KeinafMedieval English A hypocorism of Welsh feminine names starting with Cein-, such as Ceinwen or Ceindrych. The particle cein itself is derived from Welsh cain meaning "good, lovely".
LangivafMedieval English (Latinized) Latinized form of an uncertain name, probably Old English *Langgifu (composed of the elements lang "long, tall, lasting" and giefu "gift") or perhaps Old Norse Langlíf (otherwise Latinized as Langliva).
LayamonmHistory, Medieval English Medieval form of the Old Norse Lǫgmaðr meaning "lawyer", derived from lǫg "law" and maðr "man". This was the name of an early 13th-century English poet and chronicler known for authoring 'Brut', the first English-language work to feature King Arthur.
Leolinem & fMedieval English, English (Rare) Medieval Anglicization of Llywelyn which has been documented from the 13th century onwards. (Cf. Leolin.) It was borne by Welsh politician Sir Leoline Jenkins (1625-1685)... [more]
Lewesm & fMedieval English Early Modern English form of Louis or sometimes Louisa. Also compare Lewis. A known bearer was Sir Lewes Lewknor (c.1560-1627), an English courtier, writer, soldier and member of Parliament, in whose case Lewes was his mother's maiden name.
LoudeyfMedieval English, Cornish Medieval form of Leofdæg. Although in most of England it died out after the Middle Ages, this name survived in Cornwall, especially in the form Lowdie.
MasotafMedieval English Medieval England feminine form of Matthew, through the Medieval English form Masse with the diminutive ending -ot and Latinate feminine ending -a.
MathewfMedieval English Medieval English vernacular form of Mathea, which was traditionally given to girls born on Saint Matthew's Day (21 September in the West) prior to the English Reformation.
MaycockmMedieval English Middle English diminutive of Matthew, being a diminutive of May, itself a short form of Mayhewe (Old French Mahieu) which was an Anglo-French form of Matthew.
MaykinusmMedieval English Latinized form of the Middle English name Maykin, which was a diminutive of Matthew (formed of May - itself a short form of Mayhewe (Old French Mahieu) which in turn was an Anglo-French form of Matthew - and the diminutive suffix -kin).
MaysantfMedieval English, Anglo-Norman Medieval English form of Maissent which was an Old French form of a Germanic name, either Mathaswintha or *Magisind, *Megisend (derived from *mageną "power" and *swinþs "strong" or *sinþ- "journey").
MaywenfMedieval English Old English name of uncertain meaning. Possibly derived from the name Mægwynn, which is comprised of two elements: mæg and wynn. The first element mæg may be from the Old English mægden meaning "maiden" or "kinsman" (compare Isemay, Rícmæg and Sedemai) or from the Germanic element magan meaning "mighty, strong"... [more]
MeliorfMedieval English (Rare) Older form of Meliora, thought to come from Latin melior "better". Melior occurs as both family name and given name in Christian inscriptions of the Roman Empire... [more]
MenlevafMedieval English Probably from *Meinliofa, an anglicized form of Old German Megenlioba or Meginliuba, derived from the Germanic elements magan "power, strength" and leuba "dear, beloved".
MerwennfEnglish (Rare, Archaic), Medieval English From the Old English name Mærwynn which was derived from mær meaning "famous" and wynn "joy". This was the name of a 10th-century saint, the first abbess of Rumsey convent in Hampshire, England after its 967 restoration under King Edward the Peaceful, and the spiritual teacher of Saint Elfleda.
NabmMedieval English Medieval diminutive of Abel. It used to be a medieval custom to drop syllables before a first name therefore “mine Abel” led to “Nab”.
OrieldafAnglo-Norman, Medieval English Derived from the Germanic Aurildis, from the Germanic elements aus meaning "fire" and hild meaning "battle", it is a variant of the later form Orieldis... [more]
OrtmarmOld High German, Old Saxon, Medieval, Medieval English Old English ord, Old High German ort "point (of a spear or sword)" + Old English mære, Old High German, Old Saxon māri from Proto-Germanic mērijaz "famous".
