Surname Origins, Their Source and Significations (1875)

the idea of a bottle as understood by our forefathers four hundred years ago --that of a leathern case, whether for holding liquid or solids.' The hay-bottle was doubtless the bag that hung at the girth, from which, as is still the case, the driver baited his horse. Bottles for liquids were commonly of leather. The ' black-jack' was always such. It is of this an old ballad sings

Then when this bottle doth grow old,

And will no longer good liquor hold,

Out of its side you may take a clout,

Will mend your shoes when they are worn out.

Thus we see that the 'Botiller' was, after all, in some cases but identical with the old pouch-maker, represented in our old rolls by such folk as 'Henry Poucher' or 'Agnes Pouchmaker.' Another and more Norman term for this latter was that of 'Burser' or 'Purser,' though in later days both forms have come to occupy a more official position. Such names as 'Alard le Burser' or 'Robert le Pursere' are of frequent occurrence. Nor, again, while speaking of leather, can we omit a reference to the old 'Henry Male-maker,' who made up travelling bags. 'Cocke Lorelle' mentions

Masones, male-makers, and merbelers,

Tylers, brycke-leyers, and harde hewers.

The modern postal mail has but extended its earlier use. We may remember in the 'Canterbury Tales'

1 An Act of Edward VI. relative to the buying of tanned leatherspeaks of the ' mysterie of Coriar (currier), Cordewainer, Sadler, Cobler, Girdler, Lether-seller, Bottelmaker.' (3 and 4 Ed. VI. c. 6')

SURNAMES OF OCCUPATION (TOWN).

so pleased were the company at the end of the first story, that the host said--

Unbuckled is the male,

Let see now who shall tell another tale,

For trewely this game is wel begun.

We must not forget, however, that many of these baskets and boxes would require cordage then as now. Piers Plowman mentions 'Robyn the Ropere,' and both name and occupation are still familiar amongst us. In the Fabric Roll of York Minster is mentioned a 'William Raper,' 1446; and again in 1457, under the head of 'Custos canabi,' one 'Thomas Kylwake, rapor.' Both forms are equally common in our directories. As representative of the more technical part of the industry we may cite 'Thomas le Winder' and 'Richard le Windere,' whose progeny still dwell among us. 'Adam le Corder' or 'Peter le Corder,' or 'George le Stringer' or 'Thomas Strengfellowe,' carry us back to names of the commonest import in the fourteenth century. The

Lanterners, stryngers, and grynders

are set together by an old rhymer. But I have already said something about them in connection with our 'Bowyers' and 'Fletchers,' so I will pass on. There are but few traces in our nomenclature of more delicate workmanship. Much of our jewellery came from abroad. Most of that fashioned in England was under the skilled eye of the Jew. Still 'Robert le Goldbeter' or 'Henry le Goldsmith' is not an uncommon entry at this time. The Norman equivalent was met by such a name as 'Roger le