EPILOGUE.
Reading edition
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, Mch. 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, Kt.”
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, Mch. 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 22d 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, Mch. 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, 19 Collinge, 19 Comfort, 149, 167, 204, 209 Con, 110, 143, 145 Confidence, 149 Consider, 209, 210 Constance, 143 Constancy, 142, 143 Constant, 121, 143, 193, 204 Continent, 123, 200 Cornelius, 69 Cotton, 205 Cranmer, 232 Creatura Christi, 133 Creature, 132, 133 Cressens, 57 Crestolot, 28 Cuss, 23 Cussot, 23, 143 Cust, 23, 143 Custance, 23, 143 D Dalilah, 57 Damaris, 47, 48, 91 Dameris, 47, 48 Dammeris, 47 Dammy, 91 Dampris, 47 Damris, 47 Dancell-Dallphebo-Marke-Antony-Dallery-Gallery-Cesar, 182 Daniel, 35, 72 Dankin, 35 Dannet, 35 Darcas, 48 David, 6 Daw, 6 Dawkin, 10 Dawks, 13 Dean, 197 Deb, 83, 91 Deborah, 51, 66, 83, 90 Deccon, 20 Degory, 101 Deliverance, 169, 170, 209 Delivery, 169 Dennis, 103, 234 Dennis Philpot, 235 Deodat, 209 Deodatus, 137 Deonata, 137 Depend, 162 Dependance, 209 Desiderata, 137, 202 Desiderius, 137 Desire, 137, 202, 209 Diccon, 19, 82 Dicconson, 20 Dick, 8, 90, 92, 109, 111 Dickens, 13, 20 Dickenson, 13, 20 Dickin, 10, 20 Die-well, 165 Diffidence, 200 Diggon, 20 Digory, 101 Diligence, 148 Dinah, 71, 72, 75, 76 Dionisia, 20, 23 Dionys, 234 Diot, 23 Discipline, 179 Discretion, 199 Dobbin, 19 Dobinet, 30, 33, 82 Do-good, 165, 200 Dogory, 101 Doll, 92, 105, 106, 107, 111 Dolly, 107, 109 Donate, 137 Donation, 209 Donatus, 134, 137 Dora, 107 Dorcas, 47, 48, 61, 119 Do-right, 200 Dorothea, 92, 107 Dorothy, 43, 48, 107 Douce, 22, 107 Doucet, 81 Douglas, 230 Dowcett, 22 Do-well, 165 Dowsabel, 107 Dowse, 107 Dowsett, 22 Drew, 26, 100, 102 Drewcock, 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-mercie, 175 Hawkes, 13 Hawkin, 11 Hawkins, 13 Hawks, 13 Heacock, 16 Heavenly-mind, 200 Heber, 53 Helpless, 175 Help-on-high, 160, 174, 181, 189 Henrietta Maria, 215, 216, 218 Henry, 3, 26, 44, 126 Henry Frederick, 215, 217 Henry Postumus, 219 Hephzibah, 53 Hercules, 70 Hester, 35, 48 Hew, 26 Hewet, 26, 81 Hewlett, 28 Hick, 6, 85 Hickin, 35 Higg, 26 Higget, 35 Higgin, 19, 35, 82 Higgot, 26, 35 Hillary, 94 Hiscock, 16 Hitch-cock, 16 Hobb, 6 Hobelot, 28 Hodge, 82, 85, 90 Hold-the-world, 200 Honest, 199 Honora, 92, 145 Honour, 139, 142, 145 Hope, 140, 147, 154, 202, 209, 227 Hopeful, 125, 159, 199 Hope-on-high, 189 Hope-still, 159, 160, 204, 209 Hope-well, 160 Hopkin, 10 Hopkins, 13 Howe-Lee, 225 Hud, 6 Huelot, 28 Huggin, 19 Huggins, 18 Hugginy, 236 Hugh, 6, 18, 19, 26, 28 Hughelot, 28 Hugonet, 31, 32 Huguenin, 31 Huguenot, 32 Hugyn, 18 Humanity, 142 Humble, 152, 200 Humiliation, 151 Humility, 152, 203, 205 Humphrey, 88 Hutchin, 18 Hutchinson, 18 Hyppolitus, 70 I Ibbetson, 22 Ibbett, 22 Ibbot, 22, 81 Ibbotson, 22 Ichabod, 65, 205 If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned, 156 Immanuel, 42 Increase, 168, 169, 194, 205, 209 Increased, 122, 168, 195 Ingram, 100 Ingram Dionis, 234 Inward, 179 Isaac, 3, 26, 35, 203, 205, 206 Isabella, 3, 22, 48, 51, 81 Isaiah, 52 Issott, 81 Ithamaria, 223 J Jabez, 40 Jachin, 53 Jack, 