Sample of English Names

This sample of names taken from Durham county, England, from various wills in inventories during the 16th century. This, in no way, can fully represent all of the names found in England at the time but can give a good review of what would have been known, at least in that area of the time. I tried to lump together various spellings of the same name together, though some variations might be listed separately. I could have also mistaken a separate name as a variation, so draw you own conclusions.

In this sample, I listed the names under Women's Given Names, Men's Given Names, Surnames, and Locations. I did not list locations as locative by-names, since they do not seem to be used on their own in place of a Surname but rather after it to further describe where they were from. The locations themselves appear to be more of a formality and not always used.

Examples of combined names would be "Cuthberte Harbotele of Hackforth" or "Barberye Haggthroppe" or "Humphrey Swynborne of Togston, in the parish of Warkworth"

The last, I only took few examples, but it could be useful for those developing a character someone in the SCA creating a persona name.

example: "Mauglen Strangwishe of Lyndhaven, in the principality of Tir Mara"

given name surname shire/smaller group principality/larger group

Woman's Given Name

Agnes, Agnesse

Alice , Alyce, Allis, Allice, Alles

Alison, Alleson, Allysone, Auinson

Anne, Ann, An

Annesse, Annes, Annas

Auesonne

Barbara , Barbare, Barberye

Beil, Beyll

Besse, Bessie

Brydgitt

Cecilie, Cecill, Cicell, Cicilie, Sissilie, Sisseley

Christien

Christobell

Cristye

Dorothy, Dorothye, Dorithy, Dorthe, Dorathye, Doritie

Dyna

Ellen

Elynor , Elyoner, Elioner, Ellinor, Elyner, Elianer, Elloner

Elsabith, Esabeth, Elizabeth, Elisabethe, Elsabythe, Elyzabeth, Elisabeth, Elsapeth

Fayth

Florence

Fortune, Forton

Frances, Francis

Grace

Helen

Hellenor

Isabell, Esabell, Elsebell, Essabell, Esable, Isbell, Isabelle, Yssabell

Isabella

Jane, Jan, Jayn, Jhayne, Jaine, Jayne, Jayn, Jeane, Jean

Janet, Janett, Jennet, Jennat, Genet, Jenate, Jenatt

Johannet

Jellyan, Julian

Joan

Juliane

Katheryn, Katherine, Kathirine , Katheron, Catherine

Kusteris

Luce

Mabell

Margery, Margerye, Margerre, Margerie

Margaret, Margat, Margrate, Margarett, Margret, Margreat

Marie, Marye, Mary

Marion, Maryan, Maryon

Martha

Mauglen

Mawld, Mawde

Meriall

Phillis, Phillis

Rebecca, Rebacca

Suzane, Susana

Thomazin, Thomasine, Thomazin

Ursuly, Ursula

Men's Given Name

Adam

Andrewe, Andro

Anthonye, Anthony, Anthonie

Archbould

Arthure

Ambrose

Alexander

Barthe

Bartram

Bryan

Christofer, Christopher, Christofor

Cuthbert, Cuthberte

Charles

Deane

Den

Edwarde, Edward

Edmunde, Edmund

Euyn

Francis

Gabriell

Gawen

George, Georg

Gerard

Germayne

Gilbert, Gylbert

Gillian

Godfrey

Gyeles

Harye

Hector

Henry, Henrye

Helyng

Hewgh, Heugh, Hewghe, Hughe, Hewe

Jamys, James, Jaymes

Jarard, Jarrard, Jerrerd

Jarret

Jaspar

John, Johne, Johan, Jhon

Jasper

Kobert (Robert?)

