Why do some people have surnames of colours - White, Black or Brown
But not blue, red, yellow, pink, purple or indigo? Or do you know someone with that name?
51-55, M
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UDontKnowMe · 80-89, M
According to "The Oxford Names Companion" Black, White, Gray,and Brown are all nicknames referring to peoples appearance, mainly hair/beard colour, Red is a variation of Read which comes from a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Green is one of the most common and widespread of English surnames and according to the book is either a nickname for someone fond of dressing in this colour, someone who had played a part in the 'Green Man' on May Day, or a topographic name for someone who lived near the village green. The other colours were apparently not applicable to peoples appearance.