2, 6, 8, 26, 90 Jackcock, 8 Jackett, 26 Jacob, 35 Jacolin, 106 Jacomyn, 103, 106 Jacquinot, 31 Jaell, 46, 65 James, 36 James-Smith, 225 Jane, 48, 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, 70 Neriah, 53 Neville, 228, 231 Nichol, 82 Nicholas, 2, 3, 34, 36, 37, 43, 45, 80, 90, 91, 92 Nick, 111 Noah, 35, 69, 195 Noel, 36, 98, 99 No-merit, 122, 170, 174 Northamtonia, 229 Nothing, 211 Nowell, 36, 99 O Obadiah, 72 Obediah, 51, 61, 69 Obedience, 148 Obey, 162 Oceanus, 208 Olive, 106 Olivia, 92, 106, 221 Onesiphorus, 56, 57, 85 Onslowe, 231 Opportunity, 211 Original, 128, 129 Othniell, 69 Oziell, 69 P Palcock, 16 Pardon, 209 Paris, 70 Parish Church, 235 Parkin, 34 Parnel, 104 Parratt, 79 Pascal, 36 Pasche, 96 Pascoe, 96 Pash, 11 Pashkin, 11 Pask, 11, 36 Paskin, 11 Patience, 120, 139, 143, 145, 147, 202, 203, 204 Patient, 204 Paul, 36 Payn, 26 Paynet, 26 Paynot, 26 Peaceable, 203 Peacock, 15, 34 Peg, 106 Pelatiah, 57 Peleg, 69 Pentecost, 36, 43, 98 Pepper, 211 Peregrine, 208 Perkin, 11, 34 Perks, 13 Perot, 79 Perrin, 18, 19, 34, 81 Perrinot, 31 Perrot, 34, 79 Perrotin, 31 Perseverance, 149, 187, 204 Persis, 48, 121 Peter, 2, 3, 18, 34, 36, 37, 45, 51, 79, 92, 105 Peter Grace, 234 Petronilla, 105 Pharaoh, 52, 69, 72 Phebe, 48 Philadelphia, 144 Philcock, 81 Philemon, 45, 53, 69 Philip, 2, 3, 26, 36, 37, 51, 90, 92, 95, 113 Philiponet, 31 Phillis, 106 Philpot, 26, 77, 80 Phineas, 52 Phippin, 19, 81 Phip, 85, 90 Pidcock, 15 Pierce, 82 Pierre, 34 Piers, 79 Piety, 199 Pipkin, 11 Pleasant, 177 Pol, 36 Pontius Pilate, 58 Posthuma, 217, 218 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, 106 Tibbe, 25, 26 Tibbett, 25 Tibbin, 19 Tibbitt, 25 Tibet, 25, 33, 82 Tibbot, 25 Tibot, 25, 43 Tiffanie, 97 Tiffany, 36, 97 Tiffeny, 97 Tillett, 21 Tillot, 21 Tillotson, 21 Tim, 6 Timothy, 36 Tipkin, 11 Tippin, 19 Tipping, 19 Tippitt, 25 Tobel, 40 Toll, 29 Tollett, 20 Tollitt, 29 Tolly, 5, 29 Tom, 8, 34, 82, 86, 87, 90, 92, 109, 111, 122 Tomasin, 109 Tomkin, 11, 34 Tonkin, 10 Trial, 187 Tribulation, 120, 147, 185, 186 Trinity, 178 True-heart, 200 Truth, 142, 144, 202 Tryphena, 48, 57 Tryphosa, 48, 57 Tufton, 231 Tunstall, 231 Tyffanie, 97 Tyllot, 21 Typhenie, 97 U Unfeigned, 172 Unity, 178 Upright, 200 Urias, 102 Ursula, 43, 93 V Vashni, 53 Venus, 70, 71, 75, 76 Victory, 149 Virginia, 208 Virtue, 148 Vitalis, 132, 133 W Walter, 3 Warin, 26 Warinot, 26 Washington, 232 Wat, 82, 85, 90 Watchful, 199 Watkin, 9, 11, 77, 81 Watkins, 13 Watt, 6 Weakly, 175 Wealthy, 177, 209, 210 Welcome, 209 What-God-will, 135 Wilcock, 8, 16, 34, 77 Wilkin, 8, 9, 11, 34 Will, 6, 86, 88, 111 Willan, 34 William, 3, 7, 26, 34, 44, 110, 112, 184, 195, 203 William Henry, 220 Willin, 34 Willing, 34 Willot, 8 Wilmot, 8, 26, 34, 80 Windebank, 230 Woodrove, 231 Wrath, 155 Wrestling, 203 Wyatt, 26, 80 Wyon, 26 Y Young Allen, 197 Young John, 197, 227 Z Zabulon, 85 Zachary, 46, 69, 88 Zanchy, 130 Zaphnaphpaaneah, 58 Zaphnaphpaaneah Isaiah Obededom Nicodemus Francis Edward, 222 Zeal-for-God, 200 Zeal-of-the-land, 88, 120, 187, 188 Zebulon, 69 Zephaniah, 52, 87 Zerrubabel, 40, 41, 119, 120 Zillah, 53 Zipporah, 66, 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:—
“John Poyntmaker, for pointing of xl. dozen points of silk pointed with agelettes of laton.
