Why’s he called Tommy Robinson?

Appendix:

Appendix One: The Prominent names of sons, by ethnic origin of their mother in Illinois, 1985-89. This table is cited in Lieberson’s Ethnic and Racial Groups, 2000.

Bibliography

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Robinson, T. ct. Platt, G. (2014). Woolwich Beheading: EDL Leader Tommy Robinson Tweets Own Death Threats. International Business Times. Accessed on Thursday 9th may. Retrieved from: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/tommy-robinson-edl-death-threats-woolwich-terrorism-470472

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This article will conduct a literary onomastic investigation into the most popular alias of right-wing political activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, Tommy Robinson. It will seek to primarily answer the question ‘Why Tommy Robinson?’, by analysing the etymology of both the pseudonym’s first name and surname - comparing its historical, geographical and socio-political context with his birth name. This will be achieved through discussing the linguistic function of the diminutive ‘Tommy’, the prestige of personal names and the connotations that both names evoke. The aim of this is to highlight an interconnectivity between onomastic study and human psychology. Alongside demonstrating how a name can both empower and manipulate the demographic, who are directly exposed to it, and whether he is successful in achieving that. 

It’s intriguing to note that Yaxley-Lennon, an individual who propagates a proud sense of ‘Englishness’, revealed in Victoria Derbyshire’s Radio Five Live show (2013) that his parents were: “Irish immigrants to this country…” (Robinson, 2013).  Stephen took on the patronymic name Lennon, proceeding his birth, in honour of his stepfather’s name Thomas Lennon (Lindsay, 2018).  According to a Name Origin Research Database (2017), the etymology of the surname Lennon derives from Ireland, specifically from: “A pre 10th century byname O’Leannian, with other various forms…” (Brook, 1980). Nonetheless, the etymology of his birth surname Yaxley, in Hanks, Coates and McClure’s The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland (2016), is shown to have derived in England. Specifically, Norfolk in 1881 (Hanks, et al, 2016). In its current geography, Yaxley has a high rate of frequency in Britain “951”, compared to a mere rate of “7” in Ireland (Hanks, et al, 2016.) It’s also important to note according to Basil Cottle’s The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames (1967), Yaxley may also have derived from the village of the same name in Cambridgeshire (Cottle, 1967). Whilst it’s understandable that Yaxley-Lennon may have felt obliged to omit Lennon with its Irish heritage, the etymology of Yaxley clearly derived in Britain. Why would Yaxley-Lennon feel compelled to change the Yaxley component of his name? Perhaps he may have been aware of other connotations of the name Yaxley in popular culture. 

There is a minimal use of the name Yaxley in works of literary fiction, except for one standout example in J. K Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Corban Yaxley, is a dark wizard who is described as ‘Haughty, blunt and domineering’ (Rowling, 2007). In the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows novel, he is said to have: “…subscribed to the ideology of pure-blood supremacy.” (Rowling, 2007). Whilst Janet Brennan Croft identifies the first element of onomastic strategy in literary fiction is ‘the name itself – the historical baggage a name may convey’ (Brennan Croft, 2009), there is no lexical or historical associations between Yaxley and a domineering, evil persona. In fact, the only component of Brennan Croft’s theory that has any feasibility is the final component ‘the namer’. This element relates to the author’s decision to name their characters, is to give that name particular characteristics (Brennan Croft, 2009). Without any historical evidence, this would imply that Rowling had prior knowledge of Yaxley-Lennon’s political ‘philosophy’, before assigning her character the same name. Whilst this is thought-provoking, there is no solid evidence to prove that this was the naming circumstance. There is also no firm evidence that states the contrary, although he did undertake the pseudonym four years after the novel was released (Lindsay, 2018). However, the connotative link between the nature of the wizard and the nature of Yaxley-Lennon’s politics is undeniable, and perhaps Tommy Robinson offered an escape from any accumulating suspicions. 

