Names From Old Edinburgh, 1597-1598

by Mari ingen Briain meic Donnchada (Kathleen M. O'Brien)


© 2012 by Kathleen M. O'Brien. All rights reserved.
Version 1.1, updated 12 February 2012


Introduction

 

Acknowledgements

Thanks go to Effric Neyn Kenȝocht Mcherrald (Sharon Krossa) for feedback and advice that has helped me improve this article, especially regarding orthography and formats found in Scottish manuscripts that she has studied from the first half of the 17th C.

 

The Entries

The names found in this article are taken from the Old Edinburgh Register, the span of which from 30 Nov 1597 through 21 Mar 1598, was published in the The Scottish Antiquary or Northern Notes and Queries, volume X, in 1896. From the entries listed, this seems to be a marriage register. However, there is no description provided for this source. There is a reference to a portion of this register published earlier in volume IX, but I have not yet been able to locate a copy of that volume to review.

In total, this transcription covers 183 entries, each of which lists two people in the normal format for marriage listings of that time. Some examples include:

Patrick Dudgeon, wrycht, and Elspaith Levingstoun. [p. 34, dated 30 Nov 1597]

Alexr bathgat and Margaret Clappertoun. [p. 35, dated 03 May 1598]

Mr Robert Lermount, advocat, and Margaret skene. [p. 38, dated 28 Feb 1598]

Note that the dates given follow the old year format where the new year began on March 25th. Using modern notation, the last entry quoted above would be dated 28 Feb 1599.

From the variety of spellings shown in these entries, it is likely that little to no spelling normalization was done when these records were transcribed in 1896. However, it seems certain that punctuation editorial changes were made, and perhaps some occasional capitalization changes. See the "Punctuation and Capitalization" section below.

 

Z Used for the Yogh (Ȝ) Character

Yogh (capital Ȝ, lowercase ȝ) is a character that was used in Middle Scots and Middle English. It was pronounced approximately like the y at the beginning of the words you or yes in modern English.

A standard convention in 19th century when transcribing manuscripts into typeface (and into the 20th century as well) was to represent the yogh character (ȝ) using a z. Entries in this list which exhibit this convention include:

Johnne Makilmun, tallor, and Christiane Zoung. [p. 36, dated 12 Jul 1898]

Johnne henrysonne and Elspaith Zoung. [p. 36, dated 19 Jul 1898]

Henrie zoung, baxter, and Jonat Walker. [p. 36, dated 21 Jun 1898]

Thomas Zuill and Margaret tallour. [p. 36, dated 15 Nov 1898]

Andrew pudzeon, tallor, and Jonat bowen. [p. 38, dated 07 Feb 1898]

In these cases, the surnames Zoung, zoung, Zuill, and pudzeon that appear in these entries respectively, would appear as Ȝoung, ȝoung, Ȝuill, and pudȝeon in the original manuscript.

 

Punctuation and Capitalization

According to Effric Neyn Kenȝocht Mcherrald (Sharon Krossa), the Scottish manuscripts that she has studied from the late 16th C have inconsistent capitalization in names and punctuation is mainly limited to periods at the ends of sentences and commas to delimit clauses in a sentence, but not in lists. Also, a mark that appears similar to an apostrophe is sometimes used to mark abbreviations, but an apostrophe as we know it today does not appear in those manuscripts to indicate possessive.

The 19th C transcription of this list shows mixed capitalization but nearly perfect use of commas. Based on the manuscript norms for 17th C Scotland described by Effric, the inconsistent capitalization may well reflect the original documentary forms, but the consistent use of commas are editorial additions inserted when this transcription was created in the 19th C.

 

Construction Patterns

This list contains 183 entries, which list the names of 366 people. In every case, the full name is formed using the pattern [given name] [surname].

 

Name Elements found in this Record

I have also extracted a complete list of full names found in this record.

In addition, I have compiled lists of locative phrases, descriptions and occupations that appear in this record. While these locatives, descriptives, and occupations do not appear as a formal part of the actual names, these lists give an interesting insight into residents of Old Edinburgh at this time.

 

Source

Hallen, A. W. Cornelius, ed. The Scottish Antiquary or Northern Notes and Queries. vol. X. (Edinburgh: T. And A. Constable, 1896). pp. 34-38. (http://books.google.com/books?id=TJAeAQAAMAAJ, accessed 07 February 2012)

Other Resources

Black, George. The Surnames of Scotland. (The New York Public Library, 1993).
Dictionary of the Scots Language. (http://www.dsl.ac.uk/).
Reaney, P. H. and R. M. Wilson. A Dictionary of English Surnames. 3rd edition. (Oxford University Press, 1997).


