigius, a Saint.
Rolf. Domesday.