Another possible motivation behind his creation of Tommy Robinson may have been the prestige of his birth name and those associative connotations.  The Yaxley-Lennons were Irish nationals, and it’s believed that around: “78.3% of the southern Irish population adheres to the catholic church.” (Maltby, et al, 1997) It’s probable that his parents took religious influence in naming their child (Lieberson, 2000). Appendix one, states that Steven ranked 18th in the twenty most popular Irish male names. This implies that in Yaxley-Lennon’s circumstance, Stephen adhered to its biblical etymology.  Saint Stephen appeared in the New Testament and was believed to be the first ‘Christian martyr’ (Hanks, et al, 2006). By definition, this would give Yaxley-Lennon etymological grounds to believe himself a crusader of his own cause. Yet, in a 21st century secular society, he might’ve struggled to wield the same associative powers of his name. As younger generations, especially working-class communities, become increasingly disenfranchised with religion (Inskeep, 2013).  Intriguingly, the name Stephen does predate the new testament. It seems to have derived from the ancient Greek name Stephanos, which embodies the referents: “Garland, crown, prize and glory.” (Harper, 2000) These embedded referents undeniably create a linguistic destiny leading to success. Yet, the ‘crown’ and ‘prize’ referents especially, also evoke a sense of elitism and wealth. This serves to be the first significant answer to the question ‘why Tommy Robinson?’ The etymology of Steven, whether known by his followers or not, would linguistically contrast his intention to appear relatable to working-class communities. As would a firmly religious name. These communities would presumably struggle to identify with an individual whose name has those distinguished associations, especially associations that derived outside of Britain. 

It’s understandable that Yaxley-Lennon would want to seek a title that subverts from those associations, in order to maintain an image of, as he self-professes ‘a man of the people…’ (Robinson, 2015). So, what is it about the name Tommy Robinson that fulfils that objective? There is both a social and linguistic answer to that question. Before analysing the etymology of both names, it is claimed that one influence behind Yaxley-Lennon’s decision to choose this name was his uncle (Lindsay, 2018). Yaxley-Lennon was born in Luton, where most of his family still live (Rowland Hill, 2013). During the 1980’s-1990’s, Luton’s football hooligan firm ‘The MIG crew’, headed by a Tommy Robinson, were rising to notoriety (Robinson, 2007).  Allegedly, Yaxley-Lennon’s uncle was envious of the hooligan Tommy Robinson, instructing Stephen to use the name to ‘get all the heat on him’ (Lindsay, 2018). The authentic Tommy Robinson may have strong, as Brennan Croft suggests, ‘historical baggage’ of a violent nature (Brennan Croft, 2009). Nonetheless, within the culture of football hooliganism, Robinson claims that his fellow participants associated his name with leadership and respect (Robinson, 2007).  Whilst this is not the most desirable association for wider society, within those communities, the name and what it evokes is already established and supported. Yaxley-Lennon can convey himself as a soldier-of-sorts with this alias and can mobilise a following within the working-class communities, where football is worshipped (Beider, 2011).  This societal justification is also supported by Yaxley-Lennon’s work with the newly formed Football Lads Alliance. The FLA is an anti-Islamic extremism group, consisting of ‘ordinary football fans’ (Keoghan, 2018). Yaxley-Lennon has publicly spoken addressing the group several times and is highly regarded (Bryant, et all, 2018). Moreover, it’s likely that the authentic Tommy Robinson will be well-known in that context.

With a linguistic focus, the etymology of the surname Robinson is popularly claimed to have been recorded through all the English-speaking world (Brook, 1980). It is a medieval patronymic name, that derives from the ‘Anglo-Saxon pre 7th century personal name Robert…’ (Brook, 1980). Originally, the lexical meaning of the name was ‘fame-bright’, due to its compound structure that combined “hrothi", and "berhta" (Brook, 1980). Robinson as the modern form, was first recorded in a London church register, where a Helen Robinson married in 1548 (Brook, 1980).  The popularity of the surname is widespread, and according to the genealogical website Forebears (2012), is the ‘14th most popular surname in England and Wales.’ (Verstappen, 2012) The history and geography of Robinson is firmly grounded in Britain, beyond that it seems to predominantly extend to English-speaking countries. By acknowledging this, it is logical to see why Yaxley-Lennon may gravitate to the surname, with a historical and modern recognition of being commonly used in British culture. Certainly, more so than Yaxley. Nonetheless, his desire to convey himself as more ‘common’, is also thwarted by his pseudonym’s surname, similar to Stephen. ‘fame-bright’ evokes, if not a certainty of wealth, then a sense of unique opportunities and a distinguished lifestyle.  Opportunities that will not be readily available to the clear majority of people, certainly not to those he labels as ‘the people.’ It can be debated that time must be factored into this discussion. Now, the name Robinson may bare little association with fame. But those connotations and original socio-political context can only be conveniently ignored.