Feminine Given Names

Masculine Given Names

Sorted By Frequency

 

Sorted Alphabetically

Name:Frequency:
Margaret36
Jonat28
     Jonat23
     Jonatt1
     Jonet4
Marioun20
     Marioun9
     Marioune1
Agnes15
     agnes1
     Agnes14
Katharene15
     Katharene7
     Katharere [sic]1
     Katharine2
     Katheren3
     Katherene1
     Katherine1
Bessie10
     bessie1
     Bessie9
Christiane8
Elizabeth7
Issobell7
     Isobel1
     Isobell1
     Issobel1
     Issobell4
Elspaith6
     Elspaith5
     Elspuith1
Helene5
     helene1
     Helene4
Alesonne4
     alesonne2
     Alesonne2
Euphame4
     Eufame1
     Euphame3
Beatrix3
     Beatie1
     Beatrix2
Barbara2
Begis2
     begie1
     Begis1
Jeane2
Abigall1
Ester1
flurishe1
Jaquelene1
Lilias1
Magdalen1
Maissie1
Nicolas1
Sara1
Name:Frequency:
Abigall1
Agnes15
     agnes1
     Agnes14
Alesonne15
     alesonne1
     Alesonne14
Barbara2
Beatrix3
     Beatie1
     Beatrix2
Begis2
     begie1
     Begis1
Bessie10
     bessie1
     Bessie9
Christiane8
Elizabeth7
Elspaith6
     Elspaith5
     Elspuith1
Ester1
Euphame4
     Eufame1
     Euphame3
flurishe1
Helene5
     helene1
     Helene4
Issobell7
     Isobel1
     Isobell1
     Issobel1
     Issobell4
Jaquelene1
Jeane2
Jonat28
     Jonat23
     Jonatt1
     Jonet4
Katharene15
     Katharene7
     Katharere [sic]1
     Katharine2
     Katheren3
     Katherene1
     Katherine1
Lilias1
Magdalen1
Maissie1
Margaret36
Marioun20
     Marioun9
     Marioune1
Nicolas1
Sara1

Sorted By Frequency

 

Sorted Alphabetically

Name:Frequency:
Johnne46
     John4
     Johnne42
Robert22
     Robart1
     Robert21
James21
William18
     William17
     Williame1
Thomas12
Alexander11
     Alex. *1
     Alexander1
     Alexr *8
     Alexr. *1
Andrew7
     Andrew3
     Andro3
     Androw1
Patrick6
     Patrick3
     Patrik3
George5
David4
Adame3
Henrie3
Archibald2
Edward2
Paull2
Quintene2
Abacuih1
Abrahame1
Clement1
Gabriell1
Gilbert1
Hew1
Joseph1
Laurence1
Manur (?)1
Martene1
Mathew1
Niell1
Peter1
Rauffe1
Richard1
Roger1
Stevin1
Name:Frequency:
Abacuih1
Abrahame1
Adame3
Alexander11
     Alex. *1
     Alexander1
     Alexr *8
     Alexr. *1
Andrew7
     Andrew3
     Andro3
     Androw1
Archibald2
Clement1
David4
Edward2
Gabriell1
George5
Gilbert1
Henrie3
Hew1
James21
Johnne46
     John4
     Johnne42
Joseph1
Laurence1
Manur (?)1
Martene1
Mathew1
Niell1
Patrick6
     Patrick3
     Patrik3
Paull2
Peter1
Quintene2
Rauffe1
Richard1
Robert22
     Robart1
     Robert21
Roger1
Stevin1
Thomas12
William18
     William17
     Williame1

* name forms marked with an asterisk are abbreviations.


Surnames (Sorted by Frequency)

Surnames That Appear Four Times or More

Name:Frequency:
broun11
     broun10
     broune1
Andersonne5
     Andersone1
     andersonne2
     Andersonne2
Name:Frequency:
Henrysonne5
     henrysonne2
     Henrysonne3
huntter5
     hunter1
     huntter3
     Huntter1
Name:Frequency:
ballendyne4
     balendyne1
     ballendyne2
     ballentyne1
Finlawsoune4
     finlawsone1
     finlawsonne1
     Finlawsoune1
     finlaysonne1
Name:Frequency:
Grahame4
     Graham1
     grahame2
     Grahame1
robesonne4
     robesonne3
     robsonne1
Somerveill4
Name:Frequency:
     Somerveill1
     Somervell1
Thomesonne4
     thomesonne2
     Thomesonne2
[Ȝoung]4
     zoung *2
     Zoung **2
* Note: likely ȝoung in the original manuscript.
** Note: likely Ȝoung in the original manuscript.
 
