Our Waters and Watersons are thus explained. _Antony_ has bequeathed us Tonkin, Tonson, and Tounson; _Philip_, Phipps, Phillips, and Philpotts (_i.e._ Philipot, that is, little Philip, a pet name). A curious form of Philpot may be seen in the Directory in the shape of Fillpot. This reminds us that many a play has been made on the name. It was not so very long ago that Punch facetiously remarked upon the fact that the newly elected Bishop of Worcester was Philpott, the then Bishop of Exeter being the celebrated Philpotts,— “‘A good appointment? No, it’s not,’ Said old beer-drinking Peter Watts; ‘At Worcester one but hears “Philpott,” At generous Exeter “Philpotts.”’” A large number of patronymics are to be seen in the surnames that come under the division “N” in the Directory. In the old song “Joan to the Maypole” it is said,— “Nan, Noll, Kate, Moll, Brave lasses, have lads to attend ’em: Hodge, Nick, Tom, Dick, Brave country dancers, who can amend ’em?” “Nan” stands for Anna or Hannah, Noll for Olive or Oliver, in this case Olive, a girl’s name. In fact, every name that began with a vowel was turned into a pet form beginning with “N.” Edward became Ned, and Emma Nem. Thus in St. Peter’s, Cornhill, the register says,— “Sept. 20, 1577. Fryday, buryed, Nem Carye, daughter of Harry Carye.” Humphrey became Nump, and Abel, Nāb. In Ben Jonson’s “Alchemist,” the tobacco man Abel addresses Face,— “Yes, sir; I have another thing I would impart,” to which Face replies,— “Out with it, Nāb.” Again, Isabella became Nib. The result of this is, that such surnames as Nibbs, Nabbs, and Nemms or Neams, are common. Even Nance, which figures twice in the Postal Directory, is just as likely to be the old “Nans,” from Anna, as from the town of Nantes. The owner can take his choice, however, and probably will prefer the local origin. Talking of girls’ names, we may notice how many surnames owe their origin to Matilda, Emma, Isabella, and Petronilla. There are pages of Tillotsons, Tillots, Tilletts, Tilts, and Tills, all from the old pet form Till. Emma, too, is commemorated in little companies of Emms, Emps, Emsons, Empsons, Emmotts, Emmetts, and Emmotsons; while Isabella is not far behind with the retinue of Ibbs, Nibbs, Ibbotts, Ibbetts, and Ibbotsons. Petronilla, the feminine form of Peter, was always known as Parnel, and is thus found in St. Peter’s, Cornhill:— “1586, Aprill 17. Sonday, christening of Parnell, daughter of William Averell, merchaunt tailor.” Hence our many Parnells and Parnalls. Mary has left us Mollison and Marriott (_i.e._ little Mary), but was never popular in England during the days of surname formation. Maria was practically unknown till the seventeenth century. As Charles Lamb says,—