It is with his pseudonym’s first name, that Yaxley-Lennon’s ideals and philosophy is almost given a physical manifestation. Tommy is a diminutive form of the name Thomas, which originated like Stephen in the new testament, as the name of Jesus’s doubtful apostle. The diminutive became solidified as an emblem of valour, heroism and British patriotism between the 17th and 19th century (Johnson, 2016). What is especially interesting in the first recordings of the name Tommy, is that the name was always paired with a generalised surname as well - Atkins (Stilwell, 2016). Although the definitive year of Tommy’s origin is unclear, the acknowledged first recording of Tommy Atkins was in 1745, during the British colonisation of Jamaica (Johnson, 2016).  The recording is a letter sent from Jamaica back to the UK, which describes a mutiny amongst troops (Johnson, 2016). The letter states that ‘Tommy Atkins behaved splendidly’ Johnson, 2016). As this year preceded the common use of Tommy Atkins to refer to soldiers, it’s inferable that this letter referred to a specific individual. Immediately, Tommy Atkins gains associative connotations of courage, heroism and dutiful obedience to the cause. These associations were reiterated once more in 1794, when the Duke of Wellington came to the aid of a dying soldier in battle, referred to as private Thomas Atkins (Johnson, 2016).  The dying soldier’s final words were: “It’s all right sir, all in a day’s work.” (Johnson, 2016). By 1815, the war office was using the name Tommy Atkins as a template that romanticised the average, brave British soldier (Stilwell, 2016), through the Duke’s recommendation. Here, we see a transition from associative meaning to direct, lexical meaning, where Tommy Atkins transcends the name of an individual and becomes the staple that unifies thousands of British soldiers. The parallels between the dying soldier and Yaxley-Lennon’s political conduct are evident. He harnesses the ‘etymological baggage’ and essence of the Tommy’s throughout history, in a seemingly dutiful attempt to ignite ‘courage’ in normal people and condemn what he would consider “mutinous behaviour” towards his country. The discourse of a loyal, unmovable soldier is manipulated in his own patriotic rhetoric- exemplified in one of his tweet’s: “Stand up for what u believe. Never be intimidated by anyone #english.” (Robinson, ct. Platt, 2014). 

Proceeding this, there was a widespread use of Tommy Atkins within popular culture.  Two renowned examples in literature are Rudyard Kipling’s (1892) Barrack-Room Ballads and William McGonagall’s (1898) Lines in Praise of Tommy Atkins.  McGonagall’s poem reiterates the associations already established earlier that century: “…very brave man… to face his foreign foes he is never afraid.” (Mcgonagall, 1892). But, what is particularly interesting about Kipling’s poem, is that it addresses the terrible way that soldiers are treated during peacetime, as opposed to the praise when defending their country (Johnson, 2016). It states: “‘I went into a theatre as sober as could be, /They gave a drunk civilian room but ‘adn’t none for me.” (Kipling, 1892).  Whilst Kipling is discussing an issue symptomatic of 19th century society and perhaps not founding a new associative meaning, it seems that Yaxley-Lennon draws upon this callous rejection of a soldier’s sacrifice too, within his embodiment of Tommy. Not only a soldier-like activist who fulfils his duty to protect his country, and as McGonagall states ‘to face foreign foes never afraid,’ (McGonagall, 1892). Also, unnervingly in his belief that he is a stoic in his bravery, not appreciated or respected for his protection of British society. An extreme representation of this debate is found in Yaxley-Lennon receiving death threats: “Since last night I've had countless threats to cut my head off. I have [contacted] police over 200 death threats. No arrests.” (Robinson, ct. Platt, 2014)

 This is the second substantial answer to the question I intend to answer, ‘Why Tommy Robinson?’ Unlike Steven, Tommy is not only associated with connotative British values, it almost acts as a superordinate in which these values reside within. The history, geography and socio-political context of the name are all rooted in Britain.  Combined with the associations linked to the ex-football hooligan, Yaxley-Lennon can depict himself as a soldier to those communities he seeks to preach to. Alongside utilising the historical discourse that he personifies bravery and duty, against what could be considered popular belief. Whilst he may be successful in ‘self-naming as an attempt to change destiny’ (Brennan Croft, 2009), the essence of Steven’s ‘martyr’ biblical etymology still willingly lies at the core of his new identity.

