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Dictionary of
Family Names
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Origin and Etymology of the Surname ALEXANDER.
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From A
Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, by C. W. E. Bardsley, A.
Bardsley, 1901.
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ALEXANDER.
A baptismal name meaning "the son of Alexander"; v.
Saunders. This personal name is common to all Europe, and in England
was an early favourite. Stories of prodigious achievements, many of them
miraculous, caused it to be immensely admired. Miss Yonge (i. 199-202)
quotes Chaucer as saying—
"Alisaundres
storie is commune,
That everie wight that hath discrecion
Hath herde somewhat."
➩
Composed
of Greek alexein "to defend" and andros "man," hence
"defender of man." The famous conqueror, Alexander the
Great, was the son of Philip and Olympias. The name is also found in the New
Testament where it is the name of a son of Simon, a relative of the high priest (Acts 19:33).
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Reference
Materials
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| Etymology
Dictionary Index |
| A, B,
C, D, E,
F, G, H,
I, J, K,
L, M, N,
O, P, Q,
R, S, T,
U, V, W,
X, Y, Z
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| Family
Names Index |
| A,
B, C,
D, E,
F, G,
H, I,
J, K,
L, M,
N, O,
P, Q,
R, S,
T, U,
V, W,
X, Y,
Z
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