Surname Names were at first expressive, as those of Scripture. According to Du Cange, surnames were originally written, not after the Christian-name, but above it, and so were "supernomina" over names. The first or Christian name is usually given at baptism. Hereditary surnames did not exist in England till after the Norman Conquest. They are taken from locality, as Field or Forest from occupation, as Fisher or Miller, Pilgrim or Palmer; from personal qualities, as Black or Brown; from natural objects, as. Lemon or Lamb, Peel or Hog, Steel or Jewel, etc. As distinct from the surname, the sirname or sire's name is a natural addition, with son, Mac, or Fitz, O, ap, wich, or sky (all signifying son); as Donaldson or Macdonald, Fitzgerald, O'Connell, Alexandrowich, Petrousky ap Howel becoming Powel, and ap Richard becoming Prichard.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More