QUAINT NORMAN SURNAMES. [To THE EDITOR or Tas "SPECTATOR. "] SIR,—The
notice of M. de Beaucoudray's book, "Le Langago Normand au Debut du XXe Siecle," in the Spectator of Sep- tember 21st suggests to me the idea that a study of surnames in Normandy might be interesting. Many of these are very quaint, some referring to characteristics, such as Letetu, Lecornu, Lamoureux; some to circumstances, Le Desire, Le Demands, Dieudonne, Maldonne ; others to race, Langlois. Le Danois, Le Normand or Lenormand, Le Gallois. Bailleul
is evidently Baliol, but what could be the origin of Croque- vielle, probably Croquevieille? All of these names I met with at Caen. In response to a general inquiry for a man to look after a pony. a candidate presented himself one day at the chateau. He was a tall, spare, toil-worn individual with light wispy hair and blue eyes, and he wore the blouse of the peasant and trousers of an exaggerated shepherd's plaid pattern. At the end of the interview, being asked for his name, he said, " Arthur de Montmorency." I was unable to repress an exclamation of pleased surprise : " C'est un beau nom!" " Oui, Madame, mais," rather wearily, " faut gagner ea vie tout de meme."—I am, Sir, &c., HELEN E. SHAND.
Chatou.
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