Has anyone gone back far enough to determine the origination of the name,and which country has pride of authorship? I have corresponded with Eakins' in Ireland,England and Scotland with no absolute answer. It does surely seem to be from one of those areas.
One fellow advised me that it comes from old english,and is somehow representative of those who "stripped bark",for purposes of tanning leather.
Thanks...I'm finding all this rather fascinating. My kin,to three layers back,are from Iowa,via Ohio/Indiana.