162 



THE ORIGIN OF SURNAMES. 



A communication was read from George H. Devereux 

 of Salem on the origin of surnames. This subject is re- 

 ceiving considerable attention, especially since so many 

 persons devote their time and leisure to genealogical and 

 historical researches, and, from the records and papers on 

 file in our various state, town, parish and other offices, 

 have gleaned and published many facts that will tend to 

 elucidate more fully the history of the past and delineate 

 the character of the early pioneers and their immediate 

 descendants in the settlement of this country. 



The paper was an ably prepared document and com- 

 menced with a few brief remarks upon general language. 

 It then proceeded to the special consideration of the 

 names of persons and places, as now extant in the Eng- 

 lish language. We give the following condensed synopsis 

 of this portion. 



All names had, originally, a significance of their own, 

 derived from some peculiarity of person, place or promi- 

 nent circumstance. We have grown so familiar with 

 them, as merely arbitrary designations, that we pay no 

 heed to this special meaning, which no longer has, in 

 most cases, any particular applicability ; and we talk 

 of a man called Lion or Hare, King or Straw, without a 

 moment's thought of the idea once conveyed when the 

 name was primarily given. The meaning of many bibli- 

 cal, classic, Saxon, Italian, French and other designations 

 was then stated, as well as some of Puritanic and fanciful 

 origin. In the earliest times no person had more thau 

 one name, as John, Peter, Albert, etc. But in process 

 of time it was found necessary to distinguish individuals 

 of the s same designation, of whom there would soou be 

 many in every neighborhood, by superadded descriptions. 



