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Names and Naming Practices in the Red Book of Ormond (Ireland 14th Century)

Given Names

by Heather Rose Jones

© 1999 by Heather Rose Jones; all rights reserved.
Layout and editting Arval Benicoeur.


Given Names

Men

Modern form Forms found in the manuscript
 
Adam Adam 2; Irish context
Ade 1; Welsh context
Aduke 1; OC&M lists this as an Irish diminutive of Adam. The context appears Irish.
Andrew Andreas 2, Andream (accusative) 2; English (1) and Irish (3) contexts.
Anlauth? Anlauth 1; Irish context.
Balton? Balton 1; Irish context.
Bryce Bryce 1; Irish context.
Carthach? Carrek 1; Irish/Welsh context.
Ceallach Kellath 1; the identification is unclear, however there are other examples of Anglicized "th" for Irish "ch" in the document. Irish context.
Cionaodh Kynnath 1; Irish context.
Clement Clemente (ablative) 1; Irish context.
Comdin? Comdino (ablative) 2; Irish context.
Conchobhar Conowre 1; Irish context.
Condin? Condyn 1; possibly the same name as Comdin, Irish context.
Conghirketh? Conghirketh 1; pretty clearly an Irish name, from the mangling done to it, but I have not been able to identify which one.
Conlaed Conelath 1; Irish context.
Corcran Corkeran 1; Irish context.
Crahin? Crahin 1; Irish context.
Crascin? Crascino (ablative) 1; Irish context.
Crayn? Crayn 1; possibly the same as Crahin. Irish context.
Cristin Cristin 1; Irish context, see also feminine examples.
David David 5; Irish (4) and English (1) contexts.
Diarmaid Dermot 2; Irish context.
Domhnall Douenoldo (ablative) 1, Dovenold 2; Irish context.
Donnchadh? Donewith 1, Donewuth 1; normalized form is uncertain but this seems likely. Irish context.
Eibhear Ivore (ablative) 2; possibly alternatively the Welsh name Ifor. Irish context.
Elidir Elyderi (genitive) 2, Elideri (genitive) 1; Welsh context.
Eoghan Eug' 1, Oyn 1; Irish context.
Evercath? Euercath 1; probably an unidentified Irish name. Irish context.
Faolan ffolan 1, ffoulin 1; Irish context.
Fionn ffyn 1; Irish context.
ffleadrekin? ffleadrekin 1; almost certainly Irish, possibly a diminutive ending in "-ucan" mistakenly interpreted as the English diminutive "-kin" ending. No other context.
ffynthcor? ffynthcor 1; almost certainly Irish, but mangled beyond recognition. No other context.
Gilko Gilko 1; most probably a Giolla-X name with unidentified second element. Irish context.
Gilumtharog Gilumtharog 1; unidentified Giolla-X name. Irish context.
Giolla-Caoimhghein Gillekeyvyn 1; Irish context.
Giolla-Criost Gilcrist 1, Gillecrist 2; Irish context.
Giolla-Fionnain Gyllfynnan 1; Irish context.
Giolla-Iosa Gillice 1; Irish context.
Giolla-Martain Gilmartyn 1; Irish context.
Giolla-Michil Gillemyal 1, Gillemyall 1; Irish context.
Giolla-Muire Gillemory 1; Irish context.
Giolla-Pedir Gillepedir 1; Irish context.
Grathini? Grathini (ablative) 2; Irish context.
Griffin Griffinus 2, Griffino (ablative) 1, Griffinum (accusative) 1; Welsh context.
Gyn? Gyn 1; Irish context.
Hasmayn? Hasmayn 1; almost certainly Irish context, but original unclear.
Henry Henricus 2, Henrico (ablative) 5, Henricum (accusative) 2; Irish (8) and Welsh (1) context.
Hugh Hugone (ablative) 2; Irish context.
Huet 1; probably English diminutive of Hugh. Irish context.
Ithel Ithel 1, Ythele 1, Ythell 1; Welsh context.
Jacob Jacobus 1, Jacobo (ablative) 1, Jacobum (accusative) 1; Irish (1), Welsh (1), and English (1) contexts.
Johannes Johannes 4, Johanne (ablative) 7, Johannem (accusative) 2, Johannis (genitive) 3; Irish (12), Welsh (1), and English (3) contexts.
Laurence Laurencio (ablative) 1, Laurencium (accusative) 1; Irish context.
Lochlainn Leghlen 1; the identification is unclear but seems likely. Irish context.
Loryn Loryn 2; possibly an Irish Luaran or Luarin, but also possibly a diminutive of Laurence. Irish context.
Maghnus Mannes 2; Irish context.
Malauthin Malauthin 1, Malauthlin 1; a Maol-X name with unidentified second element. Irish context.
Maol-Iosa Molice 1, Molise 1; Irish context.
Maol-Muire Molmory 1; the name appears with no other context and could, conceivably, be feminine, as feminine examples of this name occur. Irish context.
Maol-Ruanaid Malrony 2, Molrony 2; Irish context.
Martin Martinus 1, Martinum (accusative) 1; Irish context.
Maygins Maygins 1; Irish context.
Meilyr Meilero (ablative) 1; Welsh/Irish context.
Morvuth Morvuth 1; ordinarily, I would tend to have no doubts about identifying this as Welsh feminine Morfudd, however it is quite likely the same name as the following which, given the number of examples, makes it much less likely that this is a feminine name. It seems possible that it is a corrupted form of Irish Muiredach. Otherwise, an Irish context.
Morwich Morwich 2; see note on previous. Irish context.
Muiredach? Mardauth 1; the identification is not at all certain. Irish context.
Nicolas Nicolaus 1, Nicholao (ablative) 1; Irish context.
Oalnerauth Oalnerauth 1; probably an Irish name beginning in "Uall-", but badly corrupted. Irish context.
Odo Odone (ablative) 1; Irish context.
Oliver Oliverum (accusative) 1; Welsh context.
Paidin Padyno (ablative) 1; an Irish diminutive of Patrick. Irish context.
Patrick Patricio (ablative) 1; Irish context.
Peter Petro (ablative) 2, Petrum (accusative) 1; Irish (2) and Welsh (1) contexts.
Philip Philippus 2, Philippo (ablative) 2, Philippum (accusative) 1; Irish (4) and Welsh (1) contexts.
Radulf Radulfo (ablative) 2; Irish (1) and English (1) contexts.
Reginald Reginaldo (ablative) 1, Reginaldum (accusative) 1; Irish context.
Richard Ricardus 4, Ricardo (ablative) 6, Ricardum (accusative) 1, Ricardi (genitive) 1; Irish (10) and English (2) contexts.
Robert Robertus 3, Roberto (ablative) 5, Robertum (accusative) 1; Irish (8) and Welsh (1) contexts.
Roger Rogerum (accusative) 1; Irish context.
Stephan Stephano (ablative) 1; Irish context.
Simon(e) Symone (ablative) 1 gender not clear from context, see feminine example. Irish context.
Sytrok Sytrok 1; fairly certainly an Irish borrowing of Norse Sigtryg, and so counted as Irish although the only other element is Latin.
Theobald Theobaldus 1, Theobaldo (ablative) 1; English (1) and Welsh (1) contexts.
Thomas Thomas 4, Thoma (ablative) 7, Thomam (accusative) 2; Irish (10) and Welsh (3) contexts.
Tuathal Tothel 1; Irish context.
Urien Urien 1; Welsh context.
Walter Waltero (ablative) 3; Irish context.
William Willelmus 5, Willelmo (ablative) 5, Willelmum (accusative) 2, Willelmi (genitive) 1; Irish (12) and Welsh (1) contexts.
 

