Chapter Summary

“A Brief Introduction to Medieval Bynames,” by Brian M. Scott and Joshua Mittleman, describes bynames: non-hereditary surnames intended to distinguish a person from others with the same given name. It covers the four main types of byname, with examples of each.

“The Difference Between Typical SCA Bynames and Medieval Bynames,” by Brian M. Scott and Joshua Mittleman, describes common mistakes made by members of the Society of Creative Anachronism when making surnames for their SCA characters, which might also be made by HP fic writers.

The 16th century saw the rise of virtue names and names from the Greek and Latin classics, as well as a trend of using surnames as given names (e.g. Neville). The Reference Guide currently has none of this, and while the names in this chapter saw use in Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, the Reference Guide will eventually cover names that are particular to or especially common in each of those countries.

Middle names did not really become common in Britain until the 18th century, after the Statute of Secrecy, which may be why so few wixes have interesting middle names. If there are religious wixes in your canon, then it also bears mentioning that children are sometimes christened under one name but use a different name in day-to-day life.

English Given Names

Click here ▲ to return to the top. To go to Masculine Given Names, click here ▼; and to go to Feminine Given Names, click here ▼.  

Names in parentheses are Latin, and underlined diminutives and variants are attested in the Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources.

To keep the lists from getting too long, if there are many similar spelling variations of a single name, I typically choose just one.

Guidelines for diminutive names:

• Diminutives often begin by isolating the first syllable, e.g. Arthur → Art. Sometimes the name will be contracted in another way, e.g. Isabel → Ibb.
• Diminutives may be doubled up, e.g. Alice → Alot → Alotta, Isabel → Ibb → Ibbot, Mary → Mariet → Marrietta. This can be continued as far as you’d like, e.g. Isabel → Ibb → Ibbel → Ibelot. This often occurs as diminutives become accepted as given names in their own right, like how modern children may be named “Jim” instead of “James.”
• At the beginning of a name, “M” may be transformed into “P”, e.g. Mary → Molly → Polly, or Margaret → Megg → Pegg.
• Diminutive suffixes in use in Medieval England include “-el,” “-et,” “-etta,” “-kin” (e.g. Dudley → Duddikins), “-ot” or “-ota,” “-in”, “-s” (Elizabeth → Betts, William → Wills), “-sy” (e.g. Bettsy, Robsy), and “-y” (e.g. Adam → Addy).

Diminutive names often become names in their own right (e.g. Harry, Tom) or even produce new names, e.g. John → Jankin (Johnkin) → Jack.

Guidelines for other variants:

• Names beginning with a vowel may start with “H,” e.g. Elisabeth → Helisabeth, Enoch → Henoch.
• Names beginning with “A” or “E” may often begin with the other vowel, e.g. Alice → Elice, Emeline → Ameline.
• Names beginning with “J-” may begin with “I-” or “Y-” instead, e.g. James → Yames, John → Iohn. This imitates the Latin practice.
• Names ending with “-y” or “-ey” can generally with “-ie” as well, e.g. Charley → Charlie, Henry → Henrie
• The letter “e” may be replaced with “y,” e.g. Charles → Charlys, James → Jamys.
• The letter “i” may be replaced with “y,” e.g. Annis → Annys, dColin → Colyn, William → Wylliam
• The letter “h” may be dropped in the middle of words, e.g. Johanna → Joanna, Johnathan → Jonathan, Nicholas → Nicolas.

Multiple guidelines may be applied to the same name, e.g. Nicholas → Nycolas, Willy → Wylle.

