English Surnames: Their Sources and Significations

by Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley

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612 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1873

About the author

Rev. Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley was born in 1844 in Burnley, Lancashire, the sixth son of Rev. James Bardsley. He attended the Manchester Grammar School and Worcester College, Oxford, where he earned a B.A. and M.A. He held a number of clerical posts, including curate at St. Luke's, Cheetham, curate at St. Paul's, Kersal, and vicar of Ulverston, Lancashire. Bardsley held the latter post for fifteen years and resigned in 1893 due to failing eyesight. In 1873 he married Annie Pearson of Manchester. Bardsley wrote many genealogical and antiquarian works such as Our English Surnames (1873) and Memorials of St. Ann's Church, Manchester (1877). In addition, he wrote the novel John Lexley's Troubles (1877). He retired to Oxford where he died in 1898.

From Victorianresearch.org.

Reviews

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 19th century book with an overview. In a few places, the history it discusses is dated. However, it's mostly a good history of names. In places, it turns into lists (which may be useful for someone looking for names). Mostly medieval since that was the origin.

Starts with the longest, those derived from personal names and their various origins. Patronymics and the rarer but present metronymics -- "Tillson" is not a form "William's son," but of "Matilda's son" -- and you can't really tell whether a name derives from John or Joan.

Places names, mostly local ("Atwater" -- at water, "Hawkhurst" - by a wood with hawks), some from towns, mostly small, some from foreign countries.

Names of offices, and occupations both rural and town -- he divides up the last two to reflect the differences.

Finally, nicknames such as "Fairhair" or "Black."