III. Examples of changes in the form of particular designations:
Between 1332 and 1348 the name borne by the famous knight, Sir Rob. de Salle, commemorated by Froissart, and who was killed by the insurgents near Norwich in 1381, is severally written, de la Sale, de Salle, de Aula, de la S'aule, de Halle, Saul, and Halle.
In temps. Ed. II. and III. is the following name thus modified: Fitz Benedict, Benediscite, Bendiste, Bendish, Bennett.
The twenty-ninth bishop of Norwich (1446-1472) is styled Walter Lyhart, Le Hert, and Hart.
In 1337 we have "Jas. de Briseworth als. de Bliclingg;" and in 1368, "Johes. de Welburn (Frat. Thome de Welburn nuper defti), als. de Cobeslound de Welburne, Taverner."
Then, again, it were easy to produce innumerable examples of professional and business descriptions, which have originated many modern surnames, as Joh. le Lytester (Lister, Dyer), Regin, le Paumer (Palmer), Bateman le Espicer, (Spicer), &c.
But this Note has already somewhat unduly encroached upon your pages; and it is now brought to a conclusion with the single observation, that many of the causes of various readings and differences of form in the same original surname, as well as of a total change from one designation to another, are now in full force and daily practical operation in many isolated parts of the country, where, from the predominance of identical family and baptismal appellations, some method, such as is illustrated in the foregoing examples, must obviously be adopted, in order to distinguish one individual from another. In many of the remote valleys, indeed, of the North of England, a more comprehensive reply might be given than that which the unsuccessful gaberlunyie woman, mentioned by Sir W. Scott, received in a certain Scottish dale, when, in the bitterness of her disappointment, she exclaimed, "Are there no Christians here?" and was answered, "Christians! nae; we be a' Elliots and Armstrongs!" So—but certainly not under like circumstances—it might be replied, "We're a' Meccas (Ang. Metcalfes)!"
COWGILL.
Number of Surnames.
—Probably some of your numerous correspondents could give me some idea as to the number of surnames there are in this country used by British subjects. We have no good work on surnames, as those of Lower and others do not go sufficiently into the subject to satisfy the curiosity of those who wish to know the origin and date of the names in use among us. A work of some study and research, giving all the names in use at present in the country, and showing when they were first adopted or brought into the country, with the changes that have been made in them, would be very interesting, and as worthy, if not more so, than many that are brought before the public.