a name given by way of contempt to the Calvinists of France.

The name had its rise in the year 1560; but authors are not agreed as to its origin. The most plausible opinion, however, is that of Pasquier, who observes, that at Tours, the place where they were first thus denominated, the people had a notion, that an apparition or hobgoblin, called king Hugon, strolled about the streets in the night-time; from whence as those of the reformed religion met chiefly in the night to pray, &c. they called them Huguenots, that is, the disciples of king Hugon.