ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 3067 http://www.s-gabriel.org/3067 ************************************ 23 May 2005 From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael (no address) Greetings from the Academy of S. Gabriel! You wanted to know if is an appropriate name for an Elizabethan men. Here is the information we have found. The word came into use as a masculine given name in England in the 16th century, where it generally was used for a first-born son. [1] We found one example of a family where the eldest sons for three generations all had the name [2]: Original Bellamy, born 1539 Original, his son and heir, Original, his son and heir, who was baptized December 29, 1606. Your choice of surname is fine; we found the spelling in 1562. [3] During your period, would have been an inherited family name, not a literal byname. It's entirely possible that a family that adopted the name in the 14th century could have remained in the same business for 200 years; but in general, surnames did not in general describe their bearers in the 16th century. 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, and Talan Gwynek. For the Academy, -Aryanhwy merch Catmael, 23 May 2005 -- References: [1] Withycombe, E.G., _The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names_, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988). s.n. Original [2] Bardsley, Charles Wareing, _Curiosities of Puritan Nomenclature_ (Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1970). pp. 128-9 [3] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995). s.n. Ostler