Formerly where a defendant pleaded a local custom, for instance, a cus: torn of the city of London, it was necessary for him to "surmise," that is, to suggest that such custom should be certified to the court by the mouth of the recorder, and without such a surmise the issue was to be tried by the country as other issues of fact are. 1 Burrows, 251; Vin. Abr. 246. A surmise is … [Read more...]

A name which is added to the Christian name, and which, in modern times, have become family names. 2. They are called surnames, because originally they were written over the name in judicial writings and contracts. They were and are still used for the purpose of distinguishing persons of the same name. They were taken from something attached to the persons assuming them, as … [Read more...]

In English ecclesiastical law. Fees payable on ministerial offices of the church; such as baptisms, funerals, marriages, etc … [Read more...]

Lat. Last; the last. Supremus est quem nemo sequitar. He is last whom no one follows. Dig. 50,16, 92. … [Read more...]

That which is left from a fund which has been appropriated for a particular purpose; the remainder of a thing; the overplus the residue. 2. The following is an example of a surplus; if a thing be put in pledge as a security to pay one hundred dollars, and it be afterwards sold for one hundred and fifty dollars, the fifty dollars will be the surplus. That which remains of a fund … [Read more...]