[74]. A proof that this origination is correct is found in a York will dated 1391. William de Kyrkby bequeaths articles to ‘Evæ uxori Johannes Parvying,’ and to ‘Willielmo de Rowlay,’ and then at the close he speaks of them as the aforementioned ‘Evotam et dictum Willielmum Rowlay.’ (Test. Elor., vol. i. p. 145–6. Surt. Soc.) An old London record, dated 1379, contains amongst other names those of ‘Custance Busshe’ and ‘Evota de Durham.’ The owner would be familiarly known among her acquaintances as ‘Evote’ or ‘Evette.’ (Memorials of London, p. 435.)
[75]. ‘Sacred to the memory of George Higgott,’ etc. Bonsall Church, Derbyshire. The more common form is ‘Higgett.’
[76]. ‘Dawe Robson, et Alicia uxor ejus.’ (W. 11.)
[77]. ‘Damsel’ is, of course, the diminutive of this. As a surname, it is found in the cases of ‘Simon Damesell’ (H.R.) and ‘Lawrence Damysell’ (W. 2). Other diminutives are met with in ‘Damietta Porcell’ (Hist. and Ant. Survey, index), ‘Damietta Avenell’ (F. F.), ‘Dametta fil. Morell’ (D. D.); hence as surnames our ‘Damets,’ ‘Dametts,’ ‘Damiots,’ and ‘Domitts.’ Entries like ‘Alice Damyett’ (Z), ‘Hugh Damiot’ (A), ‘Henry Damett’ (R), and ‘Henry Domet’ (A) are common.
[78]. Thomas Jordanson and Margery Jordanson occur in ‘Three Lancashire Documents’ (Cheth. Soc.).
[79]. ‘Jud,’ now the pet form of George, was formerly that of Jordan. In Gower’s lines, already quoted, it is said—
‘Hudde’ ferit, quem ‘Judde’ terit,
This reminds us of Aron Judde in the Hundred Rolls.
[80]. Dean Stanley seems to have the impression that this custom was confined to the pilgrims of Italy and Spain. In his Sinai and Palestine, page 333, he says: ‘The name of the river has in Italy and Spain, by a natural association, been turned into a common Christian name for children at the hour of baptism, which served to connect them with it.’ Judging by existing traces merely, I doubt whether the practice was quite so familiar in those countries as our own.
[81]. Ellicot seems to be a sort of feminine from Elisota. ‘Item do et lego Elisotæ domicellæ meæ 40s.’ (Will of William de Aldeburgh, 1391. Test. Ebor. vol. i. p. 151.) ‘Item, lego Elisotæ, uxori Ricardi Bustard unam vaccam et 10s.’ (Will of Patrick de Barton, 1391. Test. Ebor. vol. i. p. 155.)