Onomastic revelations

I have long considered the apparent conjunction of individuals' surnames and their occupations unworthy of comment. But having just read the list of Russell Group heads ("League table sizes up v-cs' online impact", 14 February) I am inclined to reserve judgment. In addition to the literal Russell, the list includes no fewer than two Grants, as well as Sterling, Thrift, Brink, Hood and, more laterally, Richard, Burnett, Wakeham and Sykes. Readers will have their own favourites. Mine is a former director of human resources at a well-known Midlands university by the name of Strike!

Gerry Mulhern
Queen's University Belfast