ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2835 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2835 ************************************ 6 Mar 2004 From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael Greetings from the Academy of S. Gabriel! You wanted to know if or is an appropriate name for a Lowland Scots woman living in Perth around 1400. Here is the information we have found. As you know, in your period, Scotland was the home to many different languages, which were used in different parts of the country and in different circumstances. In Perth, which is in the Lowlands, both Latin and Scots, a language closely related to English, are found. Latin was primarily used as a documentary language for written documents, but in some formal circumstances it was also spoken. We will be recommending both Latin-language and Scots-language forms. As you saw yourself, is found in Scotland in the 14th century. [1] This is a Latin form, representing a Scots , , , or . [3,4] Though we have not found this name right in your period, we believe that it's still a plausible choice. The place name , in Perthshire, is recorded as , c.1200; , 1295; 1330; and 1597. [2] A byname based on this place name is fine; in Latin, we would expect to see the preposition 'of', while Scots forms would use . We were unable to find a place called in Perthshire, and believe this might be a typo. We found one modern place named , and two named . [2] In 1571, we find the surname , which is derived from one of these place names. Given this instance, we believe that (Latin) and (Scots) are both reasonable surnames for you. We hope that this letter has been useful to you and that you won't hesitate to write us again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Arval Benicoeur, Maridonna Benvenuti, Talan Gwynek, and Effrick neyn Kennyeoch. For the Academy, -Aryanhwy merch Catmael, 06Mar2004 -- References: [1] Talan Gwynek, "A List of Feminine Personal Names found in Scottish Records" (WWW: Academy of Saint Gabriel, 1996). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/talan/scottishfem/ [2] Johnston, James B., _Place-Names of Scotland_, 3rd ed. (London: John Murray, 1934). pp. 92, 114. [3] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995). s.n. Nicholas. [4] Withycombe, E.G., _The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names_, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988). s.n. Nicola.