Short Answer
Scope and source
This article lists twenty surnames that are known to have been formed from historical nicknames—often unflattering or descriptive epithets that became family names in medieval England. The selection is not a ranking or a comprehensive catalogue; it is a representative sample drawn exclusively from the GenealogyMagazine.com article “Weaselhead, Devil and Drunkard: Surnames Originating as Insults,” which examines the etymology of several surnames that originated as insults or nicknames. The article was published in 2006 with later updates through 2013, and the surnames below are cited with that source for each entry.
The surname list
| Surname | Origin/Formation | Brief explanation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hooker | Occupation‑derived nickname | Originally a maker of hooks; the name later acquired a derogatory connotation unrelated to the occupation. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Weaselhead | Descriptive nickname | Derived from a perceived sly or wily appearance, likening a person to a weasel. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Broadgirdel | Physical trait nickname | Likely referring to a broad neckline or a broad girdle worn by an ancestor. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Giddyhead | Behavioral nickname | Describes someone perceived as foolish or eccentric, literally a “giddy head.” | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Druncard (Drunkard) | Behavioral nickname | Derives from an ancestor’s reputation for excessive drinking. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Sot | Behavioral nickname | Common medieval nickname for a habitual drinker. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Badneighbor | Behavioral nickname | Describes an ancestor who was considered a troublesome neighbor. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Bastard | Patronymic or birth‑status nickname | Historically used for an illegitimate child; later became a surname. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Devil | Descriptive nickname | Used for someone perceived as wicked or devilish in character. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Hellicate (Hellcat) | Descriptive nickname | Likely refers to a ferocious or aggressive person, compared to a cat from hell. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Gabbers | Behavioral nickname | Derived from the habit of chatter or gossiping. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Piggesflesh | Physical trait nickname | Implied a person with a stout, pig‑like appearance. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Hoggesflesh | Physical trait nickname | Similar to Piggesflesh; suggests a large or fat individual. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Crotty | Physical trait nickname (Irish) | Means “hunchback,” indicating a stooped or stooped ancestor. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Fogarty | Behavioral nickname (Irish) | Describes an outlaw or someone banished from community. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Coote | Physical trait nickname | Likened a bald man to a coot bird, whose bill extends over the head. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Woodcock | Behavioral nickname | Describes a gullible person, likening them to a woodcock that is easily caught. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Le Lewed | Descriptive nickname | Implied simplicity or ignorance, not literally lewd. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Craske | Descriptive nickname (Norfolk) | Derived from French *cras* and Latin *crassus*, meaning a thick or coarse person. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
| Gadling | Behavioral nickname | Means a gossip or someone who spreads rumors. | GenealogyMagazine.com |
How to read the information
The table presents a single source for each surname’s origin and brief explanation. It does not reflect frequency, geographic distribution, or the number of bearers; those data would require a separate statistical survey. The surnames listed here are the result of a historical naming practice in medieval England (and in some Irish contexts), where an ancestor’s physical trait, behavior, or occupation was memorialised as a family name. Because the same spelling can arise independently in different regions, the list should be viewed as illustrative rather than definitive for every family history.
Patterns and context
Several surnames in the list share a common theme: they are derived from negative or pejorative descriptors. The practice of assigning such nicknames was widespread in the Middle Ages, as noted by the etymologist Charles W. E. Bardsley, whose observations on the Norman influence are referenced in the Genealogy Magazine article. Some names (e.g., Bastard) reflect social status or birth circumstances, while others (e.g., Hooker) stem from a specific occupation but later acquired a derogatory layer. The persistence of these names into modern times demonstrates how nicknames can become fixed family identifiers despite their original negative connotations.
Limitations of the list
1. The list is based on a single secondary source and therefore may omit other surnames that also fit the theme.
2. No frequency data are provided; the surnames may range from very common to very rare in contemporary populations.
3. The surnames are presented alphabetically; no attempt has been made to order them by time of origin or geographic spread.
4. Variants of the same surname (e.g., Druncard vs. Drunkard) are included as separate entries only when explicitly noted in the source.
Exploring the surnames further
Researchers can use this list as a starting point for deeper investigation. Suggested next steps include:
- Searching parish registers, tax rolls, or wills for early occurrences of the surname in a specific locality.
- Examining spelling variations in historical documents (e.g., Gadling vs. Gedling).
- Consulting dedicated surname dictionaries or the National Archives for additional context.
Editorial status
Editorial review pending. The article is based on a single cited source and has not yet been peer‑reviewed by the Select Surname List editorial team.
FAQ
Are these surnames common today?
The article does not provide frequency data; some surnames such as Hooker are common in English‑speaking countries, while others like Craske are rare. Current distribution would require a separate statistical survey.
Can a family change a derogatory surname?
In most jurisdictions, a person can legally change their surname through a court or administrative process, but this list merely describes historical origins and does not address modern legal procedures.
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