ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1967 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1967 ************************************ From: Lisa and Ken Theriot 15 Mar 2000 Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked whether would be an appropriate name for a woman living in France between 1150 and 1400, and whether would be an appropriate given name for the same period. Here is the information we have found. In modern French, is widely used by both men and women [1]. We found the masculine name in Paris as in 1292 and in Lorraine as and in a variety of other forms in 1267-1298, but no period feminine form in the same sources [2,3]. We found the forms and , Provencal [4] masculine and feminine forms of , in the 12th and 13th century [5]. We also found , the Latin source for , recorded in France through the 11th century [6], so we feel the form is possible, especially towards the earlier end of your period. Since we cannot find any instance recorded, we can't recommend it as a good re-creation; it is likely that the feminine is a modern invention, or at best, a revival of an uncommon name. is a modern name based on [1], [7]. We found no instances of recorded in your period and we do not believe that it was used. There are several articles at which would give you more options for given names appropriate to your chosen period and culture. is a more modern spelling of an occupational surname that we've found recorded in the 13th-15th century in various forms. The masculine form appears as (13th C), (13th-15th), (14th), etc. We found the feminine form as (13th), (14th), and (15th). The spelling , derived from one of the masculine examples, would also be correct for the 13th century and probably a bit earlier [8, 9]. We want to make sure that you realize the meaning of this name would most likely be or , and indicate the keeper of a brothel. In your period, your byname would be a description of you rather than a name you had inherited from your family line, so by choosing this name, you are identifying yourself as a brothel-keeper. We hope this letter has been helpful. Please feel free to write again if you have other questions or if any part of this letter has been unclear. I was assisted in writing this letter by Aelfwyn aet Gyrwum, Alan Fairfax, Arval Benicoeur, Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Blaise de Cormeilles, Juliana de Luna, Julie Stampnitzky, Maridonna Benvenuti, Pedro de Alcazar, Raquel Buenaventura, Talan Gwynek, and Walraven van Nijmegen. For the Academy, Adelaide de Beaumont 15 March 2000 References: [1] Dauzat, Albert, _Dictionnaire Etymologique des Noms de Famille et Prenoms de France_ (Paris: Libraire Larousse, 1987). [2] Colm Dubh, "An Index to the Given Names in the 1292 Census of Paris", Proceedings of the Known World Heraldic Symposium 1996 (SCA: Montgomery, Alabama; WWW: SCA, Inc., 1997) [URL:http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/paris.html], accessed 15 March 2000. [3] Jacobsson, Harry, _E/tudes d'Anthrponymie Lorraine les Bans de Tre'fonds de Metz (1267-1298)_ [doctoral thesis] (Go:teborg: Gumperts Fo:rlag, 1955). [4] Provencal was a related though different language spoken in an area which is now part of France. Names found in Provencal would not be considered "French". You can find more information on Provencal names at the web address listed above. [5] Chambers, Frank M., _Proper Names in the Lyrics of the Troubadours_ (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1971). [6] Morlet, Marie-Therese, _Les Noms de Personne sur le Territoire de l'Ancienne Gaule du VIe au XIIe Siecle_, three volumes (Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1972). [7] Saint Monica (332-387) was the mother of Saint Augustine. She was from North Africa, and the origin of her name is uncertain. We have not found the name in any form during your period. [8] Arval Benicoeur, "French Names from Two Thirteenth Century Chronicles" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1997) [URL:http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/arval/crusades/], accessed 7 March 2000. [9] Morlet, Marie-Therese, _Etude d'anthroponymie picarde, les noms de personne en Haute Picardie aux XIIIe, XIVe, XVe siecles_ (Amiens, Musee de Picardie, 1967).