ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1167 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1167 ************************************ From: 22 Aug 1998 Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You wrote to us for help creating a name for a Welshman living between 900 and 1200. You were most interested in using the name , and wanted to know if might be appropriate for someone who is left-handed. We'll discuss the second part of your name first. The phrase doesn't say quite what you mean, and the spelling doesn't quite fit your period; but you're basically on the right track: In the late 13th century, slightly after your period, this byname was quite popular [1]. means "son of Lefty", indicating that your _father_ was left-handed [2]. Since you were interested in describing yourself as left-handed, rather than your father, you should drop the . The spelling is more likely a late-period spelling; the likely spelling for your period is or , so "left-handed Anton" might be [3]. This nickname is pronounced \khwith\ where \kh\ represents the 'ch' in Scottish or German , but otherwise it sounds much like the word "with". Unfortunately, the name is a German form of the Classical name or . The name does show up in Welsh as or , but apparently only in reference to Classical or mythical persons [4]. While the Welsh seem to have been familiar with the name, we have no medieval examples of the name used by Welshmen. Since you indicated you were very attached to the name , we can recommend two possibilities: set your persona in the 6th century or in the 16th century. We did find used by the sons of Ceredig and of Emyr Llydaw, both roughly placed in the 6th century [4]. This is a period when a number of Latin-origin names were still in British use -- some were even naturalized and solidly incorporated into the name pool. Thus, would be possible for Roman-occupied Wales, though such an early date might be incompatible with the rest of your name. There is also a single recorded circa 1600 [5], so the name appears to have been (re)introduced via English use by the end of period. The name is a fine 16th century Welsh name [6]. We hope this has been helpful, and that we can continue to assist you. Talan Gwynek and Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn researched this letter. In service, --Walraven van Nijmegen Academy of S. Gabriel [1] Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, _Names and Naming Practices in the Merioneth Lay Subsidy Roll 1292-3_ (SCA: Known World Heraldic Symposium Proceedings, 1991) [2] Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, _A Welsh Miscellany_ (SCA: Compleat Anachonist #66) p.28 [3] Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, personal communication [4] P.C. Bartrum, _Early Welsh Genealogical Tracts_ (Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1966) [5] Keridwen ferch Morgan Glasfryn, _Names and Naming Practices in some North Pembrokeshire Toll Books (1599-1603)_ (SCA: Proceedings of the Known World Heraldic Symposium, 1992) [6] Heather Rose Jones, _Names and Naming Practices in the Anglesey Submissions of 1406_ (Y Camamseriad vol.4, 1996) This source records the use of .