“John Carter, for cariage away of a grete loode of robeux that was left in the strete.
“To a laborer called Rychard Gardyner working in the gardyne.
“To Alice Shapster for making and washing of xxiiii. sherts, and xxiiii. stomachers.”
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:
“Willelmus Malkynson, and Dionisia uxor ejus, iiiid.”—W. D. S.
[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:
“1 Henry VIII. To Fygge the taborer, 6d.”—Churchwarden’s Books of Kingston-on-Thames, Brand’s “Pop. Ant.,” i. 147.
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:
“1576, March 24. Baptized Ibbett, d. of Kateryne Collys, bastard.
“1576, July 30. Baptized Isott, d. of Richard Moyle.”—St. Columb Major.
[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:
“1691, May 24. Christened Hadasa, daughter of Arthur Richardson.
“1693, Sep. 4. Christened John, son of Nicholas and Hadassah Davis.”—St. Dionis Backchurch.
[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:
“1756, May 24. Buried Love Venus Rivers.”—St. Peter, Cornhill.
[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, xxs.”—“Privy Purse Expenses, Princess Mary.”
[23] Philip is found just as frequently for girls as boys:
“1588, March 15. Baptized Phillip, daughter of John Younge.
“1587, Feb. 7. Baptized Phillip, daughter of James Laurence.”—St. Columb Major.
[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:
“1593, Nov. 7. Buried Sarra Bone, wife of Gawen Bone.”—St. Dionis Backchurch.
[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:
“1670, Oct. 26. Sir Saml. Morland to Carola Harsnet.”—Westminster Abbey.
“1703. Charlotte Eliza, d. of Mr. John Harmand, a French minister.”—Hammersmith.
“9 Will. III. June 29. Caroletta Hasting, defendant.”—Decree Rolls, MSS. Record Office.
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:—
“Bethia Atkins, ob. Ap. 16th, 1851, aged 74.”
[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:
“1541, Jan. 3. Baptized Erasmus, sonne of John Lynsey.”—St. Peter, Cornhill.
“1593, Sep. 16. Baptized Erasmus, sonne of John Record, merchaunt tailor.”—Ditto.
“1611, July 18. Buried Erasmus Finche, captaine, of Dover Castle.”—Cant. Cath.
[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:
“1629, July 11. Baptized Subpena, a man childe found at the Subpena office in Chancery Lane.”—St. Dunstan.
[39] Melior was a favourite:—
“1675, April 15. Baptized Melior, d. of Thomas and Melior Richardson.”—Westminster Abbey.
“1664-5, Feb. 22. William Skutt seeks renewal of a wine licence, which he holds in behalf of his mother-in-law, Melior Allen, of Sarum, at £10 a year.”—“C. S. P. Dom.”
“1552, July 11. Baptized Mellior, d. of John James.”—St. Columb Major.
[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:
“1639, May 3. Buried the Lady Philadelphia Carr.”—Hillingdon, Middlesex.
“1720, Aug. 6. Married William Adams and Philadelphia Saffery.”—Cant. Cath.
“1776, Jan. 5. Buried Philadelphia, wife of John Read.”—Blockley, Glouc.
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:
“1589, Oct. 12. Baptized Fre-gyft and Fear-not, ye children of John Lulham.”—Warbleton.
[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—
“In memory of Thankfull Frewen, Esq., patron of, and a generous benefactor to, this Church: who was many years purse-bearer and afterwards secretary to Lord Keeper Coventry, in the reign of Charles the First.”
A flat stone in the chancel commemorates the second Thankful:
“Hic situs est vir reverendus Thankfull Frewen hujus ecclesiæ per quinquaginta sex annos rector sanctissimus & doctissimus ... obiit 2do Septembris, 1749, anno ætatis 81mo.”
[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:
“1757, Jan. 11. Married Thomas Dunn and Pleasant Dadd.”—Cant. Cath.
[56] A dozen Freemans may be seen within the limits of half that number of pages in the Finchley registers. Here is one:
“1603, Feb. 26. Baptized Freeman, filius Freeman Page.”
[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.