I have noticed, living in Cornwall that one is referred to as Mr. Martins when one's surname is Martin. Mr. Berryman is always Mr. Berryman though. Different names fit different rules. However when referring to the family as a whole it was always "the Berrymans" or "the Martins". The Williams (always plural) were "the Williamses". Having looked at early records, both MARTINS, MARTYN, MARTIN, MARTEN were used, so perhaps the "S" is a holdover. Jim > Someone points to the home of William Bridge and asks, "Who lives there?" > "The Bridges," a man answers. > > We find Wood - Woods and other names with and without the final S. > More often than not the final S seems to indicate the entire family > and that's how the tax collector writes it. > > Italians did the same, i.e., Tedesco becomes Tedeschi. But Tedesco often > remains > unchanged. In Wales it's always Matthews but Thomas is always Thomas. > > I'd be interested in other explanations. So glad to see you on the list, > Gordon.