Surname Origins, Their Source and Significations (1875)

was equally popular. The Norman desinence is found in such entries as 'Abalotta de la Forde,' or Richard Abelot, whose descendants now figure as 'Ablett' and 'Ablott.' As will be seen, these may be feminine in origin. The reverence of the despised Jew for Abraham prevented this from becoming acceptable to Christians, but Isaac's sacrifice was too popular a storynot to leave an impression. It would be frequently represented by the monks. I have already quoted Langland where he speaks of

Hikke the hackney-man

And Hugh the nedlere —

an abbreviation now more generally known and spelt as 'Ike.' Gower also has it —

Waite vocat, cui Thoma venit, neque Symme retardat,
Bat-que Gibbe simul, Hykke venire subent.

From him then have arisen our 'Isaacs' and 'Isaac-sons,' our 'Hicks' and 'Hicksons,' our 'Higgs' and Higsons,' and with the Norman-French diminutives appended, our 'Higgins,' 'Higginsons,' 'Higgotts,' 1 andHiggetts.' 'Sarah,' in the dress of 'Sarra,' had a fair number of admirers. 'Sarra le Commongere,' 'William fil. Sarra,' 'Nicholas fil. Sarre,' is the usual entry. Theorigin of our 'Sarsons' would thus be certain, were it

1 'Sacred to the memory of George Higgott,' etc. Bonsall Church, Derbyshire. The more common form is 'Higgett.'

PATRONYMIC SURNAMES.

not that this name, as will be shown elsewhere, has got confused with 'Saracen.' Moses also failed to be accepted among Christians, nor was Aaron much more fortunate, such registration as 'Aaron le Blund' or 'Aron Judde' being rare. 'Samson' or 'Sampson,' as it is more generally recorded, was of course popular enough, and many of our 'Sampsons ' are rather the simple 'Samson' than the patronymic of 'Samuel.' ' Samms ' 'Samuels' and 'Samuelson' are generally of Jewish descent. 'David,' with its 'Davies,' its ' David-sons,' its 'Dawes' and 'Dawsons,' its 'Dawkes' and 'Dawkins,' or 'Dawkinsons,' its 'Dayes,' ' Daysons,' and 'Dakins' (when not 'Deakin'), would be equally sure of remembrance; though doubtless, as the patron saint of the Principality, and as a favourite among Scottish kings, it owes much to these outer chances. Here, too, we are reminded of Piers Plowman, with his--

Dawe the dykere

And a dozen othere.

This nickname seems to have had a long reign in the popular mouth, for we find, towards the close of the sixteenth century, Haywood writing the following epigram

To a justice a juggler did complaine,

Of one that dispraised his legerdemain.

What's thy name? sayd the Justice: Dawson, sayd hee:

Is thy father alive? Nay, dead, sir, pardee:

Then thou shalt no more be Dau's son, a clere case,

Thou art Daw thyself now in thy father's place.'

Passing by Absolom,' 'Solomon,'or 'Salamon,' 'Job ' and 'Jobson,' the story of Daniel would of course be common. This has bequeathed us itself in propria per-

1 'Dawe Robson, et Alicia uxor ejus.' (W. II.)