Part 14
_Halliday_, from Halyday, Normandy. A name historically associated in America with the great Overland Route, as is also Blanchard (q.v.). Benjamin Holliday, William Blanchard, and Judge Thomas A. Marshall (President of the Central Pacific) were Kentuckians born within a few miles of each other, near the northern border of the State. All pioneers of Scandinavian blood.
_Halsey._
_Ham._ From the Castle of Ham, Normandy. William _du_ Ham, Normandy, 1180. William _de_ Ham, England, 1272.
_Hamer._ Heirmir, the name of a jarl. It was that stout fighter, General Hamer, who sent Ulysses Grant to West Point.
_Hamilton._ A well-known family in Kentucky.
_Hamilton._ Gilbert de Hamelden had estates in Surrey, holding his lands from the Honour of Huntingdon, and, therefore, from the Kings of Scotland (1254). His elder son, Walter, was one of the Barons of Scotland, and held the barony of Hamilton. The family dates from Normandy, 1130. The most illustrious descendant of this noble Scottish family was an American--Alexander Hamilton--who, according to that very eminent authority, Prince Talleyrand, "was the greatest man of his epoch," an epoch illustrated by such names as Napoleon and Washington--his greatness consisting peculiarly in this, that he was not only variously gifted--soldier, scholar, orator, administrator, political philosopher and financier, but, like William of Normandy, he was a creative or constructive statesman, and his mother, like the Maiden of Falaise, was a daughter of France. In a brilliant and powerful work descriptive of his life, he is fitly styled the "Conqueror," and an American Senator, writing upon the same lines, adopts practically the same views. The discussion in both instances is conducted with perfect frankness and in perfect taste. In a speech at the recent Home-Coming in Louisville, an eloquent Kentuckian made felicitous reference to a similar instance in which (it was alleged) destiny (or subterranean tradition) had assigned to a daughter of the people the same illustrious rôle. Whatever the facts, there is a philosophy that rises above conventions; precisely as if it should say--"In the higher planes of life, the conceptions of social evolution are sometimes predestinated and immaculate." Who knows? Thus much at least may be conceded to the maiden of the wilderness, to the daughter of the tropics, and to the Maiden of Falaise, that no three women who have figured in profane history as the mothers of great men have more profoundly affected the destinies of the English or Anglo-Norman race.
_Hampden._
_Hampton._ Norman-French. De Hantona.
_Hancock._ Hancoc or Hencot--These names were gradually changed to Hancock.
_Hanks._ According to Lower, an old Cheshire "nick"-name of Randolph. The name Randolph has given rise to many "diminutives," as Rankin, Randolph, Randy, Ranson, Hankin, Hankey, Hanks, resembling in this respect the prolific "Peter" (q.v.). In the struggle for existence the monosyllabic "Hanks" has survived to share the distinction of the original surname. To have been borne by the mother of Lincoln is quite enough to render it illustrious for all time. A contemporary said of her that "she was a woman of superior natural endowments of mind and of great amiability and kindness of heart. She was always gentle, always kind, but far more energetic than her husband. She was quick-witted, with a great relish for the humorous and a keen appreciation of fun." Her husband generously described her occasional "complaints" as "chirping"--a gracious felicity of speech. Whatever the wit and charm of the woman, there was certainly humor, with tenderness and imagination, in the man.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Ky., in February, 1809, three and a half years after the marriage of his father and mother. She died in October, 1818. She was buried near the present site of Lincoln City, and lay for many years in an unmarked grave. A "sculptured monument" now marks the spot. It is a beautiful shaft of white marble and bears the impressive legend: "Beneath this shaft lies in peace all that is mortal of NANCY LINCOLN, mother of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States."
_Hanson_, Hausen (Scand).
_Harben_ (Norman) or Harbin, de Harpin: Harbinson.
_Harcourt._ The Earls of Harcourt were descended from Bernard, "the Dane," who was chief counselor and second in command to Rollo or Rolf in his invasion of Neustria, 875, and received for his services a chateau ("Harcourt") near Brionne in France. Robert de Harcourt attended William the Conqueror to the Conquest of England. "Harcourt" is notably a name of "high life."
