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Searle uses secondary compilations, but the primary sources are all 11th C. - Arthor, a bondsman of Aelfric archbishop of York, Arthur, a moneyer of William I in the York mint, Arnthor/Arthur, moneyer of AEthelred II (these from coins, that of William I appears as Althur or arthul [since -thul is nonsense it must be Arthur or Harthulf, the latter moneyer in York appears as Haroulf, artholf and Hrthoulf]), and an Artur mentioned in the Domesday book as Lord in Boxsted, Essex (open Domesday records the name as Arthur, but the manuscript has Artur). There is also an "Arthur the Frenchman" in this period (I have no context for this though and it may be the same as the Artur of Boxsted) The balance of evidence points to it being a Danish name introduced to Britain (esp. York) by Danish settlers in the 9th C. and similarly to France in the 10th C.

This message was edited 8/29/2020, 9:31 AM