Latinized Names from 12th Century Jerusalem
Alissa Pyrich
(known in the SCA as Alys Mackyntoich)
September 2014
A few formatting problems, but otherwise this is complete.
The data in this article was extracted from fourteen Latin-language charters issued by Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem, between 1144 and 1160. These charters were issued either by Melisende individually or jointly with her son King Baldwin. The charters are published on Epistolæ (http://epistolae.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/), a website maintained by Columbia University collecting writings to and from women in the Middle Ages. The letters are transcribed in the original Latin with translations into modern English by Professor Joan Ferrante of Columbia University.
Naming Patterns
The most common name pattern for men
is a locative byname. Most frequently,
such names occur in the data as [given
name] + de + [place name].
Some
men are identified based on a third declension genitive form of the place name,
e.g., Philippus Neapolitanus, Johannes
Tyrensis. This form is most commonly
used for church officials and rulers of a place, but is also sometimes used for
non-ruling nobles. It is not clear
whether this form would ever have been used for anything except a written
record. For SCA purposes, however, it
would probably be registerable as the written form of a name.
A smaller number of men are
identified by occupational bynames, generally based on functions of the court, e.g., Petrus thesaurarius, Guillelmus
marescalcus regis. At least one man
is identified as someone’s servant, Robertus
Crispini pincerna (“Robert, Crispin’s butler”).
Finally,
some men are identified by a given name plus an umarked byname. Some of these bynames are clearly descriptive
in nature. For example:
Guillelmus
Rufus (“the red”)
Fulco
Niger (“the black”)
Albertus
Lombardus (“the Lombard”)
Other meanings
are less clear. Where I have been able
to give a reasonable interpretation of the meaning of a byname, I have.
Only
a small number of women are identified in the charters. With the exception of Queen Melisende, they
do not have independent bynames, but are known merely as the wives of their
husbands. Melisende (most commonly known
as Milisendis in the documents) is
identified by her title as Queen of Jerusalem.
Given Names
The bolded header forms are the most
common nominative forms of the given names.
The forms under the heading are those actually found in the texts. Where the nominative form is not found in any
of the texts, I have extrapolated the likely nominative form based on other
period examples.
Note
that only the nominative forms can be used to create given names for SCA
purposes. Forms ending in –i generally are genitive forms and can
be used to create patronymic surnames using the pattern [given name] + filius + [genitive father’s name], e.g., Arnulfus filius Crispini.
1. Male Given Names
Aimericus
Aimericus (1146,
1160)
Albagnanus
Albaganus (1156)
Albertus
Albertus (1151,
1156, 1160)
Amalricus
Amalrici (1152,
1155, 1156)
Amalricus (1150,
1151, 1156, 1160)
Andreas
Andreas (1151,
1155)
Angerannus
Angeranni
(1159)
Arnulfus
Arnulfus
(1151)
Babinus
Babinus
(1151, 1152, 1155)
Balduinus
Ba[l]dwinus
(1144)
Baldeuinus
(1146-47)
Baldewino
(1150)
Balduini
(1152, 1156, 1160)