_Harden_, or Hardin. Walter Hardin, a true Norman name.
_Hardin._ Ben Hardin, the great Kentucky lawyer, on one occasion when traveling the circuit breakfasted with his kinsman, Major Barbour, a prominent citizen of a pious community. Mrs. Barbour, who had little taste for the profane writers, but read her Bible daily, was truly a mother in Israel; and was as hospitable to sinners as to saints. The problem before the venerable hostess was to make the conversation interesting to the great lawyer. Roosevelt and the Kaiser were not at the front in those days, and the conversation naturally flagged; but the old lady soon found a satisfactory substitute for the great modern rulers, and turned suddenly upon her imposing kinsman with the query, "Benjamin, what do you think of SOLOMON?" Ben had evidently studied the subject, for he answered instantly, "SOLOMON, madam, was a magnificent damned scoundrel."
_Hardin_, Hardinge, D. B. Harding, Hardingus, Hardine. In old Norse, Haddingjar. Harden for Ardern or Hardern. Ralph de Ardern was Lord of Bracebridge. The family of Arden or Ardern (with aspirate, Harden) was Norman and went to England in 1066. Bernard "the Dane" was Regent of Normandy, 940.
_Harden_, for Hardern or Ardern; or _Arden_ with aspirate.
_Hardy._
_Harris_, for Heris, Normandy. Harsee, Normandy, 1198.
_Harris_, for Heriz. Ralph Heriz, Normandy, 1180-'95. Ivo de Heriz, England, 1130.
_Harrison._ Philip and Gilbert Heriçon, Normandy, 1180. Henry Harsent, England, 1272. In Virginia, a great name.
(1) The famous French economist, Michel Chevalier, traveled in the United States in 1835. He says in one of his _Lettres_ that he remarked at the table of the hotel a man of about 60 years of age who had the lively air and alert carriage of a youth. He was impressed by the amenity of his manners and by a certain air of command which peered even through his "linsey" habit. This, he learned, was the distinguished American general, Harrison, victor in the Battle of the Thames, one of the two very celebrated battles of the war, the other being the Battle of Tippecanoe. If a "Norman" battle was ever fought upon this continent, it was the Battle of the Thames. It might have recalled to the Conqueror his own baptism of fire. On the eve of battle the American commander changed his plans. Having learned that Colonel James Johnson's cavalry had been drilled to _charge in the woods_, he ordered a charge to be made by the mounted Kentuckians upon the British line, which was drawn up in a wooded strip of ground between the river and the swamp. Their artillery was planted in the wagon road which bisected the center of the British line. The column of Kentuckians flanking the artillery was launched upon the right of the Saxon line with irresistible force. Reserving their fire and reversing the movement, they charged the broken and disordered line from the rear, pouring upon it a destructive fire. The victory was complete. Colonel R. M. Johnson charged the Indians in their covert on the left; and it was here, in a close hand-to-hand struggle, that Tecumseh fell, bequeathing a lifelong controversy to his foes. It was ultimately settled, however, in the popular mind by the traditional couplet--
"Humpsy, Dumpsy, Humpsy, Dumpsy, Colonel Johnson killed Tecumseh."
_Harrison._ Heriçon, Normandy, 1180.
_Harrop._ La Herupe.
_Harrow._
_Hart._
_Hart._ LeCerf, Ralph Cerfus, Normandy, 1180-1198. In England translated into Herte, also Harte.
_Harvey_, Harvie, Hervey, Herveus, 1198, Normandy. Sire Hervey is mentioned in Piers Plowman. The early pronunciation of Hervey was _Harvey_. Now, generally pronounced as spelled.
_Hatcher._
_Haughton._
_Hawes._ Richard Hawes, Confederate Governor of Kentucky.
_Hawkins._ From the Manor of Hawkings, Kent, held by Walter Hawkins, 1326. Colonel Tom Hawkins of Kentucky, who fought with Lopez in Cuba, was a typical Anglo-Norman.
