ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2152 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2152 ************************************ 21 Nov 2000 From: (Josh Mittleman) Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You explained that you had chosen the name for a 9th-10th century Irishwoman, but were disappointed to be told that it conflicts with the registered name . You asked us to suggest some masculine given names that were used in northern Ireland in your period so that you could insert one into your name to avoid the conflict. You also asked if the Irish created pet forms of given names, like from , and what sort of pet name they might have created from . Here is what we have found. We know three early medieval examples of
  • [1]. The slash represents an acute accent mark on the preceding letter. The name is a good choice for the 9th or 10th century. It was pronounced \LEE-@-d@n\, where \@\ represents the sound of the 'a' in . The phrase literally means "daughter of O/ Lochlainn". In the 9th century, it was understand to mean "daughter of Lochlainn's grandson". From the 10th century onward, it was used less literally to mean "female member of clan O/ Lochlainn". Either way it's a fine choice for your period and it was particularly common in the north of Ireland [1, 6]. However, for your period we recommend the spelling , which was pronounced \EEN-y@n (w)ee LOHKH-lahn~\. \KH\ represents the raspy sound in the Scottish word and the German . \n~\ represents the sound of the in or French . \(w)\ represents a lightly-pronounced consonantal \w\. Discussing the SCA College of Arms' rules on name conflict is beyond the Academy's scope [2], but we can suggest some variations on your name that may avoid the conflict. As you noted, one approach is to add your father's name to create something like
  • "Li/adan daughter of Flann O/ Lochlainn". This style of name is quite common in early medieval Irish records. Another simple approach is to change your clan name, e.g.
  • "Li/adan of clan O/ Conaill". In the first example, the dot in represents a dot over the 'F'. It indicates a softening in pronunciation that, in this case, results in a silent letter. A third approach is to identify yourself as your paternal grandfather's descendent. We found a 10th century woman in Ulster called "Ligach daughter of the son of Ma/el Sechlainn" [4]. In her name, is an abbreviation for , the genitive (possessive) form of . Following that pattern, you could name yourself
  • , pronounced \LEE-@-d@n EEN-y@n veek LOHKH-lahn~\. We should note that while we think this name should be clear of the conflict you're trying to avoid, we aren't sure how the College of Arms would see it. Here is a list of some men's names recorded in the Annals of Ulster for the early 9th century, showing only their given names and patronymic bynames [5]. The abbreviation means in these examples. This annal may have been written long after the event described, so some of the spellings may be inappropriate for your period. Once you choose one or two names that interest you, feel free to check with us to make sure you've got the spelling, grammar, and pronunciation correct. Diarmait m. Neill Mael Duin m. Sechnusaigh Niall m. Diarmata Tuathal m Fianghalaigh Art m. Diarmata Riacan m. Finshnechti Mael Duin m. Gormghaile Cathal m. Murgusso Artrach m. Muirgusa Bran m. Faelain Muiredach m. Ruadhrach Cumuscach m. Conghalaigh Cinaedh m. Mughroin Euganan m. Oengusa Drucan m. Taidhg Bran m. Oengussa Oengus m. Donnchada Ed m. Boanta Follomhan m. Donncadha Cinaedha m. Coscraidh Finsnechta m. Bodhbcodha Aedh m. Dunchada Cinaedh m. Echdach Conaing m. Flaind Cinaedh m. Artrach Mael Duin m. Conaill Diarmait m. Ruadrach Dungal m. Ferghaile Conchobur m. Donnchada Arttagan m. Domnaill Ruaidri m. Maele Fothartaigh Ruargg m. Broin Cobthaidh m. Maele Duin Cinaedh m. Con Roi Oengus m. Fergusa Mael Mithigh m. Cinaedha Ceallach m. Brain Donncadha m. Fhollomain Cinaedh m. Conaing Flainn m. Mael Ruanaig Suibhne m. Artrach Mael Sechnaill m. Mael Ruanaid Concobur m. Ailello Cathal m. Ailello Conghalach m. Oenghusa Connmhach m. Coscraigh Cinaedh m. Neill m. Aedha Niall m. Aedha Echaidh m. Con Chongalt Mael Duin m. Conaill Muirchertach m. Gormghaile Niall m. Cinn Faeladh Ferghus m. Bodhbcadha Rigan m. Fergusa Dunadhaigh m. Scannlain Moghron m. Diarmota Coirpri m. Maele Duin Aedh m. Cathrannaigh In our study of medieval Irish names, we have found only one clear example of a pet name formed by shortening the full name: , a pet form of , popular since the 13th century [1, 3]. In your period, the Irish formed masculine diminutives of given names in various ways, usually by adding suffixes, like masculine from [7]. We haven't found analogous examples of feminine diminutives, and our general understanding of this process is incomplete; so we can't recommend any way of forming a diminutive of . We hope this letter has been useful. Please write us again if any part of it has been unclear or if you have other questions. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter by Antonio Miguel Santos de Borja, Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Africa neyn Kenneoch, Mari neyn Brian, Talan Gwynek, Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, Julie Stampnitzky, Walraven van Nijmegen, Dietmar von Straubing, Juliana de Luna, Adelaide de Beaumont, Amant le Marinier, Blaise de Cormeilles, and Effrick neyn Kenneoch. For the Academy, Arval Benicoeur 21 Nov 2000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References [1] O/ Corra/in, Donnchadh and Fidelma Maguire, _Irish Names_ (Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1990), s.nn. Fionnghuala, Li/adan, Lochlainn. [2] The CoA members in the Academy didn't all agree that conflicts with . You may want to submit your original choice and see what happens. To avoid delay, you could include an alternate version to be registered if your preferred form does conflict. You should talk to a senior herald in your kingdom to work out the details. [3] Stephen Beechinor, Beatrix Fa:rber, Daithi/ O/ Corra/in, ed., "Annals of the Four Masters, Volume 3" (WWW: CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College, Cork, Ireland, 2000), M1226.6. http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/G100005C/ [4] Donnchadh O/ Corra/in & Mavis Cournane, "The Annals of Ulster" (WWW: CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College, Cork, Ireland, 1997), entry U923.7. Similar constructions appear in entries U962.7, U1035.2, U1080.4, U1171.6. http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/G100001 [5] Annals of Ulster, U826.1 to 846.6. [6] Annals of Ulster, U1023.4, mentions [7] O/ Corra/in, Donnchadh, ed., "Annals of Tigernach" (WWW: CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College, Cork, Ireland, 1996), T667.2, T660.5. http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/G100002/