Balduino
(1146-47)
Balduinus
(1146, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1159, 1160)
Barisanus
Barisanus
(1160)
Bencelinus
Bencelinus
(1152)
Bencellinus
(1151)
Benedictus
Benedictus
(1146)
Bernardus
Bernardus
(1144, 1146)
Bertram
Bertram
(1160)
Bertrannus
(1156)
Britius
Britius
(1150)
Costantius
Costantius
(1146-47)
Crispinus
Crispini
(1146)
Ermenaudus
Ermenaudus
(1152)
Ernesius
Erneis
(1150)
Ernesius
(1146)
Eustachius
Eustachius
(1151, 1155)
Fridericus
Fiderici
(1156)
Friderici
(1156)
Fulco
Fulco
(1144, 1150, 1152, 1159)
Fulconis
(1146-47, 1151, 1155)
Galterius
Galterius
(1159)
Gauterius
(1151)
Galvannus
Galvannus
(1155)
Gaufridus
Gaufridus
(1146-47, 1151, 1156)
Godefridus
(1146)
Godofridi
(1152)
Georgius
Georgius
(1151)
Geraldus
Geraldus
(1146)
Giraldus
(1156)
Gerardus
Gerardus
(1146-47, 1159, 1160)
Geraudi
(1159)
Geraudus
(1159)
Girardus
(1144, 1151)
Gerbertus
Gerbertus
(1160)
Gilbertus
Gilbertus
(1151)
Gillebertus
(1160)
Gislebertus
Gislebertus
(1160)
Gormundus
Gormundus
(1159)
Guermundus
(1159)
Guido
Guido
(1155)
Guidoni
(1146)
Guidonis
(1156, 1160)
Gunterius
Gunterius
(1160)
Helias
Helias
(1152)
Henricus
Henricus
(1156)
Herbertus
Herberti
(1146)
Herbertus
(1150, 1152, 1159)
Hugo
Hugo
(1155, 1159)
Hugonis
(1156)
Humfredus
Humfredus
(1155, 1159)
Iohannes
Ihoannem
(1151)
Iohannes
(1150, 1151, 1152, 1155)
Iohannis
(1151)
Johannes
(1146, 1160)[1]
Lambertus
Lambertus
(1160)
Manasses
Manases
(1150)
Manasses
(1146, 1151)
Marinus
Marinus
(1159)
Milo
Milo
(1146-47)
Nicholaus
Nicholaus
(1150, 1151, 1152)
Odo
Odo
(1152, 1155, 1159)
Orricus
Orricus
(1146, 1151)
Ottho
Ottho
(1159)
Paganus
Paganus
(1146)
Petrus
Petres
(1150)
Petros
(1150)
Petrosus
(1151, 1155)
Petrus
(1146, 1146-47, 1150, 1151)
Philippus
Philippus
(1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1159)
Pilatus
Pilatus
(1160)
Radulfus
Radulfi
(1146, 1146-47, 1155, 1159, 1160)
Radulfus
(1151, 1160)
Radulphus
(1152)
Rodulphi
(1156)
Raimundus
Raimundo
(1146-47)
Raimundus
(1146-47)
Rainaldus
Rainaldus
(1146-47, 1150, 1156)
Raynaldus
(1160)
Rainardus
Rainardus
(1159)
Rainerius
Rainerius
(1156)
Rainerus
(1160)
Ranerius
(1146-47)
Robertus
Roberto
(1146-47)
Robertus
(1146, 1146-47, 1155, 1156, 1159)
Roches
Roches
(1152)
Rogerius
Rogerius
(1146-47, 1151)
Rohardus
Roardus
(1156)
Rohardi
(1146-47)
Rohardus
(1144, 1146-47, 1150, 1151, 1152, 1159, 1160)
Sado
Sado
(1144, 1146)
Salomon
Salomon
(1151)
Senoreth
Senoreth
(1150)
Stephanus
Stephani
(1159)
Stephanus
(1146-47, 1160)
Symon
Simon
(1160)
Symon
(1151, 1159)
Thomas
Thomas
(1151, 1155)
Thosetus
Thosetus
(1152)
Umbertus
Umbertus
(1151)
Willelmus
Gilelmus
(1146-47)
Guglielmus
(1156)
Guillelmus
(1155, 1159, 1160)
Willelmi
(1146-47, 1152)
Willelmo
(1159, 1160)
Willelmus
(1159)
Ysaac
Ysaac
(1155)
2.
Female Given
Names
Bruna
Bruna (1155)
Brunaquoque (1151)
Geltidis
Geltidis (1152)
Gilla
Gille (1146-47)
Milisendis
Melisendis (1156)
Milesendis (1150, 1152)
Milisenda (1146-47)
Milisendis (1144, 1146, 1151, 1155, 1159, 1160)
Milsendis (1146-47)
Odula
Odula (1146-47)
3.
“Syrian” Given Names
Two charters (1150 and 1152)
identify a number of persons as “Syrians” (“Surianos” in Latin). I have sorted these names separately,
including only the names of persons specifically identified as “Syrians.” Where the individuals have bynames, those are
provided.