_Hawley._
_Hay_, or de la Haye.
_Hay_, or de la Hey, Hay. Armorially identified with Hayes, from Hayes, near Blois. Vide Desha or Deshayes.
_Hayles._
_Hayley._
_Hayne_, or Haynes.
_Hearn_, from Heron, near Rouen.
_Hedge._
_Helm._ Andrew de Helm, England, 1262. (Normandy, 1198.)
_Herd_, for Hert, Hart.
_Hert._
_Hewett_, or Hewitt. From Huest or Huet, near Evreux. Also, Hewettson.
_Hibberd._
_Hickey_, Hequet, Normandy.
_Hicks._
_Higgin_, Hequet, Normandy. Higginson.
_Hill._ The English form of De Morete. For Helle or de Heille, near Beaurais. The family was spread throughout Kent and Surrey.
_Himes._
_Hitt._
_Hoare._ Aure from Auray, in Bretagne. _Aure_, with aspirate, becomes _Hoare_.
_Hogg_, or De Hoge. From La Hogue in the Contentin.
_Hoghton_, Hocton.
_Hoide._
_Hoile_, or Hoyle. Norman Hoel, a familiar name in Kentucky.
_Holburd_, Halbert, Alberd, Albert.
_Holiday_, or Holliday. Ben Holliday, forerunner of the Stanfords and Huntingtons.
_Holland_, de Hoilant, Normandy, 1180.
_Holles_, for Hollis. Robert de Holis, Normandy, 1198.
_Holmes_ (William der Holme).
_Holmes._ From Norse Holmer (an islet in a lake). D. B. de Holme, a tenant in chief. William du Holme, 1180-95.
_Hood._ Norse Udi. Danish Hude. The popular hero, Robin, seems to have been of Scandinavian descent. John Hood, of Kentucky, was pre-eminently a "fighting general." Jesse James was the Robin Hood of our day.
_Hooker._
_Hooper._
_Hord._ A Swedish name, borne by a general of Charles XII.
_Howel._
_Hudson._ Hudson of Maysville, an intimate friend of General Grant.
_Hughes._
_Hulbard._ For Hubert.
_Humfrey._
_Humphry._
_Humphrey._ Notably a Norman name. As theologians, lawyers, scholars, the Humphreys of Kentucky have sustained the ancient distinction of the name.
_Hunt_, Le Huant, Normandy, 1198.
_Hunter_ (Venator or Le Veneur).
_Hunter._ English form of Le Veneur.
_Huntley._
_Hurt._
_Hutchings_, or Hutchins, Houchin.
_Hyatt_ (Haytt).
_Ingall._ For Angall.
_Ingle._ For Angle.
_Inglis_, or Anglicus.
_Ingram._
_Innes_ (the Baronets Innes).
_Ireland_ (DeHibernis, Normandy, 1180).
_Jack._ For Jacques; William Jack, England, 172.
_Jackson._ A name of the family Lascelles.
_James._ St. James, Normandy.
_Janvier._ (January.) At least three branches in this country from a common ancestor in France. The name is sometimes anglicized--notably in Missouri and Kentucky.
_Jarvis_ (Gervasius, Normandy, 1180).
_Jeffreys_ (with various forms), Geoffrey, Geoffrey's son, Jefferson. In the home-coming reception Mason and Jefferson hold the extremes of the receiving line.
_Jennings_, from Genn or Canon, Chanum, Chanon, Chanoun, Jenun, Jenning or Jennings, William Jennings Bryan. Vide Bryan.
_Jewell_, from Juel or Judæ de Mayenne.
_Jewett_, or Guet, Normandy, 1180.
_Johnson._ The Johnsons of Ayscough-Fee, County Lincoln, claim from the house of FitzJohn of Normandy (Guillim's Display of Heraldry). A distinguished name in Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky.
_Johnston_ is Scandinavian. Probably the most conspicuous and influential Scandinavian in the United States at this time bears that name. He is a native of Scandinavia. The most notable American of that race and name was the Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston. There are two pictures of him that will live in the popular mind: (1) As he stood, silent and absorbed, beside his camp fire on the night before Shiloh; (2) As he led that dashing and successful charge on the following day. A soldier worthy of his race.
