ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2440 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2440 ************************************ 6 Mar 2002 From: Raquel Buenaventura Greetings from the Academy of St. Gabriel! You wrote to us asking whether would be an appropriate name for an English crusader living during the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. You mentioned that you had found a reference to a man called in Burgundy and wanted to know if this name was in use in England, and if so, where in England. [1] You also indicated that if it was only in use in France, you might still wish to use it. Here's what we've found out: We haven't been able to find a reference to , other than the one you showed us, in our sources for names from France or England. This doesn't mean that it wasn't in use, only that it doesn't appear in the sources we've encountered to date. It's also possible that is an Anglicization or misinterpretation of a name given in Latin in the original source used by the author of the book you cited. Unfortunately, we don't have access to that original source, so we can't be certain. Based on the way other French names developed from earlier forms, we believe that may well be an unusual 11th century French given name derived from a Germanic name something like . However, we would not recommend it as the best choice for your recreation, since we have no evidence of it having been used in England, or into the twelfth century. We looked into similar names that would work for England in the twelfth or early thirteenth century. One good choice would be , which was in use during your period in both England and France. [1], [3] Another possibility is , a name which was in use in France in the earlier part of your period, but probably going out of use by the end of the 12th century. [4] In summary, we believe is probably a rare given name; it is a possible choice for the early end of your period in France. would be an excellent choice, and could also be a good choice. We hope this information has been useful. If any of it is unclear, or if you need further help, please don't hesitate to contact the Academy again. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter by Adelaide de Beaumont, Arval Benicoeur, Talan Gwynek, Maridonna Benvenuti, Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Mari neyn Brian, Ursula Georges, Adelais de Savigney and Catriona inghean ui Bhraonain. For the Academy, Raquel Buenaventura March 5, 2002 _____________________________________ [1] Hopkins, Andrea, _Knights: The Complete Story of the Age of Chivalry, from Historical Fact to Tales of Romance and Poetry_ (Artabras, 1991) P.39 [2] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995). S.n. Landrey [3, 4] 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). I:156b, I:156a