 

Surnames That Appear Three Times

Name:Frequency:
Adamesonne3
arnot3
     arnot2
     Arnot1
clerk3
Name:Frequency:
Diksonne3
     Diksone1
     Diksonne2
gibsonne3
Name:Frequency:
Johnestoun3
     Johnestoun1
     Johnnestonn1
     Johnstoune1
Lowrie3
Name:Frequency:
Myller3
     Miller1
     myller1
     Myller1
nicoll3
Name:Frequency:
Smyth3
     smyth2
     Smyth1
Wilsonne3
     Wilsonne2
     wilsoune1
Woddell3
 

Surnames That Appear Twice

Name:Frequency:
achesonne2
aikman2
cochrane2
craige2
     craige1
     craigie1
Davidsone2
     Davidsone1
     Davidsonne1
Dick2
     Dick1
     Dik1
Name:Frequency:
Dowgall2
Dudgeon2
     dudgeon1
     Dudgeon1
ellet2
frissell2
     frissel1
     frissell1
galbraith2
gourlay2
Name:Frequency:
Hepburne2
     hepburne1
     Hepburne1
ker2
Knox2
Lokhart2
     Lokart1
     Lokhart1
Louche2
Machen2
Name:Frequency:
Mcgill2
Moseman2
Mure2
patersonne2
pollert2
porteous2
primrose2
     primros1
     primrose1
ramsay2
rankene2
Name:Frequency:
Speir2
     speir1
     Speir1
Symountoun2
tod2
Traquair2
     traquair1
     Traquair1
Walker2
Wauche2
wood2

Surnames That Only Appear Once

adingstoun
aitkin
Alexander
andrew
Anenislie
annan
Ards (?)
Arthour
Aytoun
baine
balfour
balloche
bankes
barker
barklay
bartilmo
bassinden
bathgat
beith
bell
binny
blair
blak
bog
borthwik
bowen
boyd
boyll
bradfute
braidie
brise
bruce
buchanan
burehill
burges
burgon
burrell
Cahoun
Cathkin
chapman
Charters
christie
Clappertoun
clerksonne
cok
cokie
coult
Courtes
cowan
cowstoun
creichtoun
cruikschank
Dalmahoy
Darling
Davesonne
dawsonne
Dewar
Dowlgas
dryburgh
Drymen
Drysdaill
Dunaldsone
Dunbar
d'voucht
Dykes
edzer
fairie
fairservice
farthe
fergusonne
fineis
fischer
fithie
folkart
forman
forrest
forret
fortoun
foster
fylder
Gardin
gilchrist
gilmore
gleghorne
glen
gordon
Gowdie
Gray
grenelaw
hadden
Hamiltoune
harper
Hart
heriot
heron
herries
Higger
Hill
home
houstoun
howesonne
inglis
innrie
Jack
Joncking
Kellie
Kirkcadie
Knublo
Kosche
lambe
Lawrie
Lawsonne
Lennox
Leomont
Lermount
Levingstoun
Libbertoun
Littiljohnne
Loue
Lyndsay
Macgregour
Makilmun
Marschell
Maschet
Mawll
Maxwell
Mayne
Mccalley
Mccubene
Mckie
Mcknab
Mcmychaell
Mcquharg
Merschell
M'gregour
Mitchell
M'nache
modrell
Monteith
Moresonne
Mudie
Mureheid
Mytchelhie
Nasmyth
Neblo
Nemok
Nevene
nicolsonne
Nisbet
Norwall
noteman
orok
oustiane
pacok
pape
park
peirsone
pennicuk
pennie
philip
pikken
porterfeild
prestoun
pudzeon ***
pursell
pyot
quhippo
Ralstoun
rantoun
rattray
ray
reid
robertsonne
roger
rychardsoune
Sandilands
Scharp
schaw
Scot
Seatoun
skene
small
spens
Spittell
Sprot
Stenhope
Stevinsonne
stewart
Stoddart
strang
stratoun
Struthers
swyntoun
Symsonne
tailefor
tait
tallour
Thayne
turnbull
Uddart
Urguhard
Vaws
Wallace
Wardlaw
Watsonne
Weill
Weir
Wilkie
wyllie
Zuill ****
 
