38 USE AND ORIGIN OF SURNAMES. 
Another class of surnames originated in the 
disposition of our countrymen to make merry at 
the expense of their neighbours; that is, they 
were nicknames, to which some personal defor- 
mity, or some outward circumstance in the ap- 
pearance, history or character gave rise. Thus 
we observe the not unfrequent occurrence of such 
names as Sheepshanks, Crookshank, Shufflebot- 
tom, Muddiman, Wildgoose, Gudgeon, Sour- 
butts, Longbottom, Rainbow, Curson, String- 
fellow, &c. &c. It is impossible to say, what pro- 
portion of the numerous list of surnames at pre- 
sent in use owe their existence to this waggish 
propensity ; but I think the number of them is 
much greater than is commonly imagined. Why 
should such designations be adopted as Wolfe, 
Lion, Snow, Broadbent, Wildbore, Ladyman, 
Brownbill, Savage, Lovelace, Jiggs, Bray, 
Woodhead, Sweetlove, but for the sake of insinu- 
ating some ridiculous or reproachful circumstance, 
or of conveying some satirical reflection ? 
As many surnames belonging to this class can- 
not be etymologically anatomized without some 
violation of the existing notions of decorum, I 
take only this general notice of them; though as 
