ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 946
http://www.s-gabriel.org/946
***********************************

*************************************************
*                                               *
* NOTE: Some of the Academy's early reports     *
*       contain errors that we haven't yet      *
*       corrected.  Please use it with caution. *
*                                               *
*************************************************


From: 
20 May 1998

Greetings,

Here's the information we found on "Gideon Chesire," which you wanted
to use as an English name from between 1400-1450.

Although "Gideon" is found in the Bible, we didn't find any evidence
that it was used in England during our period.  Most names in the Old
Testament weren't used in English until the time of the Puritans, and
the earliest example of "Gideon" we have dates to 1704. (1) Unless
you're interested in a Puritan persona, we recommend that you choose a
different name.

"Cheshire" is a fine surname for your period, although that particular
spelling is modern (it's first recorded in 1702). (2)  We found these
spellings:

* Chessire (1597) (2)
* Chessyr (1442) 
* Chesshyre (1575) (3)

We hope this has been helpful, and that we can continue to assist you.

Arval Benicoeur, Talan Gwynek, Aryanhwy Prytydes verch Catmael
Caermyrdin, and Margaret MacDuibsidhe contributed to this letter.

In service,
Alan Fairfax
Academy of S. Gabriel

(1) Untitled Web page
http://www5.pair.com/vtandrew/family/i0006534.htm#i6534

(2) Oxford English Dictionary.

(3) Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_
(London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995).