_Julian._ From St. Julian, Normandy.
_Karr._
_Kays._
_Kerr._ Appears to be a branch of the Norman house of Espec. The name is variously given as Kerr, Karr, Carr, Cairo, Carum. Lucien Carr was author of a History of Missouri.
_Keats_, for Keate. Keats the poet had a brother who lived in Louisville, Ky.
_Keats_, Keat, Keyt, Kate. In Collins' History, page 557, Vol. 2, the reader notes the following reference to this name--"The most celebrated female school in the West at the time was in Washington, 1807-12; that of Mrs. Louisa Caroline Warburton Fitzherbert Keats, sister of Sir George Fitzherbert, of St. James Square, and wife of Reverend Mr. Keats, a relation of the celebrated poet."--The Keats family of Louisville (closely related to the poet) was conspicuous in the early history of that city. They were connections of the famous Speed family of Kentucky.
_Kehoe._ (French) Cahot; Cahut; Cayeux, p. n.
_Kenney_ (De Kani, 1198, Normandy).
_Kentain_, for Kintan or Quentin. Simon Kenton was always known among the plain people as Kinton, though, in early Kentucky statutes, the name is spelled _Canton_, no doubt as then pronounced, even by "scollards." Kenton, a "place" name near the northeast coast of England. Much of our old Kentucky stock is Northumbrian.
_Keith._
_Key._
_Keyes._
_Kimball_, for Kemble.
_King_ (Rex de LeRoy, Normandy, 1180).
_Kinsey_, for Kensey.
_Kirk_, or Quirk, de Querçu.
_Kissill._ For Cecil, which is also sometimes Sissell, Knight (Miles or Knight, Normandy).
_Knott_, for Canot or Canute.
_Knott_ (Danish), Knouth. Norse Knöttr (a ball or knob, as a Knot on oak).
_Kydd_, or Kidd.
_Kyle_, or Keyle.
_Lacy_, or Lacey. A baronial name from Lasey, between Vire and Aulnay. Walter de Lacy was in the battle of Hastings, and Captain Walter Lacy of Kentucky was a soldier in the Mexican War.
_Lamb_ (Robert, Agnus, and Ralph, Normandy, 1180).
_Lambton._ A Durham family from the Barons of Tarp and Normandy.
_Landor_, or Lander. From Landers, Burgundy. From this family Walter Landor, the poet.
_Larken_, Larkin, Largan, Largant, Larcamp, Larkins, Normandy, 1180.
_Laurence_, Lorenz, Normandy, 1180; also Lawrence.
_Lawson_, from Loison, Normandy, 1180.
_Lee_, Leigh, De la Mare. Stephen Lee, the progenitor of the Kentucky Lees, was born in Prince William County, Virginia, and died in Mason County, Kentucky. His first wife--the widow Magruder--was the mother of Priscilla Lee, who married William Botts of Virginia. His second wife died without issue. His third wife was Mrs. Ann Dunn. Her son, Henry, who rose to distinction in the history of Kentucky, was born April 2, 1757. He married Mary Young.
The question is sometimes asked, "How were the descendants of Stephen Lee related to the Lees of the Northern Neck?" Many years ago the writer of this note saw in a collection of old papers made by that able and conscientious antiquary, William D. Hixson,[13] a letter from General Henry Lee of Virginia ("Light-Horse Harry") to General Henry Lee of Kentucky, in which the latter was addressed as "Dear Cousin." The letter was in relation to certain lands in Mason County then owned by a daughter, Priscilla Lee; and was of peculiar interest as confirming the familiar tradition of a connection by blood between the two families of Lee. The name "Lee" is traced by English genealogists to Scandinavia. (Vide sketch of the Lee family in the "Register," by Lucy Coleman Lee.)
[13] W. D. Hixson, the "Old Mortality" of Mason, is now a resident of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.
_Lemon_, Lemmus, Normandy, 1180.
