Origin of OLIVER, Germanic (?) names of his comrades
Most of my books say that OLIVER has nothing to do with olives, but rather is of Germanic origin. btn presumes, it’s from ALFIHARI, Hanks & Hodges suggest OLAF as the original name. The reason for assuming it’s Germanic usually is: Oliver’s comrades all bear Germanic names. I’ve tried to check this – but I didn’t get very far. So maybe we can gather our pieces of information to get a clearer picture. Thank you!
ACELIN (Engl: Acolin): ???
ANSEÏS (Engl: Anseis): ???
BASAN (one of the two counts, that Charles sent as messengers and that were beheaded by Masilie)
> bibl. Bashan?
BASILIE (dto) > Greek Basilius?
BERENGIER: „Bär“ + „Ger“
ENGELIER: Something with angel or angle?
GANELON (Engl. Guenes) ???
GEBUÏN: ???
GERARD = Gerhard
GERIER (engl: Gerers): something with GER
GERIN (engl.: Gerins): dito
GUINEMAN Heinemann? Engl: GUNMAN („gun“ is probably from Nord. Gunna > Gunhild)
HEINRICH
IVE = Ivo
IVORIE: smells French (originally Lat: ebur, eboris, evory;); another possibility like IGOR = IVOR, „yew bow warrier“
LORANT: sounds like Laurence
MILON (Engl: Milun)
NAIMES: Reaney & Wilson: it’s from Naim: > Old French „nain“ = „dwarf“ (same today) > Lat. nanus
OGIER: ogre??????!!!???
OLIVIER (Engl: Oliver)
OTES: reminds me of Otto
RABEL: maybe „raven“
RICHARD
ROLAND:
SANSON (Engl: Sansun): reminds me of the biblical Samson; R&W: maybe biblical, maybe Celtic
TEDBALT (Engl: Tedbald)
TURPIN: Old High German „thurfan“ = dürfen??? R & W: „Thor“ + „Finnr“ (the Fins)
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Messages

Origin of OLIVER, Germanic (?) names of his comrades  ·  Andy ;—)  ·  12/14/2005, 6:40 AM
Thanx for taking your time! Andy ;—) nt  ·  Andy ;—)  ·  12/16/2005, 11:40 PM
Re: Origin of OLIVER, Germanic (?) names of his comrades  ·  Satu  ·  12/14/2005, 11:16 AM
Re: Origin of OLIVER, Germanic (?) names of his comrades  ·  Miss Claire  ·  12/14/2005, 9:39 AM