Women

Modern form Forms found in the manuscript
 
Agatha Agatha 2; English context.
Agnes Agnete (ablative); English context.
Alice Alicia 3, Alicie (genitive) 2; English context.
Basilla Basilla 1; English context.
Beatrice Beatricia 1; English context.
Bridok? Bridok 1; possibly a diminutive of Brighid, along the lines of Brighiduc (unattested). No other language context available.
Cristin Cristina 2; English context. See also masculine examples.
Edekyn Edekyn 1; a diminutive of Edith (Reaney & Wilson under "Edkin"). English context.
Elen Elena 1; English context.
Elyn 2; Irish (1) and English (1) context.
Elizabeth Elizabeth 1; English context.
Emin Emin 1; probably an Irish name I haven't been able to identify. Irish context.
Emma Emma 1; English context.
Evot Evota 1; an English diminutive of Eve. Irish context.
Isabella Isabella 5; English (4) and possibly Irish (1) contexts. (The last involves an English- origin surname that looks somewhat adapted to Irish pronunciation.)
Johanna Johanna 2; English context.
Juliana Julianam (accusative) 1; English context.
Katherine Katerina 1; English context.
Lucy Lucia 1, Lucie (genitive) 1; English context.
Mabilia Mabilla 2, Mabille (genitive) 1; English context.
Margaret Margareta 2; English (1) and posstibly Irish (1) contexts. (The last involves an English-origin surname that looks somewhat adapted to Irish pronunciation.)
Mariot Mariota 1; probably English context, although the surname could possibly be Irish instead.
Mathilda Matilda 2; English context.
Morin Morina 1; probably a diminutive of Irish Mor, with Latinization. If so, this counts as Irish context, although the remainder of the entry is Latin.
Oliva Oliva 2; English context.
Raghnailt Raynagh 1; this is most likely in origin the Norse name Ragnhild, which was borrowed into both English and Irish, however the use of "gh" in the spelling suggests an approximation of some Irish sound, so I would count this as an Irish name, although the only other element is Latin.
Rohais Roysia 2; English context.
Sara Sarra 2; English context.
Sibil Sibilla 3; English context.
Simon(e) Symonis 1 clearly fem.; English context. See also masculine example.
Slaine Slany 2; Irish context.
Susanna Sussanna 1; English context.