*** Note: likely pudȝeon in the original manuscript.
**** Note: likely Ȝuill in the original manuscript.


Surnames (Sorted Alphabetically)

Surnames beginning with A through D

Name:Frequency:
achesonne2
Adamesonne3
adingstoun1
aikman2
aitkin1
Alexander1
Andersonne5
     Andersone1
     andersonne2
     Andersonne2
andrew1
Anenislie1
annan1
Ards (?)1
arnot3
     arnot2
     Arnot1
Arthour1
Aytoun1
baine1
Name:Frequency:
balfour1
ballendyne4
     balendyne1
     ballendyne2
     ballentyne1
balloche1
bankes1
barker1
barklay1
bartilmo1
bassinden1
bathgat1
beith1
bell1
binny1
blair1
blak1
bog1
borthwik1
bowen1
Name:Frequency:
boyd1
boyll1
bradfute1
braidie1
brise1
broun11
     broun10
     broune1
bruce1
buchanan1
burehill1
burges1
burgon1
burrell1
Cahoun1
Cathkin1
chapman1
Charters1
christie1
Clappertoun1
Name:Frequency:
clerk3
clerksonne1
cochrane2
cok1
cokie1
coult1
Courtes1
cowan1
cowstoun1
craige2
     craige1
     craigie1
creichtoun1
cruikschank1
Dalmahoy1
Darling1
Davesonne1
Davidsone2
     Davidsone1
     Davidsonne1
Name:Frequency:
dawsonne1
Dewar1
Dick2
     Dick1
     Dik1
Diksonne3
     Diksone1
     Diksonne2
Dowgall2
Dowlgas1
dryburgh1
Drymen1
Drysdaill1
Dudgeon2
     dudgeon1
     Dudgeon1
Dunaldsone1
Dunbar1
d'voucht1
Dykes1
 

Surnames beginning with E through L

Name:Frequency:
edzer1
ellet2
fairie1
fairservice1
farthe1
fergusonne1
fineis1
Finlawsoune4
     finlawsone1
     finlawsonne1
     Finlawsoune1
     finlaysonne1
fischer1
fithie1
folkart1
forman1
forrest1
forret1
fortoun1
Name:Frequency:
foster1
frissell2
     frissel1
     frissell1
fylder1
galbraith2
Gardin1
gibsonne3
gilchrist1
gilmore1
gleghorne1
glen1
gordon1
gourlay2
Gowdie1
Grahame4
     Graham1
     grahame2
     Grahame1
Name:Frequency:
Gray1
grenelaw1
hadden1
Hamiltoune1
harper1
Hart1
Henrysonne5
     henrysonne2
     Henrysonne3
Hepburne2
     hepburne1
     Hepburne1
heriot1
heron1
herries1
Higger1
Hill1
home1
houstoun1
Name:Frequency:
howesonne1
huntter5
     hunter1
     huntter3
     Huntter1
inglis1
innrie1
Jack1
Johnestoun2
     Johnestoun1
     Johnnestonn1
     Johnstoune1
Joncking1
Kellie1
ker2
Kirkcadie1
Knox2
Knublo1
Kosche1
Name:Frequency:
lambe1
Lawrie1
Lawsonne1
Lennox1
Leomont1
Lermount1
Levingstoun1
Libbertoun1
Littiljohnne1
Lokhart2
     Lokart1
     Lokhart1
Louche2
Loue1
Lowrie3
Lyndsay1
 

