A Rose By Any Other Name

Hi everyone. Hope you are all in good shape. Spring is teasing us here in Utah. One day 64 degrees, then 2 days later, we are having snowstorm alerts.

One of the things I love is learning the origins of names. Some of my books I have put the meaning of names. It is interesting to learn more about names. In looking through the names to come up with characters. By knowing meanings behind names, makes it easier for me to determine if the characters are good or evil.

Many surnames come from locations and occupations. Some are obvious, others are interesting. Looking at many of Jane Austen’s characters are interesting if you know the meaning of the names. Here are some:

1. Fitzwilliam- from Anglo Norman word “fiz” which means  “son of” and William which means resolute protector or will power
2. Darcy- French and Irish origin. In French, was part of aristocracy. It means someone of dark hair or a dark complexion.
3. Elizabeth- a dedication to God or divine promise
4. Bennet- means blessed
5. Charles-means free man (Yeah, that one fits)
6. Bingley- habitational name from old English “bing”  meaning  hollow, and “leah” meaning  woodland clearing
7. Collins- English means son of Colin, while Irish means young warrior (most definitely doesn’t fit) or hound (that could fit as he is like a puppy at Lady Catherine’s feet), and in Welsh means someone who lives near a hazel grove)
8. Reynolds- in Latin, means ruler’s advisor, and in English it  means advice or rule (that sure fits for Mrs Reynolds, she is definitely an advisor for Darcy).
9. Wickham-means village paddock

Now, my name’s origins.

Melanie originates from Greek, translate to “black” or “blackness”

Anne originates from Hebrew name “Hannah”, meaning “grace” or “favour”

Schertz is a Mennonite, Amish, or Jewish name. It came from the area which went from Germany, Switzerland, and France. Our family came from the area when Switzerland, when it was Mennonite. It was funny, when I did a google search, it stated that the  Mennonite off shoot came to the US and settled in Ohio and central Illinois. My  family like is the one which  settled in central Illinois,  though  there aren’t  any left there any longer. Now, drum roll please…  it means jest or jester. Talk about fitting. My younger brother and I have determined to live up to our family name. So, my name means black grace jester.  

In my stories, you might note some of the characters I use frequently. Helen, Paul, Edwin, Edith, Ethel, and others, and surnames Whitaker, Crossman,Blaine, Moreland, Crossman, and more are all named for my family. I also have a family line D’Arcy who immigrated to the  US. I find it humorous that for years, I have used as a username DArcyinUtah on JAFF websites. I didn’t know about the line until after I started writing stories, and I have the line at the end of one of my books, as my mom informed me of the line.  

Well, I can say it is fun to find out the meaning behind the names. There are more that are simply the adding to their father’s name by placing “son” at the end. Many names come from where they lived or the type of work they did. Mrs Hill is a perfect example. Someone in her husband’s family tree must have lived near or on a hill.