_Lenard_, or Leonard. For Leonard from St. Leonard near Fecamp, Normandy.
_Lenney_, or Linney, from Launer, Normandy.
_Lewis_, DeLues or Luiz, Normandy, 1180.
_Liddell._ From Lydale, on Scottish border; seat of a Norman.
_Lile_, for Lisle.
_Lincoln._ Alured de Lincoln came from Normandy with the Conqueror; held a great barony in Lincoln and Bedford. From a collateral branch, it is said--and the branches were numerous--descended the greatest of the "Rulers of Men," Abraham Lincoln.
_Lincoln._ The following appreciation of the character of Abraham Lincoln is from Paul Bourget's Outre-Mer. The judgment of posterity is probably anticipated in this discriminating characterization by an able foreign writer: "That heroic struggle has left more noble vestiges than the shameful abuse of electoral pensions: the recollection in the first place of a common bravery, the proof that American industrialism has not in the least diminished the energies of the race; again, the legend of Lincoln, of one of those men who by their example alone model after their mind the conscience of an entire country. That personage, so American by the composite character of his individuality, humorous and pathetic at the same time; that politician experienced in all trickeries and nevertheless so capable of idealism and mysticism; that half-educated man who had at times magnificent simplicities of eloquence; that old wood-cutter, his face bitter with disgust, yet luminous with hope, worn out with trials and still so strong; that statesman so close to the people and nevertheless with so broad a vision, remains the most modern of heroes, one whom the United States can boldly place in opposition to a Napoleon, a Cavour, a Bismarck. The South to-day recognizes his greatness as well as the North. He had the luck to be exactly the workman that was needed for the task which he undertook, and to die as soon as that task was achieved. Such circumstances continued form great destinies."
"Abraham Lincoln" (says one of his admiring compatriots) "was an incomparable leader of men. While McClellan and Grant could conduct more or less successfully the operations of a hundred thousand men in the field, it was Abraham Lincoln alone that could keep in hand the vast and turbulent electorate of eighteen Northern States. It was Lincoln's consummate generalship, happily for the South, that held these radical and aggressive elements in check: '_Unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem._'"
_Lindsay_, or de Lines. Branch of a baronial Norman house; one of the sovereign families that ruled in Norway till dispossessed by Harold Harfager. The name "Lindsay" is from the Norman seigneury Limesay. There are various branches with armorial identifications pointing to a common origin. Chief Justice Lindsay, of Kentucky, stands in the front rank of Anglo-Norman lawyers.
_Lisle._
_Littell_, or Little. Parvus or Le Petit, Normandy, 1180.
_Littleton_, or Lytleton.
_Lockett_, for Lockhart.
_Long._ Petrus de Longa, Normandy.
_Lovell._ Louvel, Normandy, 1180.
_Lucas._ From De Lukes or Luches.
_Luckett_, for Lockett.
_Luke._ From St. Luc, near Evreux, Normandy.
_Luttrell_, Ralph and Robert Lotrel, Normandy, 1180.
_Lyle_, for Lisle.
_Lyon._ From Lions, Normandy.
_Lyttleton._ From Vantort, Maine. Lord Chief Justice Lytleton was of this house.
_Machin._ From LeMachun or LeMeschun.
_Mainwaring._ Mesnil, Larin, a well-known Norman family.
_Major._ Normandy, 1198.
_Maltby._ (Scandinavian.)
_Malby._ For Malbiæ, Normandy, 1180.
_Man_, or Mann.
_Manning._ From Maignon, Normandy, 1180.
_March._ From Marchie, Normandy.
_Markland._ An old Scandinavian name. It was given by Eric in his voyage of exploration (year 1000) to the "wooded" coast of Cape Breton, or Nova Scotia.
_Marsh._ DeMarisco, Normandy, 1180.
_Marshall._ There are 62 coats of arms of this name, generally Normans, the principal of these being the Earls of Pembroke. Colonel Thomas Marshall of Virginia, the father of the great Chief Justice, lived near Washington, Mason County, Ky. He died in 1802. His grave in the family burying-ground near the old home ("The Hill") has attracted many visitors of late years, and the family homestead near Washington was once visited by the Chief Justice himself. John Marshall was probably the greatest American lawyer of Anglo-Norman descent; and certainly, as Mr. Barrett Wendell says, "the most eminent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States."