Acknowledging all of the lexical and semantic associations of Yaxley-Lennon’s pseudonym so far, the final answer in deciphering the question ‘Why Tommy Robinson?’, will be to analyse the linguistic function of the diminutive Tommy. The primary function of a diminutive, is to express the idea of a smaller version of the non-diminutive (Sifianou, 1992). A more abstract way that Yaxley-Lennon may harness this diminutive function in his own self-portrayal, is depicting himself as a ‘smaller’, humbler individual, which is particularly advantageous in politics. If Yaxley-Lennon is referred to by an informal, friendlier name, then people may feel more inclined to listen to a man of a similar background, than to listen to the political class. Whom they have not shared any life experiences with (Proud, 2014).   Furthermore, Brown and Levison claim that diminutives ‘implicitly gain in-group solidarity with the addressee.’ (1987:108).  They also claim that diminutives, particularly in the English language, emphasise the emotional bond between interactants (Brown, et al, 1987). Under the alias Tommy, Yaxley-Lennon can immediately assert himself as not just a leader to his followers, but a friend and a part of their community. If Brown and Levison’s theory of emphasised emotional bonds is correct, then Yaxley-Lennon’s followers may feel more obliged to abide by his mandates. The informality of Tommy grants his speeches a more conversational tone and also grants him an air of familiarity to his followers. Once more, decreasing the likelihood of alienating the addressee, which other representatives of the political class will fail to capitalise on (Proud, 2014). Not only can he manipulate his relationship with his followers, but he can also manipulate how his message is received by other countries across the world.  Yaxley-Lennon claims to represent the people of Britain, as he does in this Christian Broadcasting Network news interview (2013): “The British people are not going to sit back and take much more,” (Robinson, 2013). As CBN is an American news broadcaster, they may have heard him be referred to in the press as Tommy and infer from his informal, endearment label, that he does earnestly represent the will of British society. In Different Cultures, Different Languages, Different Speech Acts (1985), Anna Wierzbicka states that: “…diminutives seem to play a crucial role in cultures in which emotions are expected to be shown overtly.” (Wierzbicka, 1985). Here, combined with the lexical and associative associations of Tommy Atkins, Yaxley-Lennon’s alias can not only conjure links to bravery and duty, but can also validate the emotional investment to his cause. The function of the diminutive Tommy provides the third answer to ‘Why Tommy Robinson?’ If he depicts himself as our friend from a humble background who speaks passionately, as an increasingly emotional world (Davies, 2018), more people could be allured to empathise with him and his views. 

To conclude, this onomastic analysis of Steven Yaxley-Lennon and his alias, Tommy Robinson, has shown how the etymology and lexical and semantic associations attached to a name, can inform how we perceive an individual and their ideologies. Yaxley-Lennon’s motivations to undertake his new identity as Tommy Robinson seem clear. Tommy Robinson embodies, in its core, an air of British values. Of bravery, courage and loyalty to one’s country (Johnson, 2016). He has transformed himself into a soldier-like figure, but one integrated and respected by communities who may feel neglected by governments that endorse a multi-ethnic society. A goal that couldn’t be achieved with Stephen Yaxley-Lennon’s connotations of wealth, ‘crown’. Alongside its link to the dark wizard who endorses pure-blood supremacy. His role as both a leader and friend have transcended Britain’s landscape and found a favourability overseas. In 2019, he is now more popular than ever before and has been publicly endorsed by figures including the President’s son, Donald Trump Jr (Dearden, 2018). The history, geography and socio-political context of Tommy’s etymology continue to feed Yaxley-Lennon’s power. This is a testament to the importance of onomastic study and the sheer power a name can grant an individual. He has been referred to as Yaxley-Lennon and him throughout this essay, in a Rowling-esque attempt to remove his power, like those in the wizarding world who refuse to name Voldemort (Brennan Croft, 2009). Regardless of political stance, onomastic study is crucial in informing our own psychology, and in providing a more deductive answer to why certain individuals are attracted to certain names.

Written by Daniel Lovatt