Zeal

Zeal
This unusual and interesting name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is one of the patronymic forms of the surname Seal, which is a good example of that fascinating group of early English surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These were given with reference to a variety of personal characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, and supposed resemblance to an animal's or bird's appearance or disposition. In this instance, the nickname was taken from the aquatic mammal, the seal, from the Olde English pre 7th Century "seolh", in Middle English "sele"; the nickname may have referred to the person's eyes, or perhaps to a plump or ungainly figure. One Roger Sele is recorded in the Norfolk Pipe Rolls of 1198, and Richard Seale is listed in the Register of the University of Oxford for 1574. In the patronymic forms of the surname, found as Seals, Seales and Seels, the final "s" is a reduced form of "son (of)". Examples of the name from Church Registers include: the recordings of the marriage of Christopher Seals and Mary Lapworth, at St. Botolph's, Bishopsgate, London, on September 24th 1654, and the christening of Robert, son of Robert Seals, in St. Peters at Arches, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, in March 1687. The Coat of Arms most associated with the name depicts a blue fesse between three black wolves' heads erased on a gold shield. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugh le Sele, which was dated circa 1113, in the "Burton Chartulary of Staffordshire", during the reign of King Henry 1, known as "The Lion of Justice", 1100 - 1135. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Zeal — • From delos, a derivative of deo to boil , to throb with heat Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Zeal     Zeal     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • zeal — zeal; zeal·less; zeal·ot·ism; zeal·ot·ry; zeal·ous; zeal·ous·ly; zeal·ous·ness; zeal·ot; un·zeal·ous·ly; …   English syllables

  • zeal — [zi:l] n [U] [Date: 1300 1400; : Late Latin; Origin: zelus, from Greek zelos] eagerness to do something, especially to achieve a particular religious or political aim religious/revolutionary/missionary etc zeal ▪ He approached the job with… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Zeal — eal (z[=e]l), n. [F. z[ e]le; cf. Pg. & It. zelo, Sp. zelo, celo; from L. zelus, Gr. ?, probably akin to ? to boil. Cf. {Yeast}, {Jealous}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favor of a person or cause;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Zeal — may refer to: * Zealotry, excessive ideological zeal * Zeal (web), an internet directory * Kingdom of Zeal, a kingdom in the Chrono Trigger video game * ZeAL indie rock band from Toronto, Ontario Canada * USS Zeal , a U.S. Navy minesweeper …   Wikipedia

  • Zeal|ot — «ZEHL uht», noun. a person who shows too much zeal; immoderate partisan; fanatic: »A band of zealots…is pushing his candidacy hard (Wall Street Journal). SYNONYM(S): bigot. ╂[< Latin zēlōtēs < Greek zēlōt < zēloûn be zealous < zêlos… …   Useful english dictionary

  • zeal|ot — «ZEHL uht», noun. a person who shows too much zeal; immoderate partisan; fanatic: »A band of zealots…is pushing his candidacy hard (Wall Street Journal). SYNONYM(S): bigot. ╂[< Latin zēlōtēs < Greek zēlōt < zēloûn be zealous < zêlos… …   Useful english dictionary

  • zeal — [ zil ] noun uncount FORMAL a lot of energy, effort, and enthusiasm: religious/revolutionary zeal In their zeal to industrialize, they got rid of too many farms …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • zeal — (n.) late 14c., from L.L. zelus zeal, emulation (Cf. O.Fr. zel, It. zelo, Sp. celo), a Church word, from Gk. zelos zeal, ardor, jealousy, which is of uncertain origin …   Etymology dictionary

  • zeal — [zēl] n. [ME zele < LL(Ec) zelus, zeal, emulation < Gr zēlos, zeal, ardor < IE base * yā , to be excited, praise > OSlav jaru, furious] intense enthusiasm, as in working for a cause; ardent endeavor or devotion; ardor; fervor SYN.… …   English World dictionary

  • zeal|ot|ry — «ZEHL uh tree», noun, plural es. 1. action or feeling characteristic of a zealot; too great zeal; fanaticism. 2. an instance of this …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”