Academy of Saint Gabriel Report 340

This report is available at http://www.s-gabriel.org/340

Greetings,

Here's the information we found on the name "Callixte" as used in late-period France.

The male name "Calixtus" is a variant of the name "Callistus," the name of a pope and saint. The likely female version of this name would be "Calliste." "Sernin" is another male name--it comes from the Latin name "Saturninus." (1) Although we didn't find any female forms, the most likely one would be "Sernine." Either of these names are plausible, but would be rare--and they would be far more likely in earlier periods than in later.

We can suggest a few other names from near your period which might be appropriate: (2,3)

• Sybille, Sibille (two examples found in southern France c.1300)
• Simone, Symonne (or Simonette). The masculine was quite common throughout the period, and the feminine came into use early on.
• Suzanne, Susane also Suzet, Suzette.
• Sanchia: Especially in the south, where I have found "Sancho".
• Sabine
• Sainte, Saintisme
• Sarre (A form of Sarah, recorded in use by a Jew and by a Christian)

• Savoureuse
• Secile
• Sedile (Sedille, Sédillon)
• Souplice

We did find a placename called "La Fontaine," (4) so "de la Fontaine" would be an appropriate surname for your period. For your period, each word would be seperate--it generally wasn't contracted into "Lafontaine" until after 1600.

Talan Gwynek, Arval D'Espas Nord, and Tangwystl verch Morgant Glasvryn contributed to this letter.

We hope this has been helpful. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

In service,
Alan Fairfax
Academy of S. Gabriel

(1) Morlet, M. "Les Noms de Personne sur le Territoire de L'Ancienne Gaule du VI au XII Siecle."

(2) Dauzat, A. "Dictionnaire Etymologique des Noms de Famille et Prenoms de France."

(3) Catledge, S. "The 1292 Paris Census." Proceedings of the 1996 Known World Heraldic Symposium.

(4) Dauzat & Rostaing, "Dictionnarie Etymologique de Noms de Lieux de France."