We have also Berner from Bernier, Bartram from Bertran, Farrant from
Fernand, Terry and Terriss from Thierry, the French form of Ger.
Dietrich (Theodoric), which, through Dutch, has given also Derrick.
Garner, from Ger. Werner, is our Garner and Warner, though these have
other origins (pp. 154, 185). Dru, from Drogo, has given Drew, with
dim. Druitt (Chapter V), and Druce, though the latter may also come
from the town of Dreux. Walrond and Waldron are for Waleran, usually
Galeran, and King Pippin had a retainer named Morant. Saint Leger, or
Leodigarius, appears as Ledger, Ledgard, etc., and sometimes in the
shortened Legg. Among the heroines we have Orbell from Orable, while
Blancheflour may have suggested Lillywhite; but the part played by
women in the Chansons de Geste was insignificant.
THE CHANSONS DE GESTE
As this element in our nomenclature has hitherto received no
attention, it may be well to add a few more examples of names which
occur very frequently in the Chansons de Geste and which have
undoubted representatives in modern English. Allard was one of the
Four Sons of Aymon. The name is etymologically identical with Aylward
(Chapter VII), but in the above form has reached us through French.
Acard or Achard is represented by Haggard, Haggett, and Hatchard,
Hatchett, though Haggard probably has another origin (Chapter XXIII).
Harness is imitative for Harnais, Herneis. Clarabutt is for
Clarembaut; cf. Archbutt for Archembaut, the Old French form of
Archibald, Archbold. Durrant is Durand, still a very common French
surname. Ely is Old Fr. Elie, i.e. Elias (Chapter IX), which had the
dim. Elyot. [Footnote: For other names belonging to this group see
Chapter IX.] We also find Old Fr. Helye, whence our Healey.
Enguerrand is telescoped to Ingram, though this may also come from the
English form Ingelram. Fawkes is the Old Fr. Fauques, nominative
(Chapter VIII) of Faucon, i.e. falcon. Galpin is contracted from
Galopin, a famous epic thief, but it may also come from the common
noun galopin--
"Galloppins, under cookes, or scullions in monasteries."
(Cotgrave.)
In either case it means a "runner." Henfrey is from Heinfrei or
Hainfroi, identical with Anglo-Sax. Haganfrith, and Manser from
Manesier. Neame (Chapter XXI) may sometimes represent Naime, the
Nestor of Old French epic and the sage counsellor of Charlemagne.
Richer, from Old Fr. Richier, has generally been absorbed by the
cognate Richard. Aubrey and Avery are from Alberic, cognate with
Anglo-Sax. AElfric. An unheroic name like Siggins may be connected
with several heroes called Seguin.
ANTIQUE NAMES
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