Many names are words, or have interesting words associated with them. I wish I still had access to a thin volume by a learned English clergyman, from which I learned several very interesting things.For one, the ending "cock" has nothing to do with roosters or generative organs. It is a diminutive as in "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross.." So Hancock orinally meant Little John. But I admit I nearly fell down laughing when I saw on office door name of my wife's obstetrician: Mabel C. Hiscock. I have Alcock way back, and they didn't know origin of name, as on coat of arms was motto suggesting it meant always on the alert.
I had instructor in college named Scrimshaw, who thought the name came from elaborately carved bone or ivory objects whalers made to combat boredom on long voyages. The book I mentioned traced the name back to a very early military term relating to cavalry specialist who made attacks on enemy intended to disrupt their formations in a way that could be exploited by main force.The original was something like "skirmishouwer " and survives in our word skirmish.
Perhaps others can think of more names or words to make an interesting thread.
For instance there was a well known physician in Boston named Janeway. I was surprised when I learned that it was derived from "Genove" meaning from Genoa.
And the name Pettengill originally meant "from Portugal".
And that "Fuller" came from a process in make woolen fabric.
c'mon, there are lots more of them, and many are interesting.
griffin is from the heraldry design. a griffin is a mythical creature with head of an eagle and body of a lion that is the guardian of the king/lord gold. a few years ago Archiology magazine had a story-- about how the legand of the griffon might have developed-- from some of the earliest finds of dinosaur bones, especially rich in an area of the gobi desert, where gold is also found. Miners used the fossilized bones to warn other to beware of the "griffin" so dangerous and fierce, they could never catch one alive, but could display the bones of "dead ones".
there are many "trade names" like fuller, that we no longer recognize. a reeve was a sort of animal "policeman" -- and could fine the owner of livestock that had cause damage, (broken a fence, eaten crops, etc).
...a reeve was a sort of animal "policeman"...And of course, the "shire reeve" eventually became the "sheriff". I have always loved that particular etymology.
lusy 
I've been told that the name Walker had connections to the woolen industry in a very old Scots dialect, a "waulker" (sp?) being the original.
Moore of course is easy ... someone from the moors.
wow
The_Walkers_literally_walked_and_walked_using_their_feet_to
do_something_to_improve_the_wool.I_never_did_see_details.
And_Chandlers_supplied_candles_and_other_essentials_to_ships.I_think_chandler_was_Today's_Word_not_too_long_ago.
And_Chaucer_meant_shoe_maker.There_must_be_a_lot_more_interesting_ones.
I just got my main computer to work. Had a virus. Walker had something to do with getting rid of burrs, etc., in wool.Then it could be teased (source of word for kids teasing each other) and then process of spinning could begin.
Another occupation name: Thayer - made a "tea" out of tree bark that would tan leather.
A recent Today's Word reminds me of merriment the Brits have with Americans trying to prove they are armigerous. Most of them were connected to noble families only on the wrong side of the blankets. I enjoyed Mark Twain's story about the American whose family had a tradition that they emigrated to American due to the unfortunate outcome of a cavalry engagement. Research in England disclosed that "cavalry engagement" had actually been horse stealing.
I would be interested to know if anyone on the board (especially our German correspondents) could tell me the etymology or meaning of my family name-- Gierschick. With the help of a German/English dictionary, my family has established that "Gier" means (gulp) "greed" or "greediness." However, the "schick" part has us mystified. (No quips about razors, I beg of you!) Oddly, a highschool classmate of my brother's had the last name Giersch. My father is of the opinion that the "ick" ending of our name is an honorific of some sort.
In NEHGR I read that the word "hubbub" originated in Massachusetts where Indians had a gambling game similar to dice using knuckle bones, and yelling loudly "Hub!" "Hub!" hoping telekinetically to cause favorable cast of dice.
However, the "schick" part has us mystified
Well, "schick" as an adverb means stylish, as a verb it means to be suitable for or to be favorable. So, I guess your name means "stylish greed".
Dear Jazz: Please reconsider. I suspect very strongly you may in trying to jest have exacerbated a longstanding source of discomfort to a very pleasant person. The first part of that name is so old I suspect very strongly that it meant something quite acceptable in the beginning. wwh
Dear wwh and JazzO, don't worry about inadvertantly hurting my feelings. I was just curious about my family name-- the "greedy" part is definitely not a longstanding source of discomfort for my family-- more amusing than embarrassing. By the way, does "schick" really mean stylish? How cool! I shall inform my family posthaste.
Ah, but dear Bill, you will recall that the "greed" part was established by the fair maiden herself.
Would you admonish Jazzo for adding the stylish flair??
Or, once again, have i completely missed out on the ch*tongue*eek nature of a post?
I'm glad that Rapunzel is tougher than I thought. Her having mentioned the greed part was no assurance that she would care to have others do so. Sort of galgenhumor. I don't like name jokes. Most of them are stupid and mean. Of course I do not care to have the H in my last name replaced with a C. When it happens, my retort is "kiss it."
One more word learned in NEHGR is "goody" used as a title of sorts for the ladies on the bottom of the social totem pole in Colonial days. The only surviving use of it I have encountered is for the ladies who tidy up the Harvard dorms.
Before anyone bothers to correct me, I know that just as Harvard has a Yard instead of a campus, it has Houses, not dorms.