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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Wiggy on Wednesday 09 February 11 02:10 GMT (UK)

Title: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Wednesday 09 February 11 02:10 GMT (UK)
Been reading one of Seoras's threads and Redroger mentioned a thread on names which match or are suitable for occupations - which, when you think about it, is where many surnames started anyhow -

So  - how many people still have names which match occupations - or relate to them??

I can start the ball rolling with a few from my nursing days

Dr Cartilege, Sister Blood, Dr Nurse,   all worked at the hospital where I trained.

Wiggy  :)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: angelfish58 on Wednesday 09 February 11 08:48 GMT (UK)
An Income Tax inspector called Mr Mordue  ;)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Wednesday 09 February 11 09:05 GMT (UK)
Love that one!!! 
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Deb D on Wednesday 09 February 11 11:05 GMT (UK)
The first one that comes to mind was a GP we used to know when I was little; - Dr Doctor.

I have a feeling I might remember more, if I think long and hard, and give the grey matter a nudge!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: carol8353 on Wednesday 09 February 11 12:15 GMT (UK)
I used to attend a pottery class run by a Miss Potter!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 09 February 11 12:22 GMT (UK)
Our school dentist, many years ago, was Dr Skull.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: groom on Wednesday 09 February 11 12:39 GMT (UK)
When I was teaching, one of my colleagues was called Mr Schmach (pronounced smack)  ::) ::)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: angelfish58 on Wednesday 09 February 11 13:09 GMT (UK)
When I was teaching, one of my colleagues was called Mr Schmach (pronounced smack)  ::) ::)

Ooh,that reminds me,we had a teacher called Spankey  ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: chinakay on Wednesday 09 February 11 16:36 GMT (UK)
Well, there's that famous guy in the Philippines, Cardinal Sin.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Deb D on Wednesday 09 February 11 23:04 GMT (UK)
The alleged inventor of the flushing toilet (although I believe there are counter-claims), ... Mr Crapper
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Wednesday 09 February 11 23:45 GMT (UK)
I have rellies who were Tailors - named Dunning - I have read lots of books where the tailors were always dunning the 'not so rich and upper crust'  for their dues!!   but I think that may be stretching it a bit!!

how about Schanks the Butcher though!!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 10 February 11 07:55 GMT (UK)
The alleged inventor of the flushing toilet (although I believe there are counter-claims), ... Mr Crapper

Absolutely true - that's where the words "crapper" and "crap" came from.

I used to know someone by the name of Crapper - he changed the spelling, to avoid his son getting bullied at school.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Thursday 10 February 11 19:01 GMT (UK)
When I was teaching, one of my colleagues was called Mr Schmach (pronounced smack)  ::) ::)

Ooh,that reminds me,we had a teacher called Spankey  ;D

Kinky!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Thursday 10 February 11 19:03 GMT (UK)
The alleged inventor of the flushing toilet (although I believe there are counter-claims), ... Mr Crapper

Absolutely true - that's where the words "crapper" and "crap" came from.

I used to know someone by the name of Crapper - he changed the spelling, to avoid his son getting bullied at school.

Whilst it is true this is the origin of the word crap etc. it is not true he invented the flushing toilet. Henry VIII had one at least 300 years earlier.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Thursday 10 February 11 20:19 GMT (UK)
C'mon Redroger - 'twas your idea that I stole for this thread . . . give some examples!!
The alleged inventor of the flushing toilet (although I believe there are counter-claims), ... Mr Crapper

Absolutely true - that's where the words "crapper" and "crap" came from.

I used to know someone by the name of Crapper - he changed the spelling, to avoid his son getting bullied at school.

Whilst it is true this is the origin of the word crap etc. it is not true he invented the flushing toilet. Henry VIII had one at least 300 years earlier.

Bet the Romans weren't far off having flushing loos either!!!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Thursday 10 February 11 20:33 GMT (UK)
They certainly weren't far off! How about this one from a 19th century Lincolnshire census? PIMP Wonder what his ancestors did?
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Thursday 10 February 11 20:59 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D  ;D  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Deb D on Thursday 10 February 11 23:01 GMT (UK)
This is getting OT, sorry .... however I've just been watching a Discovery Channel program about Macchu Picchu ... apparently they had flushing toilets, and showers as well, in the royal palace.  Missed the bit about where the Incas fitted into the timeline, though.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Friday 11 February 11 20:00 GMT (UK)
After the Romans but before Henry VIII
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: coombs on Friday 11 February 11 20:50 GMT (UK)
I have come across a few people with the surname Taylor who were tailors.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: rachelralph on Friday 11 February 11 21:09 GMT (UK)
our local weather presenter is called sara blizzard, always makes me smile :)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: coombs on Friday 11 February 11 21:41 GMT (UK)
Very apt surname. Maybe that made her become a weather forecaster.

Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: JustLooking on Friday 11 February 11 22:52 GMT (UK)
A few years ago, BBC Scotland had Heather with the Weather and her job share called Gail  :-X
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: snaptoo on Monday 14 February 11 17:29 GMT (UK)
Many years ago, we had a shop in town - J E Weller the ................Jeweller!!!!!!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: meles on Monday 14 February 11 17:52 GMT (UK)

Whilst it is true this is the origin of the word crap etc. it is not true he invented the flushing toilet. Henry VIII had one at least 300 years earlier.

True. I had a trip to Hampton Court a while ago. He had his people dig a canal (the Longford River) from where Heathrow Airport is now to the Palace (some 15 miles) to bring fresh water to Hampton Court "to flush the privies and wash the vegetables".

One trusts not in that order...  ::) :o

meles
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: marcie dean on Monday 14 February 11 18:16 GMT (UK)
Bet the Romans weren't far off having flushing loos either!!!
Quote
Yes but knowing them, as they invented the steam baths, it would probably be a steam clean loo, convenient (ignore the pun) in more ways than one.
Personal hygene, cleaning the loo, and keeping the seat warm in winter, comes to mind.

marcie
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Tuesday 15 February 11 17:47 GMT (UK)

Whilst it is true this is the origin of the word crap etc. it is not true he invented the flushing toilet. Henry VIII had one at least 300 years earlier.

True. I had a trip to Hampton Court a while ago. He had his people dig a canal (the Longford River) from where Heathrow Airport is now to the Palace (some 15 miles) to bring fresh water to Hampton Court "to flush the privies and wash the vegetables".

One trusts not in that order...  ::) :o

meles
It might account for many epidemics if that were the case! Could be called getting your own back.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Geoff-E on Wednesday 09 March 11 08:38 GMT (UK)
The alleged inventor of the flushing toilet (although I believe there are counter-claims), ... Mr Crapper

Absolutely true - that's where the words "crapper" and "crap" came from.

Apparently not http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=crap

There was someone on TV earlier talking about birds - a Mr AVERY :)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 09 March 11 08:42 GMT (UK)
Apologies! Story given to me by a Mr Crapper!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Wednesday 09 March 11 08:47 GMT (UK)
Well we had a member of staff at school whose married name was Crapper - no wonder she used her maiden name!!   ;) ;)

That's an interesting link Geoff!!  Will go looking there for other interesting words!   Do you happen to have a link for origins of sayings/cliches/the other word (which I can't remember but I think it starts with 'a'!!)

KGarrad
- he was bound to really - you'd have to have some reason for sticking with it wouldn't you!!    ;D ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 09 March 11 08:59 GMT (UK)
KGarrad
- he was bound to really - you'd have to have some reason for sticking with it wouldn't you!!    ;D ;D

But he changed the family name (can't say what to, as the family are still living!) to protect his newborn son when he started school.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: LoneyBones on Wednesday 09 March 11 09:55 GMT (UK)
The new treasurer of a local group is Ms Cash.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: kathb on Wednesday 09 March 11 10:15 GMT (UK)
We had a surgeon with the name Mr Heal.  This gives confidence to patients.
Regards
Kathb
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: LoneyBones on Wednesday 09 March 11 10:37 GMT (UK)
Many years ago... ::)  when I was a member of the Storemen and Packers Union, the union rep was mister Packer.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: marcie dean on Wednesday 09 March 11 16:50 GMT (UK)
We had a surgeon with the name Mr Heal.  This gives confidence to patients.
Regards
Kathb

Our head/chief surgeon in Dorset is Mr. Pain.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: patrexjax on Wednesday 09 March 11 17:24 GMT (UK)
Hi! We have a urologist in town who is "Dr. Waters"!!   ;D   Pat
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: carol8353 on Wednesday 09 March 11 18:21 GMT (UK)
Hi! We have a urologist in town who is "Dr. Waters"!!   ;D   Pat

You're not taking the p*** are you Pat?

 ;D

Carol
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: LoneyBones on Thursday 10 March 11 00:04 GMT (UK)
I had some friends named Kopp, but he was a postie and she was a nurse. But they had three sons...one of them might have grown up to be a policeman. ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: patrexjax on Thursday 10 March 11 02:21 GMT (UK)
Hi Carol, No, not taking the pill........Mother Nature took care of that quite a few years ago!   ;D  Pat
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Thursday 10 March 11 03:03 GMT (UK)
I knew a policemen called Forster (It's true)

- but I don't think he did - I think she went willingly!!

