Men's Given Names from Early 13th Century England

by Talan Gwynek (Brian M. Scott)
bmscott@stratos.net

Men's Given Names from Early 13th Century England

The head names (in bold face) are for the most part those used by E. G. Withycombe in her Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names when she has discussed the name. In some cases I have used another modern form closer to the documentary ones, e.g., Hugo instead of Hugh and Milo instead of Miles. Warin is not a modern form, but it is not unfamiliar, and I have used it rather than the modern Warren. For names not treated by Withycombe I have chosen one of the forms from the custumals (minus any Latin case ending) as head name; such head names are italicized. The forms listed under each head name include not only spelling variants but also diminutives. If a single person's name occurs in more than one form, this fact is mentioned in the notes.

After each head name I have given the number of men who bore some form of that name, and the names are listed in descending order of these frequencies. For the names borne by at least 13 men I have also given two percentages. The first is the percentage of men listed who bore some form of that name. The second is the cumulative percentage of men listed who bore that name or a more common one. Thus, the name William and its variants and diminutives was borne by about one of every seven men listed. The five most common names accounted for almost 45% of the men. Not quite two-thirds of the men bore one of the ten most frequent names; and the 14 most popular names account for about three-quarters of the men listed. At the other end of the scale there are 41 names borne by just one man each, 15 borne by two each, and seven borne by three each; these 92 men are about 10.5% of the 877 men listed.

It should be remembered that these names are documentary forms; in many cases we cannot be sure what the spoken forms were.

The following abbreviations are used: CG = Continental Germanic; OBret = Old Breton; ODa = Old Danish; OE = Old English; OFr = Old French; OSw = Old Swedish; Scand. = Scandinavian.

William 126      (14.4%; 14.4%)

     Willelmus 125

     Guillelmus 1

Richard 91 (10.4%; 24.7%)

     Ricardus 90

     Richardus 1

John 70 (8.0%; 32.7%)

     Iohannes 68

     Johannes 2

Robert 58 (6.6%; 39.3%)

     Robertus 58

Hugo 47 (5.4%; 44.7%)

     Hugo 47

Roger 42 (4.8%; 49.5%)

     Rogerius 1

     Rogerus 41

Walter 37 (4.2%; 53.7%)

     Walterus 37

Thomas 36 (4.1%; 57.8%)

     Thomas 36

Ralph 34 (3.9%; 61.7%)      One of these is also recorded as Randulfus.

     Radulfus 34

Geoffrey 32 (3.6%; 65.3%)      One Galfridus is also recorded as Galefridus.

     Galefridus 2

     Galfridus 30

     Gaufridus 1

Henry 32 (3.6%; 69.0%)

     Henricus 32

Adam 28 (3.2%; 72.2%)

     Ada 4

     Adam 24

Peter 20 (2.3%; 74.5%)

     Petrus 20

Simon 18 (2.1%; 76.5%)

     Simon 5

     Symon 13

Nicholas 14 (1.6%; 78.1%)

     Nicholas 1

     Nicholaus 13

Alan 13 (1.5%; 79.6%)

     Alanus 13

Gilbert 13 (1.5%; 81.1%)

     Gilebertus 8

     Gilibertus 1

     Gillebertus 4

Stephen 13 (1.5%; 82.6%)

     Stephanus 13

Reginald 8

     Reginaldus 8

Alexander 7

     Alexander 6

     Sandre 1

Osbert 6

     Osbertus 4

     Osebertus 2

Randolph 6 One Randulfus is also recorded as Radulfus.

     Rand' 1

     Randulfus 3

     Ranulfus 2

Norman 5

     Norman 2

     Normannus 3

Eustace 5

     Eustacius 4

     Stacius 1

Andrew 4

     Andreas 4

Arnold 4 One Arnaldus = Arnold.

     Arnaldus 2

     Arnold 1

     Ernaldus 1

     Ernoldus 1

Godfrey 4

     Godefridus 4

Herbert 4

     Herbertus 4

Warin 4

     Warinus 4

Wymer 4 From OE Wigmær or CG Wigmar. Gimer is from the CG name.

     Wymare 1

     Wymerus 1

     Gimer 2

Benedict 3

     Benedictus 3

Edward 3

     Edwardus 3

Everard 3

     Everardus 3

Guy 3

     Wido 1

     Wydo 2

Jocelyn 3

     Gocelinus 3

Philip 3

     Philippus 2

     Phillipus 1

Seeman 3 From OE Sæmann.

     Seeman 2

     Seemannus 1

Albin 2 From OFr Albin, Aubin, from Latin Albinus, ultimately from albus `white'. Withycombe refers this name to Alban, to which it is not related.

     Albinus 2

Alfred 2 The Alfredus is also one of the two Alvredus.

