ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2270 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2270 ************************************ 20 Mar 2001 From: (Josh Mittleman) Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked whether is an appropriate name for an English sailor or trader around 1580. This letter is a brief answer to your question. It happens that we have a list of names of some English sailors from the 1570s; you may want to look it over to get an idea of the kinds of names that are appropriate for the persona you're creating. You can find the list on the web: Names of Members of the Frobisher Voyages, 1576-1578 http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/frobisher/ The name came into use in England late in our period. It became more common after our period, but we have several period examples from Chesham and from London [1, 2]: Jereme 1574 Jeremiah 1576/7 Jeremie 1561, 1580, 1599 Jeremy 1600 Jeremyah 1577 We haven't found an example of used as a surname in period England, but we can suggest a few other surnames that might appeal to you. In 16th century England, nearly everyone had an inherited family name, just as we do today. A man's surname was not expected to describe him or relate to his occupation in any way; but that doesn't mean a sailor _wouldn't_ have had a surname that coincidentally made some reference to the sea or navigation. Starbucke 1601 [3] Sterrey 1601 [3] Starkie 1592 [4] Venus 1623 (A later form of the name recorded as 1230, refering to the place in France) [4, 5] The surname was found particularly in Sussex [4], so it would be a good choice for a sailor. None of these names has anything to do with stars or planets, of course: the resemblance is coincidental. Here are some possibilities that appear to refer to the sea, beach, or harbor. (In fact, most of them didn't originally have their apparent meanings; we can give you the history of any particular name that interests you.) [4] Seabrook 1613 Sandes 1589 Seiborne 1581 Sandys 1633 Sebright 1601 Shipman 1602 Docker 1565 Shippe 1379 Docking 1415, 1803 Ship 1762 If you'd like to consider other late-period English surnames, you can find several lists in our Medieval Names Archive in these two indices: http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/eng1450to1600.shtml http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/engPost1600.shtml We hope this brief letter has been useful. Please write us again if you have any questions. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter by Talan Gwynek, Adelaide de Beaumont, Mari neyn Brian, Julie Stampnitzky, and Aryanhwy merch Catmael. For the Academy, Arval Benicoeur 20 Mar 2001 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References [1] Mari Elspeth nic Bryan, "Given Names in Chesham, 1538-1600/1" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1999). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/chesham/ [2] Brooke, J.M.S., and A.W.C. Hallen, A. W. C., _The Transcript of the Registers of the United Parishes of S. Mary Woolnoth and S. Mary Woolchurch Haw, in the City of London, from their Commencement 1538 to 1760_ (London: Bowles & Sons, 1886). [3] Hitching, F.K. & S. Hitching, _References to English Surnames in 1601_ (Walton-on-Thames: Chas. A. Bernau, 1910), p.lxii. [4] Bardsley, Charles, _A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames_ (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1980), s.nn. Veness, Seabrook, Seaborn, Seabright, Shipman, Ship, Starkey, Sands, Docker, Docking. [5] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995), s.n. Veness.