This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

Re: Alden, Barnes, Dallas, DeWitt, Fell, Furley, Kline, Knotts, Lindley, Ritter, Roper, Snow, Somers, Tripper, Wood...need origins & meanings please
Alden is English & it means old friend, or old wise protector.

Barnes is English & it means one who came from Barnes, "the barns", villages in Surrey & Aberdeenshire. One who dwelt near a barn or grain storage building. Descendant of Barn, pet name of Barnabas, son of prophecy or consolation, or of Beorn, a nobleman derived from Bairn or child, often a young person of prominent family.

Dallas is Scottish & it means "place on the plain". It refers to the place where the original bearer dwelt.

DeWitt is Dutch & Flemish & it means white. It referred to one who had light-colored hair & complexion.

Fell is English. It indicated residence on or near a mountain rather than a hill (although the distinction in many instances is nebulous).

Kline is Germanic. It is derived from the nickname for a small, little, thin dwarfish man, often anglicized into Cline.

Knotts is the English transformation of Knott. It indicated the top of the hill, it should be noted that some terms for hill or mound served as nicknames for large, fat men. It also designated the bald, or close-cropped head.

Lindley is English. It is derived from the name of an English village meaning: glade where flax was grown. It is derived from Old English meaning: lime tree & wood. The name was given to those from Lindley, a place in West yorkshire, England.

Ritter is German. It designated a military servant to the king or great baron, he was mounted soldier owing loyalty to his liege lord bound to fight in his quarrels. It is derived from the nickname which called attention to noblebirth or exalted rank. It means "Knight".

Roper is English. It referred to one who made & sold rope.

Snow is English. It denoted a person who was born during a snow storm, although sometimes alludes to the man with a snow white head.

Tripper is English & it means dancer.

Wood is English. It designated the original bearer who dwelt in or near small wood or shaw. It's an occupational name for a woodcutter or forester. It was also a nickname for a mad, violent, or eccentric person.
vote up1vote down

No replies