“I suppose Shakespeare imparted some measure of dignity?”
Yes, I suppose that’s right. And it’s not a super common name. I like this story very much. I’ve never met a person named Shakespeare, but if I ever do maybe I’ll ask them about this.
My friend once knew a fellow named Marvell and yes he was distantly related to Andrew Marvell the poet.
Knew a guy named Dvorak, and he was a second cousin twice(?) removed of the Composer. My daughter went to school with a girl named Bell, and she was the great-granddaughter of Alexander.