Judge Thomas A. Marshall, who recently passed away at Salt Lake City, a grandson of old Colonel Thomas Marshall, was also a "pioneer." He became the greatest mining lawyer in the West, and President of the Central Pacific Railroad. Lytleton, Coke, Chitty, Denman, and other great English lawyers were derived from that same learned, astute, and litigious Norman race.
_Martin._ Ralph, John, William, Normandy, 1198; William Martin, England, 1178.
_Mason._ William Le Mazon, Normandy, 1198; Hugh Le Maun, England, 1198. Mason County, named after the famous Virginian, George Mason, by the Legislature of Virginia in 1788, and not (as recently proclaimed) after a Governor of Michigan, who in all likelihood was not born when the county was named.
_Massey._
_Massie._
_Massy._ A well-known Norman family, Macy, whence the name is derived, was seated near Coutances and Avranches, Normandy.
_May._ From De Mai, Normandy, 1180; De May, England, 1272. Maysville, Ky., named after John May.
_Mayhew_, for Mayo.
_Mead_, or Meade. The English form of De Prato, Normandy, 1180.
_Menzies_, or De Maners, or later in Scotland, Manners.
_Mercer_, Mercier; Normandy.
_Merrill._
_Miall_, Miel, Mihell, Mighell (the last a mediæval form of Michael). Lower also derives Mitchell from Michael through the French form Michel.
_Miles._
_Mill._
_Miller_, or Milner, in Normandy Molendinarius.
_Mills_, from Miles.
_Milton_, or Middleton. Armorially identified with the Norman family De Camville, in the Cotentin. The poet Milton was of this stock.
_Minors_, or Minor. A distinguished family long settled in Virginia. De Mineriis, Normandy, 1198; in England also, 1198.
_Mitchell_, for Michel.
_Mitchell._ Rudulphus Michael, Normandy, 1180-'95. William de St. Michael, England, 1198. Michael, Michel, Michell.
_Montagu._ From Montaigu or Montacute, Normandy.
_Montgomery_, DeMonte. Gourmeril, Normandy, many branches.
_Moodie._
_Moody._
_Moore_ (de More).
_Morey._ English pronunciation of Moret.
_Morton_, for Moreton.
_Morton._ Ralph de Morteine.
_Mountjoy._ Pagonus de Montegaii, Normandy, 1097; the family was seated in Notts and Derby. Early settlers in Virginia and Kentucky.
_Mowbray._ Baronial family, Castle of Molbrai.
_Mullins_, for Molines.
_Mundey_, for Munday.
_Murrell_, for Morrall.
_Nelson_, Nilson. Of Norman descent, who settled in Norfolk, was the direct ancestor of Admiral Lord Nelson. Original form Neilson or Neilsen.
_Neville_, De Nova Villa, Normandy, 1180. The families of Neville, Beaugenay, and Baskeville are descended from a common ancestor. The Nevilles are most numerous in Lincoln.
_Newton._ The most famous of this large family, Sir Isaac Newton, was of Norman descent.
_Nicholas._ Richard Nicholas, Normandy, 1198; Nicholas, Nicolaus, England, 1198. A distinguished name in Kentucky.
_Norman._ Ralph Normannus, Normandy, 1180; Henry Norman, England, 1272. This name has a social and official conspicuity in the State of Kentucky; and in whatever position found it shows the characteristic marks of the old blood.
_Norris_, William Norensis, Normandy, 1180; Thomas Norensis, England, 1198.
_Northcott_, or Northcote.
_Norton_, or Conyers. Elder branch of the family of Conyers, or Cognieres, Normandy; named from the Barony of Norton, York, the chief English seat of the family.
_Nye_, for Noye.
_O'Hara_, Hare, O'Hare, O'Hara (fleet-footed). Scions of the House of Hare-court, or Harcourt, Counts of Normandy.