Academy of Saint Gabriel Report 238

This report is available at http://www.s-gabriel.org/238

Greetings,

Here's the information we have on your proposed 12th-century Welsh name, "Kathryn merch Morgan ap Llewellyn."

"Morgan" and "Llewellyn" are both common Welsh man's names, and are appropriate for the 12th century with some spelling modifications for the period. The most common spelling for "Morgan" in this period is "Morgant," (the pronunciation is still "MOR-gan," despite the extra "t"). We found examples of the name "Llewellyn" in a source from the late 13th century, which spelled it "Lewelin" and "Lewelyn." Finally, for grammatical reasons, "merch" changes to "verch" when it's used in names. All these changes produce "verch Morgant ap Lewelyn," which would be a reasonable 12th-century form of your patronymic.

"Kathryn" (which is a form of "Catherine") was not found in 12th-century Wales. It didn't become popular in England until the late 12th century (the first record we have of "Catherine" as a popular name comes from 1196). It took some time to "Catherine" to filter into Welsh, and although we don't have definite dates it's safe to say that "Catherine" wouldn't have been used in the 13th century.

One of our members collected a list of names from various sources which could have been used in the 12th century. Not all the forms would be appropriate for that period, but if you're interested in a specific name we can work with you to develop the most appropriate form.

The Merioneth Lay Subsidy Roll from the late 13th century contains the following names -- for this entire discussion I'll give "standard modern" forms of names in square brackets and actual citation forms unmarked.

• Names of Welsh Origin or pre-Norman Borrowings
  • [Angharad] - Angahar., Angar., Anghar., Anhar., Hanghar. (these are all abbreviations)
  • [Dyddgu] - Dudgech, Dugech, Dugoch, Tudgech, Tudgoch, Turgech, Tygech
  • [Erdudfyl] - Eduduwel, Erdiduwol
  • [Eve] - Eua
  • [Generys] Generys, Generes, Generis, Generys
  • [Genilles] - Genithles
  • [Geneth?, or possibly Enid?] - Enith
  • [Gwen] - Gwen, Wen
  • [Gwenllian] - Wentlian, Wentliana, Wentlyan, Wentlyana
  • [Gwerfyl] - Weruel, Weruill, Weruilla, Weyruel
  • [Gwerydd] - Gwerith
  • [Gwir] - Wir
  • [Gwladus] - Wladosa, Wladus, Wladusa
  • [Gwledyr] - Wladur, Wledir, Wledyr
  • [Helen] - Elena
  • [Hunydd] - Hunith
  • [Iwerydd?] - Ewerich
  • [Lleucu] - Leuke, Leweke, Lewke
  • [Madrun] - Maderun
  • [Morfudd] - Morud, Morwid, Morwith
  • [Morfyl] - Moruel, Morvel, Morwil
  • [Myfanwy] - Meuanou, Meuanov
  • [Nest] - Nest, Neste
  • [Perweur] - Pereuer, Perweur
  • [Tangwystl] - Tangwestel, Tangwistel
• Anglo-Norman Borrowings
  • [Alice] - Alicia
  • [Mabel] - Mabilia
  • [Margaret] - Margareta, Marured
  • [Mary] - Mary
  • [Millicent] - Milisandia
• Names from 6-12th century charters in the Book of Llan Dav (I have not attempted to sort these out by the date of the particular charter and there is no guarantee that some of the early names survived to the 12th century)
  • [Angharad] - Acgarat
  • [Anne] - Anna
  • [Arianell] - Arganhell
  • [Ceingar] - Ceincair
  • [Dulon?] - Dulon
  • [Efrddyl] - Ebrdil
  • [Hindeg?] - Hindec
  • [Lleucu] - Leucu
  • [Nest] - Nest
  • [Onbrawst] - Onbraust
  • [Eurddylad] - Ourdilat
  • [Rhygenneth] - Ricenneth
• Women's names from the "Brut y Tywysogion" up through the 12th century
  • [Angharad] - Angharat, Angharad
  • [Ellyl] - Ellyl
  • [Euron] - Euron
  • [Gwenllian] - Gwenlliant, Gwenllian
  • [Gwladus] - Gwladus
• Welsh Women's Names Mentioned by Giraldus Cambrensis (12th century)
  • [Angharad]
  • [Cristin]
  • [Gwenllian]
  • [Nest]
  • [Tegeingl]

If you're interested in one or more of these names, we can help you find the most accurate form for it.

Tangwystl verch Morgant Glasvryn, Arval D'Espas Nord, and Elspeth Anne Ross contributed to this letter.

We hope this has been helpful, and that we can continu to work with you.

In service,
Alan Fairfax
Academy of S. Gabriel