     Alfredus 1

     Alvredus 2

Arthur 2

     Arthurus 2

Bartholomew 2

     Bartholomeus 2

David 2

     David 2

Fulke 2

     Fulco 2

Gervase 2

     Gervasius 2

Gerard 2

     Girardus 2

Godwin 2 Godwyn' = Godvynus.

     Godewinus 1

     Godwyn' 1

     Godvynus 1

Hereward 2

     Hereward 1

     Herewardus 1

Jordan 2

     Iordanus 2

Martin 2

     Martinus 2

Milo 2

     Milo 1

     Milot 1

Solomon 2

     Salomon 2

Theobald 2

     Thebaldus 1

     Theobaldus 1

Adelard 1 From OE Æðelheard or CG Adel(h)ard.

     Athelardus 1

Albert 1

     Albertus 1

Alwin 1 Grouped by Withycombe with Aylwin. Usually from OE Æðelwine or Ælfwine.

     Alwinus 1

Aylwin 1 From OE Æðelwine.

     Aylewynus 1

Beneger 1 Either a hybrid from Latin Bene- (as in Benedictus) and Germanic -ger, -gar, or a variant of Berenger.

     Beneger 1

Berenger 1

     Berengarius 1

Christopher 1

     Christofarus 1

Constantine 1

     Constantinus 1

Denis 1

     Dyonisius 1

Edric 1 From OE Eadric.

     Eddricus 1

Elias 1 They are the same person.

     Helias 1

     Helyas 1

Fray 1 An OFr name of unknown origin.

     Fray 1

Gamel 1

     Gamel 1

Godelot 1 God-el-ot, a French double diminutive of some Germanic name with first element God-.

     Godelot 1

Gregory 1

     Gregorius 1

Hamon 1

     Hamon 1

Humphrey 1

     Hunfridus 1

Ioco 1 Obscure.

     Ioco 1

Isaac 1

     Ysac 1

Lagot 1 Obscure.

     Lagot 1

Laurence 1

     Laurencius 1

Leonard 1

     Leonardus 1

Letard 1 From CG Leuthard.

     Letard 1

Michael 1

     Michael 1

Nigel 1

     Nigellus 1

Noah 1

     Noes 1

Osgood 1

     Osegod 1

Osmer 1 From OE Osmær.

     Omerus 1

Osmond 1

     Osmundus 1

Pagan 1

     Paen 1

Paul 1

     Pawelinus 1

Richeman 1 From an unattested OE Ricmann or from CG Ricmann.

     Richeman 1

Ringer 1 From OE Hringhere or CG Hringheri.

     Ringerus 1

Rocelin 1 OFr, from CG Ruozelin.

     Rocelinus 1

Sperling 1 All are the same person. Probably from an unattested OE Spyrling.

     Sperling 1

     Sperling' 1

     Sperleng' 1

Toly 1 From ON To/li.

     Toly 1

Turbert 1 A Norman hybrid of Scand. Þor- and CG -bert.

     Turbertus 1

Walding 1 From an unattested OE Wealding, a diminutive of names in Weald-.

     Walding 1

Walkelin 1 From Norman Walchelin, a double diminutive of CG Walho or Walico.

     Walkelinus 1

Wymark 1 From OBret Wiuhomarch, a masculine and feminine personal name.

     Wimark 1

Wymon 1 Probably from OE Wigmund; ODa, OSw Vimund is less likely here.

