On the Surname Poore : its origin and meaning. 233 



an expression which can only mean on his own private estate. 

 It is evident, then, that the name " Pauper," as an equivalent to 

 '•poor," is in no sense applicable to either of these early bishops. 

 For these reasons I venture to suggest another origin for this name, 

 and subjoin the grounds on which I arrive at such a conclusion. 



My belief is that the name Poore, or Poer, which in Ireland 

 appears also as Power, is the Norman-French equivalent for the 

 Anglo-Saxon cild (=child). In the twelfth century both these 

 terms had a distinctive meaning, and designated one of knightly 

 rank, or the younger children of nobles not yet in possession of their 

 paternal estate. In truth the Anglo-Saxon word cniht (=knight) 

 also meant a boy. 



In illustration of the above statement it may be mentioned that 

 " Puer Anglicus " was a designation of the Prince of Wales as heir 

 to the throne of England. Moreover, the father of the great Earl 



Godwin was styled " Wulfnoth cild thone Suth-Seaxiscan," that is, 

 " Wulfnoth the South Saxon knight." 



(1) And now for proofs, first of all, of the identity o£ Poore with 

 Puer. This is pretty clear from the fact that we have " Ranulf 

 Poore" attesting a charter in 1174 as Ptther (Hearne's Lib. Nig. I. 

 40), and in 1175 as Poer, (Ey ton's Shropshire, viii., 153,) whilst 

 various chroniclers, in giving an account of his death in 1182, give 

 the surname as " Le Poer," or " De Poer.''' Moreover, many 



examples might be adduced, shewing that during the reign of 



Henry II. the same name is spelt indifferently " Puher," or " Poer." 



In proof of this I add a few instances from the " Itinerary of 



Henry II.," recently printed by the Rev. R. W. Eyton. 



The instrument of pacification between Henry II. and William, 



King of Scots, dated at Valoins, December 8th, 1174, is attested, 



among others, by " Ranulf Puher" (p. 186). 



In the next year (July 7th, 1175,) the king granted a charter to 



Roger Mussun {servienti suo) ; among the witnesses is " Randulf 



Poer" (lb., 193). 



In the summer of 1182 Radulf Puher was slain by the Welsh. 



Benedictus (Stubbs) I., 288, speaks of the same person as Randulf 



de Poer. Ibid, 248. 



