You can find maps of these in 1861 for comparison here. Remember, if you want information on a surname that hasn’t appeared in my book or been a subject of a previous blog do let me know.
Category: surnames
Contrasting Cornish surnames from places
Boswarthack or Boswarthick is a surname that I haven’t yet covered in either book or blog. It comes from a place in Constantine parish spelt Boswodek in 1330 and Bosvathek in 1519. This apparently meant a settlement by a water-course or stream. In the 1500s the distribution of the name Bosvathek (also spelt occasionally Boswathek) … Continue reading Contrasting Cornish surnames from places
Maps for the surnames Goad and Gribble
Here are a couple of maps for two surnames that first appeared at a relatively late date. Goad is probably a variant spelling of Coad. It was first recorded in 1638 at Menheniot but didn't start appearing in the registers in any number until the 1670s when it suddenly turned up in multiple locations. Gribell … Continue reading Maps for the surnames Goad and Gribble
Maps for the surnames Johns and Prowse
You can find maps of these in 1861 for comparison here. John was the commonest first name for men in 16th century Cornwall. Remember, if you want information on a surname that hasn’t appeared in my book or been a subject of a previous blog do let me know.
Maps for the surnames Morshead and Symons
You can find maps of these in 1861 for comparison here. Symons is the main spelling form of all those surnames that derive from the original Symon. This was a popular biblical name in the middle ages. The Symons group of spellings in Cornwall accounted for 62% of Symons/Simmons/Semmens in the 1950s, a proportion unchanged … Continue reading Maps for the surnames Morshead and Symons
Maps for the surnames Andrewartha and Hunkin
You can find maps of these in 1861 for comparison here. In the meantime, if you want information on a surname that hasn’t appeared in my book or been a subject of a previous blog do let me know.
The East Wheal Rose mine disaster
On this day in 1846 39 lives were lost in one of Cornwall’s worst mining disasters. This occurred at East Wheal Rose, a silver-lead mine near the village of Newlyn East. At the time it was one of Cornwall’s most productive mines, employing 1,266 men, women and children. The account in the Royal Cornwall Gazette … Continue reading The East Wheal Rose mine disaster
Extending the definition of Cornish surnames
Here are two surnames that haven’t appeared in either book or blogs. The reason they didn’t feature is because they are more common in places outside Cornwall and neither reached the number of 1861 household heads required for inclusion. Yet both were present by the middle of the 1600s and have a long history in … Continue reading Extending the definition of Cornish surnames
Maps for the surnames Callaway and Varcoe
You can find maps of these in 1861 for comparison here. In the meantime, if you want information on a surname that hasn’t appeared in my book or been a subject of a previous blog do let me know.
Maps for the surnames Rowe and Worden
You can find maps of these in 1861 for comparison here. In the meantime, if you want information on a surname that hasn’t appeared in my book or been a subject of a previous blog do let me know.
Cornish studies resources 