Ariz
Bolferag
Brahim
Brahin
Cosmas
Demsis
Gerges
Hapderahmen
Hasem
Iacob
Ihanna
Kannet
Mahmut
Meferreg
Melpedem
Mozzageth suriano
Nasen
Nazer
Resselelm
Rosee
Sade
Sahe
Salem
Salem filio Sade
Samuel
Seimahian
Seleemen
Selim
Selmen filio Maadi
Tameh
Ysaac
Zafer
C. Bynames
1. Marked Locatives
Name in the Text
|
Likely Modern Form
|
Dates
|
de Acu
|
Acre?
|
1146-47
|
de Bar
|
1151
| |
de Barra
|
1155
| |
de Branca forti
|
1156
| |
de Burri
|
1146-47
| |
de Frandolio
|
1146-47
| |
de Funda
|
1160
| |
de Gau
|
1146-47
| |
de Gerin
|
1150
| |
de Gossedo
|
Grosseto
|
1156
|
de Guella
|
1159
| |
de Hibelino
|
Ibelin
|
1156
|
de Hosdenc
|
1160
| |
de Ioppe
|
Jaffa
|
1160
|
de Lisuncort
|
1151
| |
de Mahomeriola
|
Mahomeria
|
1159
|
de Monte Barro
|
1155
| |
de Monte Lauduno
|
1146-47
| |
de Nazareth
|
Nazareth
|
1152
|
de Neapoli
|
Nablus
|
1150
|
de Neapolim
|
Nablus
|
1156
|
de Pazi
|
Paz
|
1146
|
de Perregort
|
Périgord
|
1151
|
de Pirregort
|
Périgord
|
1150
|
de Porta
|
1156
| |
de Regiteste
|
Rethel
|
1152
|
de Risberge
|
1159
| |
de Rochia
|
Roche or la Roche?
|
1155
|
de Sancto Amando
|
1155, 1159
| |
de Sancto Audemaro
|
1159
| |
de Sancto Valerio
|
1159
| |
de Samusac
|
1160
| |
de Satorono
|
1155
| |
de Torone
|
Toroni
|
1159
|
de Turcarme
|
1152
| |
de Valancienes
|
Valenciennes
|
1150
|
de Valentienes
|
Valenciennes
|
1152
|
de Valentiennes
|
Valenciennes
|
1160
|
de Ybelino
|
Ibelin
|
1155
|
2. Unmarked Locatives
Name in the Text
|
Likely Modern Form
|
Dates
|
Antiocheni (gen.)
|
of Antioch
|
1156
|
Ascalonis
|
of Ascalon
|
1155, 1156, 1160
|
Ascalonitanus
|
of Ascalon
|
1156
|
Bethlemita
|
of Bethlehem
|
1151
|
Cesariensis
|
of Caesarea
|
1159
|
Jerosolimis
|
of Jerusalem
|
1146-47
|
Jerosolimitanus
|
of Jerusalem
|
1144, 1159, 1160
|
Laodicensis
|
of Laodicea
|
1159, 1160
|
Neapolis
|
of Nablus
|
1146-47
|
Neapolitanus
|
of Nablus
|
1151, 1155, 1156, 1159, 1160
|
Rametensis
|
of Ramla
|
1146-47
|
Rigitestensis
|
1159
| |
Sydoniensis
|
of Sidon
|
1146
|
Torpeiensis
|
1146
| |
Tyberiadensis
|
of Tyberias
|
1159
|
Tyrensis
|
of Tyre
|
1146
|
3. Occupational Bynames
I have not included unique titles such as King, Queen, Master of the Temple or Master of the Hospital.