Surnames beginning with M through S

Name:Frequency:
Macgregour1
Machen2
Makilmun1
Marschell1
Maschet1
Mawll1
Maxwell1
Mayne1
Mccalley1
Mccubene1
Mcgill2
Mckie1
Mcknab1
Mcmychaell1
Mcquharg1
Merschell1
M'gregour1
Mitchell1
M'nache1
modrell1
Name:Frequency:
Monteith1
Moresonne1
Moseman2
Mudie1
Mure2
Mureheid1
Myller2
     Miller1
     myller1
     Myller1
Mytchelhie1
Nasmyth1
Neblo1
Nemok1
Nevene1
nicoll3
nicolsonne1
Nisbet1
Norwall1
noteman1
orok1
Name:Frequency:
oustiane1
pacok1
pape1
park1
patersonne2
peirsone1
pennicuk1
pennie1
philip1
pikken1
pollert2
porteous2
porterfeild1
prestoun1
primrose2
     primros1
     primrose1
[pudȝeon]1
     pudzeon *1
pursell1
pyot1
Name:Frequency:
quhippo1
Ralstoun1
ramsay2
rankene2
rantoun1
rattray1
ray1
reid1
robertsonne1
robesonne4
     robesonne3
     robsonne1
roger1
rychardsoune1
Sandilands1
Scharp1
schaw1
Scot1
Seatoun1
skene1
small1
Name:Frequency:
Smyth3
     smyth2
     Smyth1
Somerveill4
     Somerveill1
     Somervell1
Speir2
     speir1
     Speir1
spens1
Spittell1
Sprot1
Stenhope1
Stevinsonne1
stewart1
Stoddart1
strang1
stratoun1
Struthers1
swyntoun1
Symountoun2
Symsonne1
* Note: likely pudȝeon the original manuscript.
 

Surnames beginning with T through Z

Name:Frequency:
tailefor1
tait1
tallour1
Thayne1
Thomesonne4
     thomesonne2
     Thomesonne2
tod2
Name:Frequency:
Traquair2
     traquair1
     Traquair1
turnbull1
Uddart1
Urguhard1
Vaws1
Walker2
Wallace1
Name:Frequency:
Wardlaw1
Watsonne1
Wauche2
Weill1
Weir1
Wilkie1
Wilsonne3
     Wilsonne2
     wilsoune1
Name:Frequency:
Woddell3
wood2
wyllie1
[Ȝoung]4
     zoung2 Note: likely ȝoung in the original manuscript.
     Zoung2 Note: likely Ȝoung in the original manuscript.
[Ȝuill]1
     Zuill1 Note: likely Ȝuill in the original manuscript.


Descriptions

Note: these descriptions do not appear as a formal part of the actual names. This list is provided to give an insight into descriptions applied to some of the residents of Old Edinburgh at this time.
 
Description:  Frequency:  Notes:
indwellour1"A resident, an inhabitant."


Locative Phrases

Note: these phrases do not appear as a formal part of the actual name. Instead, they appear after the name, more like a modern address.
 
Locative Phrases:  Frequency:  Notes:
Drymen1
of Lowtoun1


Occupations

Note: these occupations do not appear as a formal part of the actual names. This list is provided to give an insight into some of the professions practiced by residents of Old Edinburgh at this time.
 
Occupation:  Frequency:  Notes:
advocat3"A professional pleader in a court of justice" (so, a lawyer)
     advocat2
     aicut (?)1seems to be a garbled abbreviation for advocate
armorer3a maker of armor
baxter8a baker
browster2a brewer
buikbinder1a bookbinder
chirurgeon1"A surgeon."
copmaker1probably a cup-maker
cordiner7a variant of "cordwainer" - a shoemaker
cuik1"cook"
cuttelor1a cutler - a maker of knives
fischer1a fisherman
fleschour3"flesher" - a butcher
     fleschor1
     fleschour2
glasinwricht1a glasswright - a maker of glass
goldsmith2
     goldsmith1
     goldsmyth1
Lorrimer2"One who makes the metal parts of a horse's bridle and harness, a worker in small iron-work."
     Loremeir1
     Lorrimer1
maltman2"A malt-maker, maltster; also, a dealer in malt."
     maltã1abbreviation
     maltman1
marchant43a merchant
     marchant4
     merchant2
     m)chant36abbreviation *
     m)rchant1abbreviation *
Occupation:  Frequency:  Notes:
masonne3"mason"
     masone1
     masonne2
meilmaker1
messinger2"A messenger, courier or envoy."
minister1
Officer2
sadler2"saddler" - a saddlemaker
schoolmaster1
sclatter1"one whose trade is to lay slates on rooms of houses"
skinner4
     skinner3
     skynner1
smyth1"smith"
stabler4runs a stable
tallor19"tailor"
     taillor1
     taillour2
     tallor5
     tallor6
     tallour5
travellour2"One who travels, a traveller or wayfarer."
     travellor1
     travellour1
webster1a weaver
workman4"workman, laborer"
wricht6"wright"
     wricht3
     wrycht3
writter9

* In this abbreviation, m) indicates a scribal mark that looks like an m with a vertical curving stroke issuing from the upper right corner of the m.


Medieval Scotland | Medieval Names Archive | Names From Old Edinburgh, 1597-1598


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