[Footnote 3: This is evident from the interest the Germans have manifested, _e.g._ the younger Gesenius, in his able essay, _De Lingua Chauceri Commentationem Grammaticam_; and Edward Fiedler's _Translation of the Canterbury Tales_.] S. W. SINGER. ENGLISH SURNAMES. (Vol. v., p. 290.) I have, as most of the readers of "N. & Q." are aware, for a considerable time past turned my attention to the subject of _English Surnames_, and the sale of three editions of my work under that title shows that such a book was a desideratum. Chapters on the origin of surnames exist in Camden's _Remaines_, Verstegan's _Restitution_, and elsewhere, and there are detached notices in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ and other periodicals; but my work is the first, and as yet the _only_ independent treatise on the subject. Any one who will be at the trouble to compare my first and third editions will at once see how this inquiry has grown under my hands; but although I have collected and classified 6000 names, much still remains to be accomplished. Under this conviction, I am now engaged in the compilation of a _Dictionary of English Family Names_, which I hope to complete within the present year. My plan will include: I. The name. II. The class to which it belongs. The classes will be about twenty in number. III. The etymology of each name when necessary. IV. Definitions and remarks. V. Illustrative quotations from old English authors. VI. The century in which the name first occurs. VII. The corruptions and most remarkable variations which the name has undergone. VIII. Proverbs associated with family names, _e.g._:-- "All the _Tracys_ Have the wind in their faces," in allusion to the judgment of heaven which is said to have befallen the posterity of Wm. de Traci, one of the assassins of Thos. à Becket. IX. Anecdotes and traditions. My object in making this statement, is to solicit from the numerous and learned correspondents of "N. & Q." contributions of surnames and suggestions in furtherance of my undertaking; and from the Editor, permission to query from time to time upon the origin, date, and history of such surnames as I am unable satisfactorily to elucidate without assistance. A field so large requires the co-operation of many labourers. I have already secured the friendly aid of some of the most competent antiquaries in England; and I confidently anticipate for the forthcoming collection a degree of success proportioned to the amount of labour and research bestowed upon it.