ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1627 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1627 ************************************ From: "S Friedemann" 17 Apr 1999 Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You wanted to know if or would have been used by Welshwomen in the Middle Ages, and if there were any similar Irish, Cornish, or English feminine names if these weren't acceptable. You also asked about a byname meaning "rosy-cheeked" or "the harper." Here is the information we have found. Before I start, I'd like to clarify the service that the Academy offers. We try to help Societyfolk in choosing and using names that fit the historical cultures they are trying to re-create. Our research can sometimes be used to support submissions to the College of Arms, but that is not our goal and our results are often incompatible with the College's needs. If your main goal is to register a particular name, then we may not be able to help you. Unfortunately, neither of your choices for a given name is authentic. is a form of the Gaelic name for Ireland; it was not used as a human name in our period. also, as far as we can tell, is a modern name only. [1] We recommend that you consider using a different name. The closest Welsh name that we could find is , which appears in 12th and 14th century Welsh documents. [2] If you would like a Welsh persona, this would be an excellent name. It is pronounced \EY-rohn\, where the first syllable rhymes with . A medieval Welsh woman would most often have been known as her father's daughter. Euron the daughter of Ifor would have been called . You can find a list of Welsh masculine names of the web from which you can choose your father's name: "A Simple Guide to Constructing 13th Century Welsh Names" http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/tangwystyl/welsh13.html Some women were also known by other types of bynames (nicknames). The most common byname indicating a ruddy complexion or red hair is , pronounced \GOHKH\, where the \kh\ is the sound of in Scottish or German . There are also two different nicknames with a meaning "female harp player": and . derives from the Welsh , an instrument similar to the harp. [3] These are pronounced \krooth-OR-ess\ and \tell-uh-NOHR-ess\, respectively. These three bynames are all found in 1292. In summary, or are fine names for a 13th century Welsh woman. However, in any formal circumstance, she would have been known as her father's daughter, e.g. . We hope that this letter has been useful to you, and that you will not hesitate to write again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, Arval Benicoeur, Margaret Makafee, and Talan Gwynek. For the Academy, --Aryanhwy Prytydes merch Catmael April 16, 1999 --------------------------------------- References: [1] Gruffudd, Heini, _Enwau i'r Cymry/Welsh Personal Names_ (Talybont: Y Lolfa, 1984). [2] Jones, Thomas, _Brut Y Tywysogyon_ (Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1941). [3] Jones, Heather Rose (aka Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn), "Names and Naming Practices in the Merioneth Lay Subsidy Roll 1292-3", in Known World Heraldic Symposium Proceedings, 1991 (SCA: Laurel, Maryland, 1991)