Masculine Given Names ▲

1. Arthur (Artur), perhaps meaning “bear man” or “bear king.” Diminutives include Art and Artie. Other variants include Arthure.
2. Augustine (Augustinus), meaning “august, venerable; consecrated.” Diminutives include August, Austin, and Awsten.
3. Charles (Carolus), perhaps meaning “army” or “man.” Diminutives include Charley (and Charlie), Chip, and Chuck. Other variants include Charells.
4. Edmund (Eadmundus), meaning “wealth protector.” Diminutives include Ed, Edd, and Eddie, and Ned. Other variants include Edmond and Edmont. St. Edmund the Martyr was one of the patron saint of England until the 16th century.
5. Eugene (Eugenius), meaning “well-born.” Diminutives include Gene. Other variants include Eugein and Yvain.
6. Francis (Franciscus), meaning “Frankish, Frenchman.” Diminutives include Fran, Frank, and Frankie. Other variants include Frawnces and Frauncis. Rare in England prior to the 16th century.
7. Frederick (Fredericus), meaning “peaceful ruler.” Diminutives include Fred and Freddie. Other variants include Frederic and Fredrick.
8. George (Georgius), meaning “farmer, earthworker.” Diminutives include Georgie. Other variants include Georg, Gorge, and Jeorge. St. George became the patron saint of England in the 16th century.
9. Henry (Henricus), meaning “home ruler.” Diminutives include Hal, Hank, Harry (or Herry), Hawkin, and Hen. Other variants include Hender, and Hendry.
10. Hugh (Hugone), meaning “mind, thought, spirit.” Diminutives include Hewie, Howet, Huchon, Hud(de), Hue(-t or -y), Hughe(-hon or -lot), and Hughie. Other variants include Hew(-e, -en, -gh, or -the), Hoge, Howe, Hughe, and Hugo.
11. James (Jacobus), meaning “supplanter.” Diminutives include Jack(amin), Jagge, Jay(cock), Jem(mie), and Jim(mie). Other variants include Jacob and Jeames.
12. John (Jannus), meaning “God is gracious.” Diminutives include Jack(e), Johnnie, and Jonkyn. Other variants include Jon, Jone, Johnathan, and St John (notice the lack of a “full stop” or period). Special mention goes out to John St John, 2nd Baron St John of Bletso.
13. Laurence (Laurentius), meaning “laurel, bay-tree.” Diminutives include Larkin, Larry, Lauren (and Loren and Lorin), Law(rie), and Low. Other variants include Larrance, Laurans, Lawrence, and Lawrens. “Lauren” and similar variants were not considered a feminine name until relatively recently.
14. Nicholas (Nicholaum), meaning “victory of the people.” Diminutives include Col(in), Colle, and Nic(k). Other variants include Nichol(-l or -s), Nycall, and Nyclis.
15. Peter (Petrus), meaning “rock.” Diminutives include Pell, Pere, Peris, Perkyn, Pers, Pete, and Peterkyn. Other variants include Petter and Piers (or Peers, or Pierce).
16. Richard (Ricardus), meaning “brave ruler.” Diminutives include Dick(-on or -un), Digge, Hick(ot), Rich(-er, -ie, or -elot), Rick, Rickie, and Ritchie. Other variants include Cardine and Ricard.
17. Robert (Rodbertus), meaning “bright fame.” Diminutives include Bob(bie), Dob(e), Hob(-be or -elin), Hopkin, Nobb, Rob(-en or -elard), and Robin. Other variants include Robard, Robart, Roberd(es).
18. Roger (Rogerus), meaning “famous spear.” Diminutives include Dodge, Hodge(kin), Hoge, Rod, and Rodge. Other variants include Rodger, Rogger, and Rogier.
19. Thomas (Tomas), meaning “twin.” Diminutives include Tam(lin), Thom(e), Thomlyn, Tom(-cock, -e, or -kin), and Tommy. Other variants include Tommis. “Thomas” is a good Latin name on its own, but families that want to signal traditionalist values may prefer rarer forms like “Tomas.”
20. William (Willelmus), meaning “will helmet.” Diminutives include Bill(ie), Wilke(n), Wilkin, Wilkyn, Will(-e or -y), and Wylymot. Other variants include Gilliam.

Other Medieval English names include Ashwy (Aescwi), “spear battle,” Brightmer (Brihtmerus), “bright fame,” Knightwine (Knightwinus), meaning “[youth, attendant, knight] friend”; Savory (Suavis), “sweet,” which is updated from Savery; and Seaborn (Sebarn), “sea bear.”

