ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2616 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2616 ************************************ 23 Dec 2002 From: Galiana de Baiona Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked if the name would be appropriate for a man living near Dinefwr, Wales between 1300 and 1450. Here is the information we have found. Wales in your period was home to both Welsh and English speakers. The two languages used different spelling systems, so the same name might be spelled in very different ways depending on the native language of the scribe, the language of the document, and many other factors. The fact that many documents were written in Latin, which had its own spelling conventions and standard forms of names, adds to the complexity. We will therefore suggest more than one spelling for each element of your name, depending on the linguistic context in which you are using it. The Welsh form doubles as the normal spoken form of your name. is a very good choice for a name from your period, being extremely common in both Welsh-language and Anglo-Latin-language documents from that era. We find the name spelled or in Welsh-language contexts, and in Anglo-Latin ones. [1,2,3,4] was also found within your period, though it was always relatively uncommon. We most often find it spelled in Welsh- language documents, and in Anglo-Latin ones. [1,2,5] There are multiple mentions of Dinefwr in Welsh-language documents of your period. We find your preferred spelling in the 14th century, but several other spellings were also used. [7,8] While surnames that identified a man by his place of residence are rare in Welsh contexts, there are multiple examples of the desired format. [3] For example: Jem ap Mad Tegenyll Kyn ap Jem Kneivio Jem ap Jem Bodfeurig D[avi]d ap Phe[lip] Alaw Ririd ap Guyn Hardel[ech] The letters in square brackets were not included in the original records, but instead complete names that were entered as scribal abbreviations. In summary, we believe that your name is historically plausible for the 14-15th century. Certain aspects of the name are uncommon, but even those occur in your period. The exact form you asked about, , could have been used in a Welsh-language context. In an Anglo-Latin context, it might have been written as . We hope this letter has been useful to you and that you won't hesitate to write us again if any part has been unclear or if you have further questions. I was assisted in writing and researching this letter by Arval Benicoeur, Talan Gwynek, Aryanhwy merch Catmael, and Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn. For the Academy, Galiana de Baiona 23 December 2002 -- References: [1] Jones, Thomas, _Brut Y Tywysogyon_ (Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1941). [2] Ellis, T.P., _The First Extent of Bromfield and Yale A.D. 1315_, Cymmrodorion Record Series No. 11 (London: The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1924). [3] Jones, Heather Rose (aka Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn), "Names and Naming Practices in the Anglesey Submissions of 1406", in "Y Camamseriad" issue 4, Summer, 1996. [4] Lewis, E.A. "The Court Rolls of the Manor of Broniarth (Co. Mont.), 1429-64" in Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, 1944, 11:54-73. [5] Sanders, I.J. "The Boroughs of Aberystwyth and Cardigan in the Early Fourteenth Century" in BBCS Vol.15 Part 4 (May 1954) pp.282, 292. [6] Lewis, E.A. "The Proceedings of the Small Hundred Court of the Commote of Ardudwy in the County of Merioneth from 8 October, 1325 to 18 September 1326" in BBCS Vol.4 Part 2 (May 1928) p.153-166. [7] There are multiple mentions of Dinefwr in the "Brut y Tywyssogyon". While the mentions occur under a number of year-dates, the form of the text is most reflective of its redaction in the 14th century. [8] Johnston, James B., _Place Names of England and Wales_ (London: Bracken Books, 1994 [1915]) s.n. Dinefwr Castle has the following: c1196 1246 from 'castle of the onset or assault.