Lower, English Surnames, 1st/1st 1842, illustrated
"English Surnames. Essays on Family Nomenclature, Historical, Etymological and Humorous, with chapters of Rebuses and Canting Arms, the Roll of Battel Abbey, a list of Latinized Surnames, &c., &c.", by Mark Antony Lower, published by John Russell Smith, London, First Edition with MDCCCXLII [1842] imprinted on the bottom of the title page; illustrated.
Mark Antony Lower F.S.A. M.A. (1813-1876) was a Sussex historian who founded the Sussex Archaeological Society and is credited with starting the "cult of the Sussex Martyrs." Lower published 14 books on various historical subjects. "English Surnames" (1842) is his first book.
The author describes the meaning and history of English and local surnames, names derived from pursuits and occupations, name derived from "dignities...and offices," foreign names, "corruptions" and so on. Concludes with three historic transcriptions of the 11th-century Roll of Battel Abbey (list of names).
"Surnames derived from personal and mental qualities. These seem to form one of the most obvious sources of surnames, and a prolific source it has been. Nothing would be more natural, at the first assumption of surnames, than for a person of dark complexion to take the name of Black or Blackman, a tawny one that of Browne, and a pale one that of Whate or Whiteman. So, doubtless, originated Rufus, Roux, Rousseau, and Russel (which seem only modifications of one word signifying red), Redman, Pink, Tawney, and perhaps Scarlett".The color of the hair also led to a numerous train of these hereditary soubriquets (for they certainly are nothing else): hence Hoare, Grissel, Grey, Blacklocke, Whitelocke, Silverlocke, Fairhaire, Whithair, Blound, that is, fair-haired; Fairfax, that is, fair locks; Pigot, that is, speckled; Blackbeard, Whitehead, Blackhead, Redhead, etr...But it was not from the head alone that names of this description were taken, for we have, in respect of other personal qualities, our Longs and our Shorts; our Langmans, Longmans, and Longfellows; our Biggs and our Broads;... The very common name of Reed, Read or Reid, is an old spelling of RED (a name given, probably, in reference to complexion), thus Chaucer: "And floures both white and rede;"
US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ----------$16.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) ---- $29.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ----- $40.50
Condition Report: Original marbled boards [some wear]; leather spine and corners [wear, leather creases between spine and boards]; 5” x 7.3/4”; 240 pages, a few small handwritten notes on the blank edges; a few illustrations, little soiling, very good condition.
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"English Surnames. Essays on Family Nomenclature, Historical, Etymological and Humorous, with chapters of Rebuses and Canting Arms, the Roll of Battel Abbey, a list of Latinized Surnames, &c., &c.", by Mark Antony Lower, published by John Russell Smith, London, First Edition with MDCCCXLII [1842] imprinted on the bottom of the title page; illustrated.
Mark Antony Lower F.S.A. M.A. (1813-1876) was a Sussex historian who founded the Sussex Archaeological Society and is credited with starting the "cult of the Sussex Martyrs." Lower published 14 books on various historical subjects. "English Surnames" (1842) is his first book.
The author describes the meaning and history of English and local surnames, names derived from pursuits and occupations, name derived from "dignities...and offices," foreign names, "corruptions" and so on. Concludes with three historic transcriptions of the 11th-century Roll of Battel Abbey (list of names).
"Surnames derived from personal and mental qualities. These seem to form one of the most obvious sources of surnames, and a prolific source it has been. Nothing would be more natural, at the first assumption of surnames, than for a person of dark complexion to take the name of Black or Blackman, a tawny one that of Browne, and a pale one that of Whate or Whiteman. So, doubtless, originated Rufus, Roux, Rousseau, and Russel (which seem only modifications of one word signifying red), Redman, Pink, Tawney, and perhaps Scarlett".The color of the hair also led to a numerous train of these hereditary soubriquets (for they certainly are nothing else): hence Hoare, Grissel, Grey, Blacklocke, Whitelocke, Silverlocke, Fairhaire, Whithair, Blound, that is, fair-haired; Fairfax, that is, fair locks; Pigot, that is, speckled; Blackbeard, Whitehead, Blackhead, Redhead, etr...But it was not from the head alone that names of this description were taken, for we have, in respect of other personal qualities, our Longs and our Shorts; our Langmans, Longmans, and Longfellows; our Biggs and our Broads;... The very common name of Reed, Read or Reid, is an old spelling of RED (a name given, probably, in reference to complexion), thus Chaucer: "And floures both white and rede;"
US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ----------$16.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) ---- $29.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ----- $40.50
Condition Report: Original marbled boards [some wear]; leather spine and corners [wear, leather creases between spine and boards]; 5” x 7.3/4”; 240 pages, a few small handwritten notes on the blank edges; a few illustrations, little soiling, very good condition.
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