English Women's Occupational Bynames in the 12th and early 13th C

by Sara L. Uckelman
known in the SCA as Aryanhwy merch Catmael

© 2005 Sara L. Uckelman; all rights reserved
last updated 18May05
I went through all the 12th and early 13th C feminine names in Talan's index of R&W, and picked out the ones with occupational bynames. I found: Edid le Osteler 1204 Edhiva Cachehare 1240 Alueue Torce c1095 Alice Nunne 1243, la Nonne 1275 Achethe falding, c1155 Alice Cunestabl' 1200 Alice Chepman 1207 Alice Dubedent 1221 Alicia Wire 1221 Alicia Curtle 1231 Alicia aurifrigeria 13th C Agatha le slopere 1279 Agnes le markere 1185 Agnes Tredegold' 1199 Isabella Bonnet 1201 Ysabelle la Lauendere 1253 Ylaria Trussebut 1208 Juliana la Copper 1275 Juliana la Fethere 1296 Nota la Souteres 1312 (a late example) Juliana la Hunter 1312 (a late example) Johanna la Proketour 1301 (a late example) Lucy la Gadde 1277 Mabilia Pullchare 1214 Mabill' Haueker 1221 Matilda Cage 1211 Margerie le Carteres c1275 Petronilla la Sage 1206 Sibyll le Feryere 1279 Sibilla la Custere 1254 So, I'd say, the most common is to use no article, second most to use , and third most to use . There was very little in terms of distinction between the actual byname forms - men and women used the same form. -Aryanhwy