Lancelot, Lanclott, Lanslet, Lanslett, Lancelote

Lamwell

Leonard, Lanard

Lewis

Laurence, Lawrence

Lyones

Lyonell

Mathew, Matthew, Mathewe

Marke, Mark

Martayn, Martine, Martyn, Martyne

Marmaduke, Marmeduke

Michell, Mychaell, Mychell

Myghall

Mydfurthe

Nycoles, Nicholas, Nycholas

Odnall

Oswyne

Oswold, Oswolde, Oswald, Uswolde

Patryke

Percyvall, Percivell

Peires

Peter

Randell, Rundall

Ralph , Rauffe, Rawfe, Raff, Rauf, Rawff, Rauff, Ralffe, Raphe

Ranolde

Reginolde, Reignolde

Robert, Robarte

Richard, Rycherde, Richerd, Rychard, Rycherd, Richarde

Robert, Roberta (uncle’s name), Robrt

Roger

Rowland, Rouland

Rynyone

Sampson

Stevne, Stephen

Symond

Thomas

Tristram

Tymothie

Umfray, Umphrey, Umfraie, Umfraye, Humphrey

Walter

William, Wyllm

Surname

Ambrose

Arrossmythe

Armestrong, Armestronge

Armyn

Armorer

Atkinsone, Atkinson

Allandson

Allen

Anderson

Appelbie

Aske

Ayre

Ayton

Bailey

Baills

Bedyke

Baites

Bateman

Baylls, baills

Bayker

Baxter

Burdon

Barker

Bartram

Barton

Baxter

Bewyke, Bewicke

Benson

Beckham

Bednell

Braccenbe

Bainbrigge, Bainebrigge, Bainbrigg

Bell

Bellasses

Bettlestonne

Benett

Bewicke

Basnett

Bilton

Burrell

Burlessone

Blackman

Blenkenshope

Blythman

Birkehead

Blaikden

Blakiston

Blaxton

Blaixton

Blunt

Blownt, Blount

Bois

Bone

Boothe

Booker

Bowdon

Bowswell

Boutflower

Bourn

Bowden

Bramall

Brasse

Brakenby

Bradeley

Brewester

Bryane

Brigham

Browne

Brandling

Brackenbury

Buck

Burlessone

Burden

Burrell

Butter

Byerley, Byerlaye

Cay

Cassope

Carnabbe

Catrick, Catriok

Carter

Chator, Chaitor

Charlton

Colynwood

Carr, Carre

Camber

Chamber

Carnabye, Carnabie

Chamber

Chappman, Chapman

Chilton

Clarke

Claverne

Clerk

Cleoburne, Cleoburne

Clewghe

Cocke

Cloughe

Coockeson, Cockson

Collyson

Cornefourthe

Constable

Coteeforthe

Collingwood

Coltard

Coltman

Conyares, Conyers

Coperwhate

Cowpelande

Cramer

Cralington, Cramlington, Cramlyngton

Crane, Crayne

Craister, Craster

Cramer

Crawforthe

Craycall

Crage

Craster

Collingwood

Cook, Cooke

Conyers

Cottesworthe

Claxton

Crathorne

Chaitor, Chator

Daltone

Davynson, Davison

Davey

Dearham

Delavell, Delaval

Daniell

Dente, Dent

Dennyson

Dickinson, Dixkinson, Dykkinson

Digglee

Dinsdall

Dacre

Dalton

Dyxon, Dixon

Dawney

Duckett

Dobson

Donne, Dunne, Dune

Dossy

Dowghtwhett, Doughtwhett

Eirkehouse

Elyson, Ellison

Ellikar

Elstoppe

Elstobbe

Elwood

Emerson

Eryngton, Erington, Eringtonn

Ewrie

Eden

Edgar

Egleston

Ewbank

Fairbanks

Farnaby

Fawell

Fetherston

Fetherstonhaugh

Fennyk, Fennyke, Fenyk, Fenyke

Fenwik, Fenwyk, Fenwicke

Ferrye

Fewler

Fintche

Fishe

Flower

Forster

Franckleyne, Francklyn

Francis

Franche

Frissell

Fuister

Furrowe

Fyeffe

Gack

Gallon

Garnett

Garthe

Gardiner

Geilson

Gibson

Gipson

Girlington

Golle

Glover

Gooderyche

Grene

Grenewell

Gregsou

Gregge

Gyrdler

Gucyne

Gray

Grayed

Hacforth

Haisteye

Hagthorpe, Haggthroppe

Haisteye

Halliday

Halliman

Harbotele, Harbotell

Harding

Hasslewoode

Harwoode

Hawton

Hebborne

Heath

Harrigaite, Harrogait

Herrisone, Heryson

Heighingtone

Helcott, Helcot

Heron

Harteborne

Hardynge

Hall

Hallowell

Hebborne

Hedley

Heghington

Heth

Hicson

Hilton

Hindmas

Harle

Hodgson, Hodgeson

Hodschon, Hodshon

Hogerde

Hondley

Hopper

Hoppine

Horsley, Horssley

Houghell

Howlesworth

Hewton

Hevisydes

Hicson

Hiltone

Hudspethe

Hutcheson, Hutchinson

Hubberstee

Hudspethe, Hudspeth

Hunter

Hutton, Hutone

Hyghley

Ironside

Jeffrason

Jenison

Jennyngson

Johnson

Jollye

Katherick

Kaye

Kaylame

Keathe

Keye

Kirkbye

Kirkehouse

Kirton

Killinghall

Kiplinge, Kiplin

Kinge

Lackenbye

Lampton

Lancaster

Lasse

Lawes

