ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 996 http://www.s-gabriel.org/996 *********************************** ************************************************* * * * NOTE: Some of the Academy's early reports * * contain errors that we haven't yet * * corrected. Please use it with caution. * * * ************************************************* From: "S Friedemann" 9 Jun 1998 Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You were interested in English surnames meaning doctor or healer that were used before 1200. Here is the information we have found. We found very few examples of English surnames with this meaning before 1200, though we found quite a few after. Before 1200, records were usually written in Latin, so while the English surnames might have been in use, we do not know what they were. In your period, we found three Latin terms with the appropriate meanings: "barber" circa 1177, circa 1190, and circa 1210 [3]. While we did not find these as bynames, the dates listed are the earliest that they were found, and they continued in use for quite awhile after this. We also found one surname, , in 1176, that denoted a "dweller or attendant in a hospital." [1] We found a number of examples of people with surnames that denoted doctors or healers after 1200. These are 1272-1307, 1269, 1255, 1279, and the surnames 1221, 1246, also spelled 1281, and 1299. We also found 'the leech' in 1249, though the word itself goes back to Old English. [1,2] Until very recently, , or , meant teacher or professor, not medical doctor. That is why you won't see variants on this reflected in surnames denoting medicine or surgery during the Middle Ages or the Rennaissance. We hope that this letter has been useful to you and that you will not hesitate to write again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Arval Benicoeur, Margaret Makafee, Solveig Throndardottir, Talan Gwynek, Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, and Teceangl Bach. For the Academy, Arianui di Cair Mirdin ----------------------------------------- References: [1] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995), sn. Physik, Barber, [2] Fransson, Gustav, _Middle English Surnames of Occupation, 1100-1350_ Lund: C. W. K. Gleerup, 1935). [3] Latham, R.E. "Revised Medieval Latin Word-List from British and Irish Sources." London: British Academy, 1965.