I WOULD like to thank all of the readers that wrote to me in response to my letter on the origins of surnames.

Nearly 300 people responded, a record for a response to any article or letter of mine on the subject and I regret the delay in responding to some of you.

Readers wrote with questions about unusual and interesting names, Valler means dweller in the Valley and Hanney could be of Irish origin or come from a place in Berkshire.

Underwater may mean dweller by the south of the stream. Summer means a minor official who summoned people to court and I am acquainted with a Peter Summer who was a long serving Hampshire County Councillor.

Please keep on writing to me, but do enclose a SAE or I may not be able to reply.

RICHARD KIDD

Danegold Close

Andover