LIBBY

This interesting and unusual surname is of early medieval English/Viking-Norman origin, and derives from a pet form of the medieval female given name "Ibb", a shortened form of "Isabel(le)". Isabel is by origin a variant of "Elizabeth", a name which owed its popularity in medieval Europe to the fact that it was borne by John the Baptist's mother. The original form of the name was the Hebrew "Elisheva", "my God (is my) oath".

The form Isabella originated in Spain, and was introduced in this form into France, from where it was brought to England. There it achieved considerable popularity, and has led to the formation of the surnames Hibb, Ibbs, Ibson and Lebby.

Libby itself is chiefly associated with the Devonshire region. One John, son of Libbe, appears in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield (Yorkshire) in 1298, and John Libb is listed in the Register of the University of Oxford of 1506. Other early examples include: Susanna Libbie, who married Richard Mansfield on September 7th 1577, in London; John Liby, who married Phillipe Burt on June 18th 1606, at Yealmpton, Devonshire; and the marriage of John Libby and Abbigail Harris on November 6th 1666, at Plymouth, Devonshire. The family Coat of Arms depicts on an ermine shield a silver lion rampant. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Lybbe, a chaplain, which was dated 1506, in the "Register of the University of Oxford", during the reign of King Henry V11, known as "Henry Tudor", 1485 - 1509.

AMOND

This is a famous Anglo-French surname, but one which can be of early Norse-Viking or later French and German origins of which it has three. The first origin is from the Norse-Viking personal name Hamundr, meaning "High protection" and possibly introduced into Britain in about the 7th century. The second is also Norse-Viking and of the same period, but from Amundr, meaning "Ancester protection".

It appears among the very earliest surnames found in England, where it was introduced as a family cognomen at the time of the conquest by some officers of the invading Norman army.

SHARROCK

The name Sharrock originates from the village of Shorrock Green, in the county of Lancashire, and has spread widely, although as Sharrock and Sharrocks its greatest popularity remains in its homeland. The name is apparently from a mix of Norse-Viking 'sker', and Norman-French 'roche' to give a meaning of 'boundary rock' or similar.

JORDAN

First found in Exeter, where they were granted lands by King William for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. The Jordans were descended from Jordan de Cantington, one of the nobles who was a companion of King William, Duke of Normandy . Jordan de Cantington was also known later as Jordan of Exeter from the area in which he settled and was granted lands in England .

This noble family accompanied Strongbow , Earl of Pembroke, in his invasion of Ireland in 1172, and acquired lands from King John the English King. The name first became popular in Europe as a personal name during the Crusades when it was a common practice for Crusaders to bring back vials containing the waters of this river to use in the baptism of their children.

VINCENT

The Surname of Vincent is first documented in the "doomsday book." The book was a collection of the names and land owned in britain from 1066 to 1086 when the book was finally finished. The book was an order of King William a "Norman", who conquered britain from the newly deemed land of Normandy in what is northern france today. The Normans brought the name with them from the netherlands and surround areas as the normans were vikings who by peace agreement with france took control northern france deemed Normandy.

The Norman or Viking Language was old frankish, which even farther back was what is called Proto-Germanic. This proto-germanic which is believed to have existed sometime after 1500bc was spoken by the earlist germanic tribes of northern europe and the netherlands. The Mixing of The Proto-Germanic and Latin when the Southern Europeans invaded in as early as the 3rd century is believe to be where VINCENT could have first been seen.

The Latin "Vincere", meaning To Conquer could have been the conception point for the surname when mixed with the Proto-Germanic. This places the original conception of the Vincent surname sometime between 200AD and 900AD. Which it would to have happened from when the early germans fought the southern europeans all the way to when the vikings expanded to northern france.

MORRIS

The earliest branch of the family came to England with the army of William the Conqueror. It is certain that several leaders in the army of William the Conqueror bore the name of Morris or Maurice. William erected the Battle Abbey on the field of Hastings to commemorate his victory, and several by the name of Morris are inscribed on this historic monument and were rewarded with grants of land in England. One of these was a Maurice who was one of William's chaplains, and who was made Bishop of London. He is said to have crowned Henry I in 1100 A.D.

One prominent branch of the continental family is found in Ireland. The name Morris in Ireland is of Norman origin from the names de Maries and de Marisco. The name is also used interchangeably with Morrissey and Fitzmaurice. The main Sept bearing this name was originally based in County Galway in the West of Ireland. They have a separate crest

CARPENTER

The line of Carpenters did not descend from those working at the profession of carpentry. It is said to be descended from the De Melun Family. There was a knight by the name of William at the battle of Hastings, 1066 AD. In the midst of the battle he was crippled and he lost his sword. He was forced to fight on foot. He began swinging at his enemies with his battle axe. William survived the battle. His friends rewarded him with the title "Le Carpentier" His strength and ability with the English battle axe was associated with the strength and precision of the carpenter trade.

William, the Knight of Melun became known as "William the Carpenter". His descendents became known as "of the carpenter" and later shortened to the surname, Carpenter.

Source:
"Guillaume I., of name, Viscount of Melun, was surnamed, Carpenter, because no weapon (opponents weapons that is) could be found that could resist the power of strikes. The heaviness of his (weapons) resulted in him being feared in combats.

Grand Dictionaire Universel DU XIX Siecle Paris 1873 Tome 10 (p. 1488)