Lawson

Laxe

Leddell, Liddle

Lee

Lighten

Lighlye

Lockye

Lowghanbye

Ludge

Lygthone

Lewen

Macame

Maddeson

Maire

Marley

Mallorye

Marshall

Marwodd

Maxsone

Maughan, Maugham

Medcalf

Mytford, Metfford, Mitford

Mytfourthe, Mettfourthe

Midfourth, Mydforthe, Mydfurthe

Mill

Milbourne, Mylburne

Miller

Moberley

Morgaine

Morland

Morpeth

Morley

Morton

Mowl, Mowell

Moyser

Muschaunce

Mylborne

Myllot

Midelton, Middleton

Newbye

Newton

Nichell

Norman

Nycholson, Nicholson

Ogell, Ogle

Oliver, Olyver, Ollever

Orde

Orpwood

Pacoke

Paige

Palmes

Pape

Pasinor

Paker

Parkinn

Parkinson, Parkingson

Patteson

Payckock

Pawlin

Pele

Percye

Pickeringe

Pine

Porter

Potter

Pressick

Preston

Prestwigg

Prierman

Philloppe

Rand, Rande

Ratliffe, Ratclif

Rackett

Ranoldsonne

Ray

Rampshawe

Raw, Rawe

Rippes

Rogerlie

Rolandsone

Rounseforth

Rowthe

Rede

Redheade

Reivelye

Rey

Ruddesforth

Rukebye, Rukeby

Russell

Rutless

Rutlodge

Robynson, Robinsonne

Riddell

Rypley

Sands

Sanderson

Salkeld

Salving

Sayr, Saier, Sawer

Scott

Selby, Selbie

Salkeld

Semer

Shaiftoo, Shaftoe

Sharpe

Shawdfurthe, Sandefurthe, Shaldeforthe

Sherewood

Sheill, Shell

Sigeswike, Sighwicke, Sigwick, Sigswicke, Sigswick

Silvertop

Singleton

Skaythlocke

Smathwhaite

Smythe, Smith

Smorquet

Softly

Sotheran

Spence

Spencer

Stampfurthe

Stappltone

Stele

Stellin

Stevensone

Stewart

Strangwishe, Strangwyche

Still

Stokar

Stones

Storey

Strother

Stampe, Stamp

Surteis, Surttes, Surttees, Surtes

Swan, Swann

Swynborne, Swineborne

Teasdaile, Teasdell

Tynmothe

Tobie

Todd, Tood, Tod

Tompson, Thompson

Toller

Toplyffe

Trotter

Troullope, Troloppe

Townes

Turner

Turping

Taylor, Tailyer, Tayler

Teisdaill

Tempest

Teddcastell

Thewe

Thursbie, Thursby

Throckmorton

Ubancke

Wales

Wall

Walgrauve

Wandisforde

Wardayle

Warde

Watter

Weddefeld

Welfoott

Whelpden

Wheatley

White

Whitfeild, Whytfelde, Whitfelde, Whitfeld

Wilson

Wild

Williamson

Wivell

Woldhave

Woodfall

Woller

Wordye

Wright

Wylkeson, Wilkinson, Welkenson

Whetston, Wedeston

Wharton, Whorton

Watson

Wythrington, Wuddrington, Witheringtone, Wederington

Welche

Whitfeild

Wyckylffe

Wylley

Wympraye, Wimfrey

Wyvell, wivell

Vacye

Volenbye

Yong

Location

of Aislebie

of Allandell

of Acklington park

of Alnewicke, Alnewick, Allnwick

of Ascoyn

of Aughton

of Barnardcastle

of Bemishe

Brimley of Hart

of Billingham

of Blackwell

of Blakden

of Barnardcastell

of Bekley

of Bellisis

of Beamont-hill

of Brenkburne

of Bevington

of Consyde

of Chester

of Cotom

of Captheton

of Cunsley

of Cockefeild

of Duresme

of Denton

of Derlinton

of Dissington

of the cytye of Dureham

of Durham

of Dunstanbrough

of Elswicke

of Espersheles

of Fyshbume

of Ferrye one the Hill

of Gateshead

of Gatsyde

of Gybsyde

of Haydon Bridge

of Hackforth

of Hawkwell

of Harpeley

of Hyendon

of Holy Hand

of Hooton Bonvell

of Horton Grainge

of Hoppine

of Hedlehoppe

of Has well Grainge

of Hunstanworth

of Hexame

of Heddon

of Hulle parke

of Kirkharll

of Kepyer

of Kendall

of Killom

of Littylle Whetton

of Langley

of Langton

of Lerchild

of Newcastell, of Newcastle

of Nonstaynton

of Newishame

of Northe Awkland

of Offerton

of Osmondcroft

of Pauston

of Ruisewigge

of Seassey

of Seaton

of Shipley

of Stanop

of Stanley

of Stockton

of Sighill

of Stockden upon Tease

of Titlington

of Thornlye

of Tudbury

of Togston

of Togston, in the parish of Warkworth

of Westow

of Wynyerde

of Wallyke

of Walworthe

of Walworth moore

of Wittingham

of Wesshyngton

of Worsall

of Wyngait Graung

of Walworth

of Winlinton

of Wearshead

of Wolveston, parish of Billingham

of Whickham

of Warwickbrigg