Oh dear - to what depths have we sunk!  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: famhistbuff on Thursday 10 March 11 04:44 GMT (UK)
The vet we used in Adelaide many years ago was Dr. Woof.  ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Thursday 10 March 11 04:48 GMT (UK)
Was that real - or just what everyone called him??   ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: famhistbuff on Thursday 10 March 11 21:48 GMT (UK)
Absolutely real. Lol   There were 2 of them! I wish I had taken a picture of the sign. An iPhone would have come in handy back then.  ::)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: groom on Thursday 10 March 11 22:32 GMT (UK)
Absolutely real. Lol   There were 2 of them!


So did the sign say, "Woof Woof Vets"?  ;D ;D ;D

There was a dentist here called Peter Paine, seems it's the sort of name that is attracted to the medical profession.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: LoneyBones on Sunday 13 March 11 10:21 GMT (UK)
Mrs Pawsey was a vet here. But she was a vet before she married Mr Pawsey. She was Miss Pugh.  ::)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Sunday 13 March 11 10:46 GMT (UK)
Well they both fit admirably!!  :D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: marcie dean on Sunday 13 March 11 15:13 GMT (UK)
There was a dentist here called Peter Paine, seems it's the sort of name that is attracted to the medical profession.
Quote

Perhaps they were brothers.!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Monday 14 March 11 17:02 GMT (UK)
There was a dentist here called Peter Paine, seems it's the sort of name that is attracted to the medical profession.
Quote

Perhaps they were brothers.!
Was there not a few years ago a lady Madam Cynthia Payne who provided sado-masochist services?
Hope no offence taken.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: cati on Monday 14 March 11 17:07 GMT (UK)
We have a firm of estate agents called Doolittle and Dalley...
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: groom on Monday 14 March 11 17:21 GMT (UK)
There's a solicitor in Warwickshire called Swindle.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: cati on Monday 14 March 11 17:36 GMT (UK)
WhenI was at school our piano teacher was a Miss C Sharp... ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Monday 14 March 11 17:38 GMT (UK)
I knew a man named Minor who worked for the national Coal Board.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: cati on Monday 14 March 11 17:41 GMT (UK)
and my great grandad Spicer was a grocer.

No one commented yet on the number of undertakers named De'Ath?
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Monday 14 March 11 20:16 GMT (UK)
and my great grandad Spicer was a grocer.

No one commented yet on the number of undertakers named De'Ath?

do you know any Cati?   ;D ;D

We have a big firm of undertakers named Le Pine - I suppose that could be taken as reasonable -  ;)   or is that pushing it?
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: cati on Monday 14 March 11 20:22 GMT (UK)
There was a firm of undertakers in Ipswich some 20 years ago by the  name of De'Ath...
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Monday 14 March 11 20:30 GMT (UK)
Hmmm - unfortunate!   ;)   Bet they copped it.  Did they make a point of how the name was pronounced??   ::) ;D

Love Miss C Sharp the music teacher!!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: marcie dean on Monday 14 March 11 22:28 GMT (UK)
Quote from: groom
There's a solicitor in Warwickshire called Swindle.  ;D ;D
[quote
We have a firm of estate agents called Doolittle and Dalley...

Perhaps they should get together and become a Corporate

marcie
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Monday 14 March 11 23:41 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: cati on Tuesday 15 March 11 11:30 GMT (UK)
Hmmm - unfortunate!   ;)   Bet they copped it.  Did they make a point of how the name was pronounced??   ::) ;D

De'Ath/Death was apparently not uncommon in East Anglia as a surname amongst those who made coffins/dealt in some way with the burial of the dead:  I can only think that the name originated in a nickname in the same way as a friend of mine in Wales is known as "Bob the Shop"

There was a repeated episode of 'Minder' a few weeks ago in which the undertaker was called 'Death' - "pronounced Dee - ath if you don't mind"
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Phil Goater on Tuesday 15 March 11 20:50 GMT (UK)
When I was at school Mr.Madox was in charge of the 1st XV.

Phil
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: LizzieL on Tuesday 15 March 11 21:10 GMT (UK)
When I was a child our local doctor was Dr Boucher ( pronounced Bowtcher) - French for Butcher!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Tuesday 15 March 11 21:27 GMT (UK)
do hope he wasn't - a butcher I mean!   ::)   ;)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Seoras on Tuesday 15 March 11 21:31 GMT (UK)
Angus McCoteup ..............cloakroom attendant ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Wednesday 16 March 11 01:04 GMT (UK)
Did you make that up - I've never seen that name before!!!!   I think you are cheating George!!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Seoras on Wednesday 16 March 11 01:23 GMT (UK)
It's absolutely true I tell 'ee,he was a friend of the dentist Phil McCavity ;D.

