ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2398 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2398 ************************************ 14 Nov 2001 From: (Josh Mittleman) Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked whether is an appropriate name for a Welsh woman in the 14th, 15th, or 16th century. You also asked about the given name . Here is what we've found. As you noted, , , and were originally English names. Many English names were adopted into Welsh toward the end of our period, so your construction is not implausible. Unfortunately, while was very common in late-period Welsh and was also used, appears not to have been used in that language. was one of the most common names in 16th century Wales; was not as common, but was used, usually in the spelling . We haven't found an earlier Welsh example of either name, but either is a fine choice for that period. The overall construction of your name is fine: English-origin names were commonly used with Welsh patronymics in [1, 2]. The name was common in early medieval England, but it fell out of general use even there in your period, supplanted by [4, 5]. We have found or in 16th century English records, but it was quite rare [3, 7]. The Old English precursor of the name was borrowed into Welsh as ; it was used in the 10th and 11th centuries by Welsh nobility who had close connections with neighboring English royalty of that name [9]. However, we have not found any later example of this name in Welsh and its rarity in late-period England makes it unlikely that it was re-introduced in the 16th century. We recommend you choose a different name for your father. If you particularly want to combine or with , you may want to consider an English name. was a very common English name in your period; was less common but not unusual [5, 12, 13]. The spelling was used in 13th century England [6] and was used as a surname in the 16th: a was buried in 1546 [4]. would be an excellent late-period English name. If you particularly want a Welsh name, we can suggest several alternatives. While was apparently not used in late-period Welsh, was [1]. would be an excellent name. Alternatively, you might consider naming your father . That Welsh name, pronounced \YOR-wairth\, was commonly translated into English as [8]. Finally, you might consider either or , two native Welsh names [10, 11]. We hope this letter has been useful. Please write us again if you have any questions. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter by Adelaide de Beaumont, Talan Gwynek, Julie Stampnitzky, Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, Catriona inghean ui Bhraonain. For the Academy, Arval Benicoeur 14 Nov 2001 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References [1] Jones, Heather Rose (aka Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn), "A Simple Guide to Constructing 16th Century Welsh Names (in English Contexts)" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1996). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/tangwystyl/welsh16.html [2] Jones, Heather Rose (aka Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn), "Women's Names in the First Half of 16th Century Wales" (WWW: J. Mittleman 1998). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/tangwystyl/welshWomen16/ [3] Talan Gwynek, "Late Sixteenth Century English Given Names" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1997). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/talan/eng16/ Talan Gwynek, "Late Sixteenth Century Welsh Names" (1994; WWW: J. Mittleman, 1997) http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/talan/talanWelsh16.html. [4] Bardsley, Charles, _A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames_ (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1980), s.n. Edwin. [5] Withycombe, E.G., _The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names_, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988), s.nn. Edwin, Eleanor, Elizabeth. [6] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995), s.n. Edwin. [7] Pears, Brian, "Marriages from the Whickham Registers (1534-1654)" (WWW: GENUKI, 1996). The example is 19 Sep 1609 Edwin Nicholson = Mary Farrysid. http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/genuki/Transcriptions/DUR/WHK1579.html [8] Morgan, T.J. and Prys Morgan, _Welsh Surnames_ (Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1985), s.n. Iorwerth. [9] Jones, Thomas, _Brut Y Tywysogyon_ (Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1941). [10] Jones, Heather Rose (aka Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn), "Names and Naming Practices in the Anglesey Submissions of 1406", in "Y Camamseriad" issue 4, Summer, 1996. The article cites 56 instances of ; the most common spellings are and . It cites two instances of or . [11] Morgan & Morgan s.n. Ednyfed. 1326 and 1566. [12] Mari Elspeth nic Bryan, "Names and Naming Practices in the Registers of the Church of St. Mary's, Dymock" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1999). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/dymock/. [13] Mari Elsbeth nic Bryan, "Naming Practices in 16th Century Gloucestershire" (WWW: Academy of Saint Gabriel, 2001). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/GlocNamePractices.