Feminine Given Names ▲

1. Agnes (Agnete), meaning “chaste.” Diminutives include Aggie, An(n)ot, and Nancy. Other variants include Agneta, Annas, Annes, Anneys, Annis, and Annote.
2. Alice (Alicia), meaning “nobleness, nobility.” Diminutives include Allie, Allison, Ally, and Alot(a). Other variants include Adelaide, Ales, Alicia, Alis, Alse, Alys(sa), and Elicia.
3. Anne (Anita), meaning “favor, grace.” Diminutives include Annie, Nan(cy), and Nancy. Other variants include An(-e or -n), Anna(h), and Hanna. This name didn’t become popular in England until about the 16th century.
4. Avice (Avitia), meaning “birds.” There are no attested diminutives. Variants include Aueys, Auis, Aves, Avis(e), and Avys. Rare outside England.
5. Cyneburg (Cyneburga), meaning “royal stronghold.” Diminutives include Kim and Kin. The first part of the name has been updated variously as Kim-, Kin-, and Kyne-, and the second part variously as -ber, -borough, -burga, -burgh, and -bury, so that plausible variants include Cyneburgh, Kimber, Kinborough, Kinbury, and Kyneburga.
6. Dorothy (Dorothea), meaning “gift of God.” Diminutives include Dolly, Dora, Dot, and Thea. Other variants include Dorithe, Dority, Dorothe, Dortha, Dorthy, and Theodora. This name didn’t become popular in England until about the 16th century.
7. Edith (Edeta), meaning “war riches.” Diminutives include Eda, Ede(-n or -ny), Edie, Editha, Ediz, Eed(d)y, and Ydye. Other variants include Alduse, Edethe, Edithe, Edusa, Edyth(e), Idith, and Yeede. Related to the masculine name Edwy, which has the same meaning.
8. Elizabeth (Elisabeta), meaning “my God is an oath.” Diminutives include Bess(-e or -y), Beth(-a or -el), Ebbat, Ebbota, Eliza, Ellice, Elissota, Ellis, Ellizabella, Elsie, Elyse, Elza, Ibb, Lylie, and Zabeth. Other variants include Elsabethe, Elzbeth(e), and Isabel.
9. Ellen (Elene), perhaps meaning “torch” or “moon.” Diminutives include Elineta, Elle, Lena, and Nell(-e or -ie). Other variants include Elaine, Elen(a), Ellin(a), and Elyn(e). These names are especially prone to being prefixed with “H,” e.g. Elene → Helene, Elineta → Helineta, Elyn → Helyn.
10. Emma (Emmota), meaning “strong.” Diminutives include Ameline, Amelot(a), Em, Emeline, Emelot(a), Emet, Emmot, Emmyn, Imma, and Minna. Other variants include Emerence and Emote.
11. Hawise (Hawisia), meaning “wide battle.” There are no attested diminutives. Variants include Hawesse and Hawis.
12. Hilda ( — ), meaning “battle.” This is actually a diminutive of many names (Hildegard, Hildegilde, Hildetrude, and Sehild, among others) but became vastly more common than any of the longer forms from which it is derived, even in Latin name registers (therefore, the common Latin form of “Hilda” is Hilda). Consider these to be variants. For parents who want a more obviously Latin name, consider names such as Hildegardis, Hildegildis, and Hildetrudis, or perhaps Hildis (but note that this one is not attested).
13. Joan (Johanna), meaning “God is gracious.” Diminutives include Ionet, Janet, and Jennet. Variations include Ione, Jahne, Jean, Jehanne, Johnna, and Jone. Jane became a popular variant in the 17th century, so traditionalists may consider it a Muggle name.
14. Lettice (Leticia), meaning “joy, gladness, delight.” Diminutives include Lece(-l, -lina, or -ln), Lecia, Lecilina, Lete, Letsel(ina), Lesellyn, or Let(-e, -t, or -te). Other variants include Letitia, Lettes, Lettis, and Lettisse. “Lettuce” is assuredly not a historical variant, but let’s be real, your readers will think you just misspelled that word anyway (and Merlin help you if Autocorrect is active). Name your next Dark witch “Lettuce Greengrass” or you’re a coward (if you want to slip the Old English word for “lettuce” past them, use the name “Leactric,” or “Leaghtrick” or “Leaghtry” if you want to update it a little).
15. Margaret (Margeria), meaning “pearl.” Diminutives include Grete, Greta, Madge, Mag(ot), May, Meg(-gy or -ot), Mette, Mogg(e), and Pogg(e). Other variants include Margareta, Margarete, Margery, Margett, Marguerite, Mariory, Mergeret, and Margret.
16. Mary (Mariona), perhaps meaning “sea of bitterness,” or “rebelliousness,” or “wished-for child.” Diminutives include Mae, Mal(-le, -in, or -kin), Marion, Marriot(a). Marina, Marryat, May, Moll(-e or -y), and Polkin. Other variants include Mare, Maria, Marie and Miriam. It is sometimes considered a feminine version of Marius.
17. Matilda (Matildis), meaning “strength in battle.” Diminutives include Maddie, Mattie, Mette, Motte, Tillot, and Tilly. Other variants include Mald, Mawt, Mold, Mathilda, Matill, and Maud(e).
18. Mellany (Melania), meaning “blackness, darkness.” Diminutives include Mel(-antha, -ina, and -inda) and Mindy. Other variants include Melanie and Mellony.
19. Petronilla (Petronia), meaning “rustic, yokel, hick.” Diminutives include Pennel, Parnell, Peryna, and Purnell(a). Other variants include and Peternell, Petronelle, and Petronill. Commonly regarded as a feminine form of Peter/Petrus (meaning “rock, stone,” and hence the variant “Peternell”) but actually related to Petronius.
20. Sara (Sarre), meaning “princess.” Diminutives include Sadie, Sallie, Sarie, Sarina, Sarret, and Sarrot. Other variants include Sarah, which was rare in the Medieval period.

Other names include Dowsebell (Dulcibelle), from dulcis, “sweet, charming, pleasant,” and bella, “beautiful, agreeable, polite”; Gemma (Gemme), meaning “gem, precious stone,” and occasionally an English feminine form of “James”; Goldgift (Goldiva), meaning how it sounds and updated from Goldgifu, from gold, “gold,” and gifu, “gift”; Imberg (Ymberga), meaning “strong hill”; Sweetrune (Dulciruna), updated from Sweterun, from swete, “sweet, cute,” and run, “whisper; rune; mystery, secret; writing.”