ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1028 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1028 ************************************ From: "S Friedemann" 2 Jun 1998 Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You were intersted in knowing the derivation of the French surname , which you wanted to use between 800 and 1300. Here is the information we have found. is a Middle French word for "chicken" or "hen," and was a traditional surname for a fearful person or someone who was "chicken-hearted." [1] We found the variant , typical of the west of France, which led to , but not until after our period. [1,2] We would like to recommend as the authentic spelling for a persona in the west, by which we mean Poitou, Anjou, and the Bordelais. We hope that this letter has been useful to you, and that you will not hesitate to write again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Arval Benicoeur and Talan Gwynek. For the Academy, Arianui filia Catmaili de Cair Mirdin ------------------------------------------------ References: [1] Dauzat, Albert, _Dictionnaire Etymologique des Noms de Famille et Prenoms de France_ (Paris: Libraire Larousse, 1987). [2] Morlet, Marie-Therese, _Dictionnaire E/tymologique des Noms de Famille_ (Librairie Acade/mique Perrin, 1997).