I gather from the radio that Nick Clegg, the new leader of the UK’s Liberal Democrat party, did well in his first Prime Minister’s Questions.

Well done, Nick.

I am frequently asked if we’re related – as far as I am aware, the answer is ‘no’. It’s something that inevitably happens if you have a relatively uncommon surname.

For the record, Nick Clegg’s clegginess seems to originate in Yorkshire, but I need to stress that Clegg is a Lancashire name.

I have been told over the years it originated in Yorkshire, Liverpool, the Isle of Man, even Cornwall. No, sorry, the name comes from a place name in East Lancashire near the town of Rochdale. I can see why the confusion exists – it’s very near the Lancashire/Yorkshire border – but there’s no doubt about it. There’s even a Clegg Hall located there (see my article on it)

Anyway, go for it Nick, and don’t be ashamed. I’m sure your ancestors can be traced back to the right side of the Pennines.