ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1439
http://www.s-gabriel.org/1439
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2 Mar 1999

Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel.

You asked whether the name <Elayne Moody de Chadwyck> is a documentable
mid to late 14th century English name.  Here's what we found.

Before I start, I'd like to clarify the service that the Academy offers.
We try to help Societyfolk in choosing and using names that fit the
historical cultures they are trying to re-create. Our research can
sometimes be used to support submissions to the College of Arms, but
that it not our goal and our results are often incompatible with the
College's needs. If your main goal is to register a particular name,
then we may not be able to help you. 

We do not recommend either <Elayne> or <Elaine> as a given name for
an English woman.  <Elaine> was originally a French spelling of the Welsh
form of <Helen>; it is found in chansons de geste. It was not used as an
ordinary given name until it was popularized by Tennyson's _Idylls of
the King_, published in 1859, in which the poet adapted Mallory's story
of Lancelot and Elaine [1].

However, we did find several English forms of the <Helen> [1, 2, 3],
some from the 14th century; you may wish to use one of these forms:

  Elena 1213-5, 1301, 1327, 1332, 1346, 1379
  Eleyn 1279
  Elene 1529
  Ellen 1296, 1324, 1347
  Ellene 1655
  Ellyn 1507
  Elen, Ellin 1561
  Elota, Ellota 1379
  Helen 1486
  Helena 1210
  Helene 1275
  Heleyne 14th C

The surname <Moody> is recorded in the 14th century as <Mudy> 1365  and
<Mody> 1379 [4, 5].  We didn't find the spelling <Moody> until 1601 [6].
 This name derives from the Old English word <mo-dig> meaning  "bold,
impetuous, brave."

<Chadwyke> is a fine 14th century surname. We found <Andrew de
Chadewyke> 1328, and <Elena Chadwyk> 1379. Although Chadwyke> isn't one
of the  spellings we found in your period, we think it is perfectly
consistent with 14th century spelling conventions.

It was unusual in your period for a person to use two surnames at the
same time.  Elena, the daughter of Walter Mody, who lived in Chadewyke
might have been called <Elena Mody> sometimes, <Elena de Chadewyke>
other times, and <Elena Wattes> or <Elena Watdoughter> still other
times[7]. Wat is a nickname for someone called Walter.  If her name were
written down, it could well have been recorded with two of these
surnames, <Elena Mody de Chadewyke>, but it is unlikely that more than
one surname at a time would ever have been used in speech.

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
Affrick neyn Kenyeoch vc Ralte, Arval d'Espas Nord, Aryanhwy Prytydes
merch Catmael and Talan Gwynek.

In Service to the Academy

Margaret Makafee

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References

[1] Withycombe, E.G., _The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian
Names_, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988). s.nn. Elaine,
Ellen, Helen

[2] Talan Gwynek, "Feminine Given Names in _A Dictionary of English
Surnames_" (SCA: KWHS Proceedings, 1994; WWW: J. Mittleman, 1997)
[URL:http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/talan/reaney/]. 

[3] Julian Goodwyn, "English Names from pre-1600 Brass Inscriptions"
(WWW: J. Mittleman, 1997)
[URL:http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/arval/brasses/]. 

[4] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_
(London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995). s.nn Moodey,
Chadwick

[5] Bardsley, Charles, _A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames_
(Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1980). 

[6]  Hitching, F.K. & S. Hitching, _References to English Surnames in
1601_ (Walton-on-Thames: Chas. A. Bernau, 1910).

[7] Reaney, P. H., _The Origin of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge
and Kegan Paul, 1967, reprint 1980), p 83.