George.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Wiggy on Wednesday 16 March 11 01:34 GMT (UK)
yeah right - as I thought!   ;)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Seoras on Wednesday 16 March 11 14:16 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ok serious now,I did once have a Miss English that taught us English.It might not seem much now but 12 year old boys are easily amused.

George.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 16 March 11 14:23 GMT (UK)
do hope he wasn't - a butcher I mean!   ::)   ;)
Better name for a surgeon. Have you visited the dentist Mr. Fang at 2.30 Think about it. Needs at least 10 milliseconds!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: carol8353 on Wednesday 16 March 11 14:28 GMT (UK)
I had a dentist appt on Monday at 2-30...it didn't before I went but it does now!!!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 16 March 11 14:30 GMT (UK)
Mr Fang would have pulled it!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: carol8353 on Wednesday 16 March 11 14:36 GMT (UK)
Fangs for that Roger  ;)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Skoosh on Wednesday 16 March 11 16:04 GMT (UK)
There's a post on the site re' a family of bakers named Breed.       Skoosh.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 16 March 11 16:39 GMT (UK)
There's a post on the site re' a family of bakers named Breed.       Skoosh.
That would be a better name for a MMB inseminator!
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: carol8353 on Wednesday 16 March 11 16:46 GMT (UK)
There's a post on the site re' a family of bakers named Breed.       Skoosh.
That would be a better name for a MMB inseminator!

 ;D ;D ;D 8)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: LoneyBones on Thursday 17 March 11 06:53 GMT (UK)
;D ;D ;D ok serious now,I did once have a Miss English that taught us English.It might not seem much now but 12 year old boys are easily amused.

George.
So have 12 year old girls, we were all very amused when our Miss White married Mr Black from the boy's school.  ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: conahy calling on Wednesday 06 November 13 22:31 GMT (UK)
I know a vet called LAMBE,  a garden designer GREENE  and a pig farmer Hogg
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Meezer on Thursday 07 November 13 23:36 GMT (UK)
I knew of a family with the surname Scarlet and both father and son had very ruddy complexions - often wondered whether that was a family characteristic that had come down through the ages hence the name?
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Friday 08 November 13 17:29 GMT (UK)
I knew of a family with the surname Scarlet and both father and son had very ruddy complexions - often wondered whether that was a family characteristic that had come down through the ages hence the name?

Could be. I knew people with the surname Haresign. The males of the family had the hare lip feature.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Friday 08 November 13 18:14 GMT (UK)
Dr Donald Duck, Mallaig.

Iain Straine, optician, Aberdeen,

Regards

Malky
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Friday 08 November 13 18:24 GMT (UK)
Igor Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

Sir John Grant McKenzie Laws, Lord Justice of Appeal

Dr. Richard Chopp, vasectomy specalist.

Regards

Malky
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: groom on Friday 08 November 13 18:24 GMT (UK)
Years ago, when I used to catch the bus home from work I used to pass a sign that said Mr Payne - dentist. Not an appropriate name really .  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Greensleeves on Friday 08 November 13 18:26 GMT (UK)
Some years ago, the Director of Transport for Ipswich Borough Council, and therefore the man in charge of the buses, was a Mr Pickup.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Friday 08 November 13 18:28 GMT (UK)
Did Mrs Pickup walk the streets??

Regards

Malky
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: groom on Friday 08 November 13 18:29 GMT (UK)
We had a teacher called Mr Schmack.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Maggie. on Friday 08 November 13 18:31 GMT (UK)
I had a friend who worked in the Tax Office.  Her boss was called Mr Profit.

Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Friday 08 November 13 18:32 GMT (UK)
I always wonder about the origin of the surname Hoar. How was it spelled before the Victorian era. I am also aware that the surname Pimp shown in Victorian censuses of Lincolnshire still exists. As it does not appear in Surnames of England and Wales it obviously now has less than 5 bearers.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Greensleeves on Friday 08 November 13 18:37 GMT (UK)
You could understand why, if you had a name like Pimp, you would change it to something more socially acceptable.  Maybe a few more Pimms made their appearance
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: nanny jan on Friday 08 November 13 18:40 GMT (UK)

In the days of paying rates the letter to my parents was signed.......... B Quick.   :)
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Maggie. on Friday 08 November 13 18:48 GMT (UK)
I know of a vicar called Rev. Hallows.
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Janette on Friday 08 November 13 18:59 GMT (UK)

   Our local butcher was Mr Chopping
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: conahy calling on Friday 08 November 13 19:02 GMT (UK)
POWER electricians and POWER engine reconditioners FLOOD  water pump supplier
FLOOD  well drilling
Title: Re: Names to match Occupations -
Post by: Redroger on Friday 08 November 13 20:29 GMT (UK)
My wife's maiden name was Taylor. An early record of her ancestry spells the name Tailor, which  think nails the origin of the name fairly securely.