Some of the most common Old English names, including variants of names from other languages: 1. The Most Common & Popular OId English Names For Men We’ve prepared this list of the 440+ most popular names for boys, with retro choices from Old English names plus some related names in other languages. Beck, Jessop (and it’s many variations), Langley (Langlee, Langleigh, Langeleye, …), Bowyer and York all existed in the Medieval period so can be added to the list.English boy names can be a safe, traditional choice for your baby so that they don’t have to worry about spelling out their name or explaining the meaning behind it (as they might with exotic and international choices) when they’re older. Creates a real challenge when doing genealogy. A new village priest arrives and writes new parish entries of a family of Jessop as, say, Gesop, Jesset or Jesuppe, or vice versa – and it sticks (or changes yet again when the next priest arrives). How badly can one mangle that? Yet it’s had over 40 variations over the last 8 centuries, some so extreme one could be forgiven thinking they were completely different names. Moreover many English place-name derived surnames also existed – in period – with a “de/des” in front of it, meaning, of course, “of”, so “de Langeleye” existed, and just as “de Montford” existed, so did “Montford”.Īlso, we mustn’t forget those variations in spelling. On the other hand, Langley originally meant “long field” or “long glade” (paradoxically, also “wood” which is rather the opposite), so could be applied to a person living in or near the field/glade, since Bob Langley would be distinguished from the Bob Beck, whose house is beside the “stream”. (Or having the famous title “York”, applying to the county, not the city, but many of the earliest known examples of the surname York occur at the other end of the country in Wiltshire, Somerset, Cambridgeshire, etc) Much more likely it would have been applied to a family or person -from- the very-distant city of York. After all, William’s many neighbours named William all live in York. However, the name “York” would not have been applied to a person living in York. Location based names require a bit of care. Thanks for reading, and happy writing! Related Posts And if you liked the list, you might also like my book Master Lists for Writers, a go-to reference.īe sure to sign up for the blog, if you haven’t already, so you don’t miss any future lists for writers-you can do that below. I want to make it into a fantastic medieval last name generator. If you think of any medieval last names to add to this list, please let me know. Tyler (an occupation name for someone who does tilework) Kirk (this is a medieval surname used to indicate someone lives near a church) Griffen (this medieval last name, and variations of it, was also a first name in the Middle Ages) We’ve all heard titles like Farmer, Smith, and Baker, which are all occupational surnames from days of old. Medieval last names placed significant importance on occupation, place, paternity, and even physical attributes. “Bosc” means “the woods”)Ĭhallenge (I have to admit this one sounds fake, but I can attest that it’s an authentic medieval English surname)ĭarcy (of course, we associate this medieval last name with the Regency era)ĭurandal (I think this would be a great knight name) By Mark Weir Published ApIt’s time to go old-school with your family name and find medieval inspiration. If you’re naming a character, I hope you find the perfect last name! And if you’re writing something set in the Middle Ages or fantasy inspired by medieval England, you can use my medieval European and fantasy playlist to set the mood.Īnd be sure to bookmark the post or pin it to Pinterest for future reference!Īrundel (I was positive this was the name of a horse in a fantasy novel, but if it was, I can’t find it now)īosc (a medieval surname for someone who grows pears-haha, not really. If you need first names, I’ve got them! Check out my lists of medieval male names and medieval female names from England. “Richard Mersey” for a Richard who lives by the Mersey River (or whose parents or grandparents did), or “Joan Ludlow” for a Joan who lives in the town of the same name. You can always make up a place name by using a specific place in England, e.g. Hi all! This list of medieval English surnames includes patronyms, occupational names, and place names.
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