Popularity and Language Distribution

The following tables show the relative popularity of the given names (adjusted to count each individual only once, so the numbers are slightly different from above). The ordering is by overall popularity, and the language columns refer to the language-context of the name (as defined above), not the language of the name element itself. Mixed Welsh/Irish names have been counted half in each column.

Name             Irish    Welsh  English   All

Men

Johannes           11       1       3      15
Richard             8               2      10
Thomas              8       2              10
Robert              7       1               8
William             7       1               8
Henry               5       1               6
Philip              4       1               5
Adam                3       1               4
Andrew              2               1       3
Com/ndin            3                       3
Domhnall            3                       3
Giolla-Criost       3                       3
Griffin                     3               3
Hugh                2               1       3
Jacob               1       1       1       3
Morwich             3                       3
Peter               2       1               3
Walter              3                       3
David               1               1       2
Diarmaid            2                       2
Donnchadh?          2                       2
Eibhear             2                       2
Eoghan              2                       2
Faolan              2                       2
Giolla-Michil       2                       2
Grathini?           2                       2
Ithel                       2               2
Laurence            2                       2
Loryn               2                       2
Malauthin           2                       2
Maol-Iosa           2                       2
Maol-Ruanaid        2                       2
Maol-Ruanaid        2                       2
Nicolas             2                       2
Radulf              1               1       2
Reginald            2                       2
Theobald                    1       1       2
Anlauth?            1                       1
Balton?             1                       1
Bryce               1                       1
Carthach?           0.5     0.5             1       
Ceallach            1                       1
Cionaodh            1                       1
Clement             1                       1
Conchobhar          1                       1
Conghirketh?        1                       1
Conlaed             1                       1
Corcran             1                       1
Crahin?             1                       1
Crascin?            1                       1
Crayn?              1                       1
Cristin             1                       1
Elidir                      1               1
Evercath?           1                       1
ffleadrekin?        1                       1
ffynthcor?          1                       1
Fionn               1                       1
Gilko               1                       1
Gilumtharog         1                       1
Giolla-Caoimhghein  1                       1
Giolla-Fionnain     1                       1
Giolla-Iosa         1                       1
Giolla-Martain      1                       1
Giolla-Muire        1                       1
Giolla-Pedir        1                       1
Gyn?                1                       1
Hasmayn?            1                       1
Lochlainn           1                       1
Maghnus             1                       1
Maol-Muire          1                       1
Martin              1                       1
Maygins             1                       1
Meilyr              0.5     0.5             1
Muiredach?          1                       1
Oalnerauth          1                       1
Odo                 1                       1
Oliver                      1               1
Paidin              1                       1
Patrick             1                       1
Roger               1                       1
Simon(e)            1                       1
Stephan             1                       1
Sytrok              1                       1
Tuathal             1                       1
Urien               1                       1


Total             152      19      11     182


Women

Alice                               5       5
Isabella            1               4       5
Elen                1               2       3
Sibil                               3       3
Agatha                              2       2
Cristin                             2       2
Johanna                             2       2
Mabilia                             2       2
Margaret            1               1       2
Mathilda                            2       2
Oliva                               2       2
Rohais                              2       2
Sara                                2       2
Slaine              2                       2
Agnes                               1       1
Basilla                             1       1
Beatrice                            1       1
Bridok?             1                       1
Edekyn                              1       1
Elizabeth                           1       1
Emin                1                       1
Emma                                1       1
Evot                1                       1
Juliana                             1       1
Katherine                           1       1
Lucy                                1       1
Mariot                              1       1
Morin               1                       1
Raghnailt           1                       1
Simon(e)                            1       1
Susanna                             1       1


Total              10      0       43      53

Two things jump out immediately. One of every four entries is for a woman -- a high number for documents of this sort. And while 5/6 of the men's names contain an Irish element, only 1/5 of the women's names do. The difference is partly that fewer Irish feminine given names are in use (6/53 or 11%) versus Irish masculine given names (72/182 or 40%). If one assumes that there are equal proportions of ethnically Irish men and women in the region (a very reasonable assumption), and that Irish women are mentioned in legal documents in equal relative proportions with Irish men (not necessarily a valid assumption), then one must assume that Irish women are more likely to bear non-Irish given names than Irish men are. (Remember the caveat that the names identified as "English context" are simply those that have no linguistically Irish or Welsh element in them -- nothing is necessarily known about the bearer.) Another possibility, of course, is that ethnically English women are more likely to show up in these records than ethnically Irish women are. It is also worth noting that no women bear identifiably Welsh name elements.

Further speculations on this skewing can be seen in the discussion of bynames below.


Introduction
Given Names
Name Patterns
Glossary of Elements in Bynames
Bibliography


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