OsythfMedieval English Medieval form of the Old English name Ósgýð, derived from the elements ós "god" and gyð "war" (perhaps meaning "divine war"). Saint Osyth was a martyr of the 7th century, an Anglian princess who founded a monastery at the village Chich in Essex, which was renamed St Osyth... [more]
OtesmMedieval English Medieval English and Early Modern English name of uncertain origin and meaning. Theories include a variant of Otto.
PaganmAnglo-Norman, Medieval English From Latin paganus meaning "rustic, rural" and later "heathen", which was often given to children whose baptism had been postponed or adults whose religious zeal was lacking. An Anglo-Norman bearer was Sir Pain or Pagan fitzJohn (died 1137), one of the English king Henry I's "new men"... [more]
ParkinmMedieval English Medieval diminutive of Peter. The change from er to ar is a characteristic phonetic development in Old French and Middle English.
PaschafMedieval English, Medieval Latin From Latin pascha meaning "Easter, (feast of) Passover", itself from Ancient Greek πάσχα (pascha). This was traditionally given to girls born around Easter time.
PaviafEnglish (Rare), Medieval English Medieval English name of uncertain origin and meaning. Current theories include a derivation from Old French pavie "peach" and a derivation from Old French Pavie "woman from Pavia", a historic city in Italy... [more]
PentecostefMedieval, Medieval English Greek Πεντηκοστή "the fiftieth Day", the Greek name of the Feast of Weeks, which in Christian traditions was celebrated as the feast commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.... [more]
PerkinmMedieval English Medieval English diminutive of Peter. (The surname Perkins is derived from this medieval diminutive.) A known bearer was Perkin Warbeck (ca... [more]
PosthumafMedieval English (?), English (Archaic) Feminization of Posthumus. (Cf. Postuma.) This was used as a second or third name to indicate the child's father had died before her birth, e.g. Gulielma Maria Posthuma Springett (1644-1694), the wife of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania.
PosthumusmMedieval English Used as a second or third name to indicate the child of a deceased parent. ex. Thomas Posthumus son of Thomas. ... [more]
RedwaldmMedieval English Derives from Old English name Rædwald with ræd meaning "counsel" and weald meaning "power". Redwald was a seventh century king of East Anglia, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom which included the present-day English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.
ScolacefMedieval English English vernacular form of Scholastica. In England it was used as a Christian name from the late 12th century until the Protestant Reformation.
SeabertmMedieval English Derives from the Old English name Sæbeorht from sæ meaning "sea" and beorht meaning "bright".
Seelym & fMedieval English Medieval nickname for a person with a cheerful disposition, from Middle English seely "happy, fortunate" (from Old English sæl "happiness, good fortune"). The word was also occasionally used as a female personal name during the Middle Ages... [more]
SegarmMedieval English Medieval form of Sægar, an Old English name derived from the elements sæ "sea" and gar "spear".
SeigivfMedieval English Medieval form of Sægiefu. It was mentioned by the 12th-century historian Reginald of Durham as belonging to a 7th-century Christian woman from Hawick who, with Rosfrith, had worshipped at the lost chapel of St Cuthbert in the Slitrig valley.
SeliomafMedieval English Etymology uncertain, although it is likely a form of Salome. It is attested in 16th Century England.
SiredafMedieval English Of debated origin and meaning. Current theories include a variant of Sigreda and a feminine form of Sired, the medieval English form of Old English Sigeræd.
SplendorafMedieval English, Italian Medieval English name (found in a Curia Regis Roll item dated 1213), derived from Latin splendor meaning "brilliance, brightness, lustre, distinction". (It was listed in 'A Dictionary of English Surnames' by Dr Reaney, who noted: 'In the Middle Ages there was a fashion for fanciful feminine names, few of which have survived, or given rise to surnames.') This is also the name a small town in the U.S. state of Texas.