ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1439 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1439 ************************************ 2 Mar 1999 Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel. You asked whether the name is a documentable mid to late 14th century English name. Here's what we found. Before I start, I'd like to clarify the service that the Academy offers. We try to help Societyfolk in choosing and using names that fit the historical cultures they are trying to re-create. Our research can sometimes be used to support submissions to the College of Arms, but that it not our goal and our results are often incompatible with the College's needs. If your main goal is to register a particular name, then we may not be able to help you. We do not recommend either or as a given name for an English woman. was originally a French spelling of the Welsh form of ; it is found in chansons de geste. It was not used as an ordinary given name until it was popularized by Tennyson's _Idylls of the King_, published in 1859, in which the poet adapted Mallory's story of Lancelot and Elaine [1]. However, we did find several English forms of the [1, 2, 3], some from the 14th century; you may wish to use one of these forms: Elena 1213-5, 1301, 1327, 1332, 1346, 1379 Eleyn 1279 Elene 1529 Ellen 1296, 1324, 1347 Ellene 1655 Ellyn 1507 Elen, Ellin 1561 Elota, Ellota 1379 Helen 1486 Helena 1210 Helene 1275 Heleyne 14th C The surname is recorded in the 14th century as 1365 and 1379 [4, 5]. We didn't find the spelling until 1601 [6]. This name derives from the Old English word meaning "bold, impetuous, brave." is a fine 14th century surname. We found 1328, and 1379. Although Chadwyke> isn't one of the spellings we found in your period, we think it is perfectly consistent with 14th century spelling conventions. It was unusual in your period for a person to use two surnames at the same time. Elena, the daughter of Walter Mody, who lived in Chadewyke might have been called sometimes, other times, and or still other times[7]. Wat is a nickname for someone called Walter. If her name were written down, it could well have been recorded with two of these surnames, , but it is unlikely that more than one surname at a time would ever have been used in speech. 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 Affrick neyn Kenyeoch vc Ralte, Arval d'Espas Nord, Aryanhwy Prytydes merch Catmael and Talan Gwynek. In Service to the Academy Margaret Makafee ------------------ References [1] Withycombe, E.G., _The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names_, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988). s.nn. Elaine, Ellen, Helen [2] Talan Gwynek, "Feminine Given Names in _A Dictionary of English Surnames_" (SCA: KWHS Proceedings, 1994; WWW: J. Mittleman, 1997) [URL:http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/talan/reaney/]. [3] Julian Goodwyn, "English Names from pre-1600 Brass Inscriptions" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1997) [URL:http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/arval/brasses/]. [4] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995). s.nn Moodey, Chadwick [5] Bardsley, Charles, _A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames_ (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1980). [6] Hitching, F.K. & S. Hitching, _References to English Surnames in 1601_ (Walton-on-Thames: Chas. A. Bernau, 1910). [7] Reaney, P. H., _The Origin of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1967, reprint 1980), p 83.