A Survey of English Bynames: Occupational Bynames

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

This article is a work in progress. The bynames are being added in no particular order. For the most part, they are being added as I need to research certain types of bynames for S.C.A. names.

In extracting names for this article, I am focusing on names that:

are dated in the source
appear in England
are dated to circa 1600 or earlier

Later names are likely to be inherited surnames rather than literal bynames, but I have included them here to show the evolution of the names.

Notes:

Not all links work at this time. Some unworking links are notes to myself to go back and add pages for a particular byname or element.
I have not checked these entries for typos. For people using this article, I would highly recommend you check the original source to confirm spellings. As I find typos, I will correct them.
Bynames are intended to be listed in all places they should logically appear. Therefore, some bynames will be listed on multiple index pages.

General Classes of Bynames

Martial & Military

Soldiers, War, and Weapons

Arts

Fine Arts (Books, Manuscripts, Illumination, Painting, Carving & Sculpting)
Fiber Arts (Weaving, Clothing, Shoes, etc.)
Food & Beverage (Cooking, Brewing, & Vinting)
Metalwork
Performance Arts (Music, Dance, Acting)

Community & Domestic

Administrative (Government & Domestic)
Animals & Farming (Hunt, Raise, etc.)
Building & Construction (including materials: stone, wood, etc.)
Shops (Inn, Tavern, etc.)
Tools & Utensils (barrels, combs, pins, etc.)
Transportation (Carts, Ships, Wagons, etc. - including wheels)

Other

Herbalism & Medical
Religious
Scholar, Educator, Collegiate

Specific Byname Elements

Indicates a skilled craftsman

-hacker
-herd 'the keeper or tender of a flock'
-hewer 'one who cuts or shapes'
-maker
-mason
-master
-smith
-ward
-wright 'artificer'

Indicates a maker or seller

-monger 'dealer, trader'

Originally indicated a man

-knave 'servant or menial'
-man 'vassal or servant'

Originally indicated a woman

-ess, -esse
-ster
-wife
-woman

Medieval Scotland | Medieval Names Archive | A Survey of English Bynames

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