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ArchivesMathilda and variations
When did Mahtild/Mahtildis (see Matilda) start being used?
I also wonder when the name started being used in Spanish and Italian (Matilde). I cannot seem to find anything about it!
Thank you!
I also wonder when the name started being used in Spanish and Italian (Matilde). I cannot seem to find anything about it!
Thank you!
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Replies
In the Iberian Peninsula at least the name was originally spelt Mafalda. It was introduced by the Italian Princess Mahaut (Maud/Matilda) of Savoy, who married Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal in 1146. A number of her descendents carried the name, including an granddaughter who married the king of Castile and was later beatified.
The latinate form Matilde only became common centuries later, by German influence I believe. Oddly enough both Mafalda and Matilde are very popular in Portugal nowadays.
The latinate form Matilde only became common centuries later, by German influence I believe. Oddly enough both Mafalda and Matilde are very popular in Portugal nowadays.
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That is not correct
Before Mahaut of Savoy, the name was introduced in the Iberian Peninsula by Mahault of Puglia-Calabria (1060-1108), who married the count of Barcelona Ramon Berenguer II in 1078. After the wedding, the name, in the forms Mahaut/Mahalt/Mafalda, was used among Catalan nobility.
Your statement would be probably correct if instead of "In the Iberian Peninsula" said "In Portugal".
Before Mahaut of Savoy, the name was introduced in the Iberian Peninsula by Mahault of Puglia-Calabria (1060-1108), who married the count of Barcelona Ramon Berenguer II in 1078. After the wedding, the name, in the forms Mahaut/Mahalt/Mafalda, was used among Catalan nobility.
Your statement would be probably correct if instead of "In the Iberian Peninsula" said "In Portugal".
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I don't have information about the oldest records of Matilda and its variants but it was in the Early Middle Ages.
The name grew up in popularity since the 10th c., because of the queen Matilda of Ringelheim (c. 895-968), wife of Henry I, king of the East Franks and mother of the king Otto I; later, she was canonized (saint Matilda, March 14).
Other saints and personages helped to spread the name across Europe, as saint Matilde of Hackeborn (13th c.) or Matilde of Tuscany (1046-1115), supporter of the pope Gregory VII, among others.
The name grew up in popularity since the 10th c., because of the queen Matilda of Ringelheim (c. 895-968), wife of Henry I, king of the East Franks and mother of the king Otto I; later, she was canonized (saint Matilda, March 14).
Other saints and personages helped to spread the name across Europe, as saint Matilde of Hackeborn (13th c.) or Matilde of Tuscany (1046-1115), supporter of the pope Gregory VII, among others.
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