[82]. We cannot but believe, however, that in many instances these two are but the offspring of ‘Alice,’ at this period one of the most popular of female names. Nor must we forget that Alison was itself a personal name, this being the Norman-French pet form of Alice, after the fashion of Marion, Louison, Beaton, etc. We are all acquainted with the ‘Alison’ of the ‘Canterbury Tales’—
‘This Alison answered: Who is there
That knocketh so? I warrant him a thefe.’
We meet with it again in an old Yorkshire will: ‘Item, to Symkyn, and Watkyn and Alison Meek, servandes of John of Bolton, to ilk on of yaim (them) 26s. 8d.’ (Test. Ebor., vol. iii p. 21. Surtees. Soc.) This name is found in our more formal registers in such an entry as ‘Alison Gelyot.’ (Parl. Rolls.) With regard to ‘Alis’ and ‘Elis,’ and ‘Alison’ and ‘Elison,’ recorded in the text, I may remind the reader that A and E were all but convertible letters with the Normans. One of their favourite female names, that of ‘Aveline,’ is found equally often as ‘Eveline,’ and in the form of ‘Evelyn’ it came down to the distinguished writer of the seventeenth century. ‘Arnold’ and ‘Ernold,’ ‘Americ’ and ‘Emeric,’ ‘Amelia’ and ‘Emilia,’ ‘Anota,’ and ‘Enota,’ and ‘Amelot’ and ‘Emelot’ are but other instances in point.
[83]. I am confirmed in my view by finding ‘Eliot’ registered as ‘Alyott.’ ‘Alyott de Symondston held half an oxgang of land, xixd.’ (De Lacy Inquisition (1311) Cheth. Soc.)
[84]. Perrin was formed from ‘Pierre,’ as ‘Huggin’ from Hugh or ‘Colin’ from Nicol. ‘The wife of Peryn’ is mentioned in ‘Manor of Ashton-under-Lyne’ (Ch. Soc.), p. 97. Perrot, or Parrot, represents also the French diminutive. ‘Alan Fitz-Pirot was a benefactor to St. Alban’s Monastery.’ (See Clutterbuck’s Hertford, Appendix, vol. i.) Prince Edward used to call the favourite, Piers Gaveston, by the familiar title of ‘Perot.’ (See Notes and Queries, vii. 280, and Lower on ‘Perrot.’)
[85]. There can be little doubt that ‘Potts’ comes from ‘Philpotts.’ We light upon a ‘Thomas Potkin’ (H.H.), proving that the abbreviation was in use.
[86]. A well-known Durham family of the name of ‘Burletson’ existed till the close of the eighteenth century in that county, and I am not sure that it does not still survive there. This, I doubt not, is but a corruption of ‘Bartelotson’ or ‘Bartleson.’ (Vide Surtees’ History of Durham, vol. i. p. 106.)
[87]. John Toloson was Sheriff of London in 1237.
[88]. The romance form, ‘Thomasine,’ existed till recent days, and was at the zenith of its popularity in Elizabeth’s reign. It is found in every register of that period. It is found as ‘Thomasing’ in Worksworth Ch. (Derbyshire): ‘Thomasing, filia William Sympson; buried Jan. 31, 1640.’