     Wymon 1

Introduction
Feminine Given Names

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William	126	(14.4%; 14.4%)
Willelmus	125
Guillelmus	1
Richard	91	(10.4%; 24.7%)
Ricardus	90
Richardus	1
John	70	(8.0%; 32.7%)
Iohannes	68
Johannes	2
Robert	58	(6.6%; 39.3%)
Robertus	58
Hugo	47	(5.4%; 44.7%)
Hugo	47
Roger	42	(4.8%; 49.5%)
Rogerius	1
Rogerus	41
Walter	37	(4.2%; 53.7%)
Walterus	37
Thomas	36	(4.1%; 57.8%)
Thomas	36
Ralph	34	(3.9%; 61.7%) One of these is also recorded as Randulfus.
Radulfus	34
Geoffrey	32	(3.6%; 65.3%) One Galfridus is also recorded as Galefridus.
Galefridus	2
Galfridus	30
Gaufridus	1
Henry	32	(3.6%; 69.0%)
Henricus	32
Adam	28	(3.2%; 72.2%)
Ada	4
Adam	24
Peter	20	(2.3%; 74.5%)
Petrus	20
Simon	18	(2.1%; 76.5%)
Simon	5
Symon	13
Nicholas	14	(1.6%; 78.1%)
Nicholas	1
Nicholaus	13
Alan	13	(1.5%; 79.6%)
Alanus	13
Gilbert	13	(1.5%; 81.1%)
Gilebertus	8
Gilibertus	1
Gillebertus	4
Stephen	13	(1.5%; 82.6%)
Stephanus	13
Reginald	8
Reginaldus	8
Alexander	7
Alexander	6
Sandre	1
Osbert	6
Osbertus	4
Osebertus	2
Randolph	6	One Randulfus is also recorded as Radulfus.
Rand'	1
Randulfus	3
Ranulfus	2
Norman	5
Norman	2
Normannus	3
Eustace	5
Eustacius	4
Stacius	1
Andrew	4
Andreas	4
Arnold	4	One Arnaldus = Arnold.
Arnaldus	2
Arnold	1
Ernaldus	1
Ernoldus	1
Godfrey	4
Godefridus	4
Herbert	4
Herbertus	4
Warin	4
Warinus	4
*Wymer*	4	From OE Wigmær or CG Wigmar. Gimer is from the CG name.
Wymare	1
Wymerus	1
Gimer	2
Benedict	3
Benedictus	3
Edward	3
Edwardus	3
Everard	3
Everardus	3
Guy	3
Wido	1
Wydo	2
Jocelyn	3
Gocelinus	3
Philip	3
Philippus	2
Phillipus	1
*Seeman*	3	From OE Sæmann.
Seeman	2
Seemannus	1
Albin	2	From OFr Albin, Aubin, from Latin Albinus, ultimately from albus `white'. Withycombe refers this name to Alban, to which it is not related.
Albinus	2
Alfred	2	The Alfredus is also one of the two Alvredus.
Alfredus	1
Alvredus	2
Arthur	2
Arthurus	2
Bartholomew	2
Bartholomeus	2
David	2
David	2
Fulke	2
Fulco	2
Gervase	2
Gervasius	2
Gerard	2
Girardus	2
Godwin	2	Godwyn' = Godvynus.
Godewinus	1
Godwyn'	1
Godvynus	1
Hereward	2
Hereward	1
Herewardus	1
Jordan	2
Iordanus	2
Martin	2
Martinus	2
Milo	2
Milo	1
Milot	1
Solomon	2
Salomon	2
Theobald	2
Thebaldus	1
Theobaldus	1
Adelard	1	From OE Æðelheard or CG Adel(h)ard.
Athelardus	1
Albert	1
Albertus	1
Alwin	1	Grouped by Withycombe with Aylwin. Usually from OE Æðelwine or Ælfwine.
Alwinus	1
Aylwin	1	From OE Æðelwine.
Aylewynus	1
*Beneger*	1	Either a hybrid from Latin Bene- (as in Benedictus) and Germanic -ger, -gar, or a variant of Berenger.
Beneger	1
Berenger	1
Berengarius	1
Christopher	1
Christofarus	1
Constantine	1
Constantinus	1
Denis	1
Dyonisius	1
*Edric*	1	From OE Eadric.
Eddricus	1
Elias	1	They are the same person.
Helias	1
Helyas	1
*Fray*	1	An OFr name of unknown origin.
Fray	1
Gamel	1
Gamel	1
*Godelot*	1	God-el-ot, a French double diminutive of some Germanic name with first element God-.
Godelot	1
Gregory	1
Gregorius	1
Hamon	1
Hamon	1
Humphrey	1
Hunfridus	1
*Ioco*	1	Obscure.
Ioco	1
Isaac	1
Ysac	1
*Lagot*	1	Obscure.
Lagot	1
Laurence	1
Laurencius	1
Leonard	1
Leonardus	1
*Letard*	1	From CG Leuthard.
Letard	1
Michael	1
Michael	1
Nigel	1
Nigellus	1
Noah	1
Noes	1
Osgood	1
Osegod	1
*Osmer*	1	From OE Osmær.
Omerus	1
Osmond	1
Osmundus	1
Pagan	1
Paen	1
Paul	1
Pawelinus	1
*Richeman*	1	From an unattested OE Ricmann or from CG Ricmann.
Richeman	1
*Ringer*	1	From OE Hringhere or CG Hringheri.
Ringerus	1
*Rocelin*	1	OFr, from CG Ruozelin.
Rocelinus	1
*Sperling*	1	All are the same person. Probably from an unattested OE Spyrling.
Sperling	1
Sperling'	1
Sperleng'	1
*Toly*	1	From ON To/li.
Toly	1
*Turbert*	1	A Norman hybrid of Scand. Þor- and CG -bert.
Turbertus	1
*Walding*	1	From an unattested OE Wealding, a diminutive of names in Weald-.
Walding	1
*Walkelin*	1	From Norman Walchelin, a double diminutive of CG Walho or Walico.
Walkelinus	1
*Wymark*	1	From OBret Wiuhomarch, a masculine and feminine personal name.
Wimark	1
*Wymon*	1	Probably from OE Wigmund; ODa, OSw Vimund is less likely here.
Wymon	1

Men's Given Names from Early 13th Century England

by Talan Gwynek (Brian M. Scott) bmscott@stratos.net

Men's Given Names from Early 13th Century England

by Talan Gwynek (Brian M. Scott)
bmscott@stratos.net