Surname Origins, Their Source and Significations (1875)

'Roger,' Reginald,' 'Reynard,'and 'Miles.' We see at once in these names the parentage of some of our mostfamiliar surnames. 'Oliver' was, perhaps, the least popular so far as numbers were concerned, and might have died out entirely had not the Protector Cromwell brought it again into notoriety. 'Oliver,' 'Olver,' 'Oilier,' and 'Oliverson' are the present forms, and these are met by such entries as 'Jordan Olyver,' or

Philip fil. Oliver.' 'Roland,' or 'Orlando,'was the nephew of the great Charles, who fell in his peerless might at Roncesvalles. Of him and Oliver, Walter Scott, translating the Norman chronicle, says

Taillefer, who sang both well and loud,

Came mounted on a courser proud,

Before the Duke the minstrel sprung,

And loud of Charles and Roland sung,

Of Oliver and champions mo,

Who died at fatal Roncevaux.

'Roland' was a favourite name among the higher nobility for centuries, and with our 'Rolands,' ' Row-lands,' 'Rowlsons,' and 'Rowlandsons,' bids fair to maintain its hold upon our surnames, if not the baptismal list. Old forms are found in such entries as 'Roland le Lene,' 'Rouland Bloet,' 'William Rollandson,' or 'Robert Rowelyngsonne' ! We must not forget, too, that our 'Rowletts' and 'Rowlets' represent the French diminutive).' Robert ' is an instance of a name which has held its place against all counter influences from the moment which first brought it into public favour. It is early made conspicuous in the eldest son of the Bastard King who, through his

'Matthew Rowlett was Master of the Mint to Henry VIII. (See Pro. Ord. Privy council.)

PATRONYMIC SURNAMES.

miserable fate, became such an object of common pity that, though of the hated stock, his sobriquet became acceptable among the Saxons themselves. From that time its fortunes were made, even had not the bold archer of Sherwood Forest risen to the fore, and caused 'Hob' to be the title of every other youngpeasant you might meet 'twixt London and York. A curious instance of the popularity of the Iatter is foundin the fact that a tradesman living in 1388 in Winchelsea is recorded under the name of 'Thomas Robynhod.' The diminutives 'Robynet'' and 'Robertot' are obsolete, but of other forms that still thrive among us are 'Roberts,' 'Robarts,' 'Robertson,' 'Robins,' 'Robinson,' 'Robison,' and 'Robson.' Fromits shortened 'Dob' are 'Dobbs,' 'Dobson,' 'Dobbins,' 'Dobinson,' and 'Dobison.' 2 From its equally familiar 'Hob' are 'Hobbs,' 'Hobson,' ' Hobbins,'

Hopkins,' and 'Hopkinson.' From the Welsh, too, we get, as contractions of 'Ap-robert' and 'Ap-robin,' ' Probert' and 'Probyn.' Thus 'Robert ' is not left without remembrance. Richard was scarcely less popular than Robert. Though already firmly established, for Richard was in the Norman ducal genealogy before William came over the water, still it wasreserved for the Angevine monarch, as he had made it the terror of the Paynim, so to make it the pride of the English heart. Richard I. is an instance of a man's many despicable qualities being forgotten in

1 'Robinet of the Hill' (Y). 'Richard Robynet' (H). 'William

Robertot' (A).

2 We find the diminutive of this form in the name of 'John Dobynette,' who is mentioned in an inventory of goods, 1463. (Mum. Acad. Oxon.)