Nickname Based Surnames

Nickname Based Surnames

Surnames arising from some bodily or personal characteristic of their first bearer, apparently grew out of what were in the first instance nicknames, some of which were not always very flattering to one's ancestor.

Peter the strong became Peter Strong, Roger of small stature became Roger Little or Roger Small, and black-haired William or blond Alfred became William Black or Alfred White. Gotobed, for example, stemmed from someone who was very lazy, Campbell meant 'crooked mouth' and Kennedy is Gaelic for "ugly head". A few examples of names of this type are Long, Short, Hardy, Wise, Good, Gladman, Lover, and Youngman.