Middle English Dictionary Entry
surnǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | surnǒun n. Also surnounne, -non, -nom(e, -num, surenome, sournoun, sor-, seur-, sirnome. |
| Etymology | OF sornom, sur-, seurnon, AF surnum, -nun, -non, -noun, sournoun; some forms in -nom(e may belong to ME surnāme n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An additional name [cp. surname n. (a)]; also, an epithet; a family name or last name [quots. 1472-3 & prob. a1425]; (b) a distinguishing name; also, a pseudonym, nom de guerre [last quot.].
Associated quotations
a
- ?1316 SMChron.(Roy 12.C.12)982 : Richard, queor de lyoun, That wes his sournoun.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)15218 : Ivdas of þa xij was an, his surnome scariot hiȝt.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)15a/b : Cognomen: a sirnome; Cognomino: to clepe by sirnome.
- ?1457 Hardyng Chron.A (Lnsd 204)p.741 : Ten men..boonde thaym..The iuggement to bide..Of kynge Edward, with longshankes by surnoun.
- (1472-3) RParl.6.37b : Please it..that every Writte..ayenst the said Murtherers..as they been named in this present Bille..be as sufficiaunt..as if they were named by name of Baptisme, surnon, and addition.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)13482 : Thow me calle..A Bocheresse..That ys verrayly my surnoun, ffor..Quyk flessh I vse for to selle.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)57 : Seide Merlyn to Vter, 'I will that thow haue surnonn of thi brother name'..And thus was..he cleped Vterpendragon.
b
- c1330(?a1300) Rich.(Auch)116/103 : Mi castel schal haue a sornoun [vrr. surnum, surnownne, surnom]; It schal be hoten þe mate griffoun.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)10208 : New troye..whanne thus amended was þat town, thanne wolde he ȝeven hit a Sewrnown, and after Logryvs Logres cald hit he.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)104/20 : Ponthus named hym Surdyte de Droyte Voy..and the surenome that he toke was by cause that he offred hym to fyght.