ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 3144 http://www.s-gabriel.org/3144 ************************************ 3 Aug 2006 From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You wanted to know if is an appropriate name for an Englishwoman living before 1600. Here is the information we have found. We were unable to find any examples of before 1600, but we did find a name which was in use in the late 16th century which almost certainly came from the same root. The name is or . is identical with the imperative form of the Latin word , and means 'hush, be silent!'. [1] Both and were pronounced something like \TAYS-ee\. By the 16th century, virtually everyone in England was using an inherited surname (functioning like modern-day surnames). Therefore, a literal byname meaning 'of Derby' wouldn't be appropriate. We found one example of the surname in 1599, as well as both and in 1601. [2,3] We can therefore recommend something like as a good name for the late 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, Talan Gwynek, Eleyne de Comnocke, and Adelaide de Beaumont. For the Academy, -Aryanhwy merch Catmael, 03 August 2006 -- References: [1] Withycombe, E.G., _The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names_, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988), s.n. Tace [2] Mari Elspeth nic Bryan, "Names in Chesham, 1538-1600/1" (WWW: Academy of Saint Gabriel, 1999-2001). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/chesham/ [3] Hitching, F.K. & S. Hitching, _References to English Surnames in 1601_ (Walton-on-Thames: Chas. A. Bernau, 1910), p. xxxi.