Name
|
Meaning
|
Dates
|
abbas
|
abbot
|
1146, 1146-47, 1151, 1156
|
archiepiscopus
|
archbishop
|
1146-47
|
archidiaconus
|
archdeacon
|
1146, 1160
|
camerarius
|
chamberlain
|
1150, 1151, 1152
|
cancellarius
|
chancellor
|
1146, 1146-47, 1150, 1155, 1159, 1160
|
castellanus
|
castellan
|
1155, 1159, 1160
|
canonicus
|
canon
|
1151, 1159
|
clericus
|
clerk, clergyman
|
1156
|
constabularus, constabularius
|
constable
|
1150, 1151, 1155, 1159
|
dapifer
|
steward
|
1151
|
episcopus
|
bishop
|
1146, 1146-47, 1151, 1156, 1159
|
Falconarius
|
falconer
|
1156
|
Iudex
|
judge, arbiter
|
1156, 1159
|
li Fanchenirs
|
falconer
|
1152
|
li Palmentirs
|
tailor
|
1150
|
marescalcus
|
marshal
|
1144, 1159, 1160
|
Mercatibus
|
merchant
|
1156
|
Notarius
|
notary
|
1156
|
prior
|
prior
|
1146, 1159, 1160
|
picerna
|
butler, cup-bearer
|
1146
|
thesaurarius
|
treasurer
|
1146, 1146-47
|
scriba
|
scribe
|
1150
|
subprior
|
sub-prior
|
1146
|
4. Other Bynames
Name
|
Likely Meaning
|
Dates
|
Asinus
|
perhaps descriptive, “donkey, ass”
|
1155
|
Bastardi (gen.)
|
descriptive, “bastard”
|
1152
|
Bencellinus
|
1150, 1151
| |
Bubalus
|
perhaps descriptive, “antelope, gazelle” or “wild ox”
|
1151, 1159, 1160
|
Capelle
|
perhaps locative, “chapel” or “of the chapel”
|
1146-47
|
Fulcherij
|
1150
| |
Gumbaldi
|
1146
| |
Lombardus
|
descriptive, “the Lombard”
|
1151
|
Longobardus
|
descriptive, “the Lombard”
|
1150
|
Malduit
|
1151
| |
Niger
|
descriptive, “black, dusky, swarthy”
|
1159
|
Normannus
|
descriptive, “the Norman”
|
1159
|
Palacii (gen.)
|
perhaps locative, “palace” or “of the palace”
|
1146-47
|
Passerellus
|
1144, 1146, 1159, 1160
| |
Rufus
|
descriptive, “red”
|
1151, 1160
|
Salomon
|
1153
| |
Sechir
|
1150
| |
Strabo
|
perhaps descriptive, “cross-eyed man”
|
1149, 1150, 1151
|
Tortus
|
perhaps descriptive, “twisted, crooked”
|
1159
|
Vacarius
|
1160
| |
Vacher
|
1144, 1146, 1151
| |
Vacherius
|
1144, 1146
|
D. Place Names
Names in the Text
|
Likely Modern Form
|
Dates
|
Anquina
|
1151, 1155
| |
Ascalonis, Ascalone
|
Ascalon
|
1160
|
Ascar, Aschar
|
Askar
|
1159, 1160
|
Baineolbederan
|
1160
| |
Bethanam
|
Bethany
|
1159
|
Bethfella
|
1146
| |
Bethleem
|
Bethlehem
|
1150, 1151
|
Bethsurie
|
Bethsuria
|
1152
|
Cafermelich
|
1151, 1155
| |
Calandria
|
Calandria
|
1152
|
Casracos
|
1159, 1160
| |
Cesariae (gen.)
|
Caesarea
|
1156
|
Corteis
|
1156
| |
Dersabeth
|
1156
| |
ecclesie beatissime Virginis Marie de valle Josaphat
|
Church of the Holy Virgin Mary in the valley of Josaphat
|
1159
|
ecclesie sancti Johannis
|
Church of Saint John
|
1146-47
|
ecclesie Sancti Lazari
|
Church of Saint Lazarus
|
1144
|
ecclesia Sancte Marie Vallis Josaphat
|
Churche of Saint Mary of the Valley of Josaphat
|
1146
|
ecclesie Sancti Sepulcri
|
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
|
1155
|
Emaus
|
Emmaus
|
1146-47
|
Geliadia
|
Geladia
|
1160
|
Hierusalem, Ierusalem, Iherosolimis, Jerusalem
|
Jerusalem
|
1144, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1159
|
Ioppe, Ioppen, Joppe
|
Jaffa
|
1146-47, 1160
|
Megina
|
1151, 1155
| |
Mezera
|
1151, 1155
| |
Ramethes
|
Ramle
|
1152
|
Thaeresibena
|
1146
| |
Tyro, Tyrum
|
Tyre
|
1146, 1156
|
Viridis
|
1160
| |
Vuetmoamel
|
1156
|
