If you lived in 13th-century England, there was a good chance that you would have been named William or Alice. Records from the reign of Henry III reveal the names that appeared most frequently, as well as the influence of royalty, religion and the Norman Conquest on how medieval people were named.
The findings come from a study by Beth Hartland, a research fellow with the Henry III Fine Rolls Project. Hartland examined thousands of personal names recorded in the Fine Rolls between 1216 and 1242, identifying the ten most common names for both men and women.
The Fine Rolls were administrative records maintained by the English Chancery. They recorded offers of money made to the king in exchange for concessions and favours, ranging from control of lands and inheritances to appointments and permission to marry. Although they contain the names of thousands of people, they should not be treated as a complete census of medieval England. People involved in royal administration, property and legal affairs were more likely to appear than other members of society.
The records nevertheless provide a valuable picture of naming patterns during the early 13th century. They show that a relatively small group of names was shared by a large proportion of the population, particularly among men.
The origins of these names can help explain how they reached medieval England, although the Fine Rolls do not reveal why individual parents selected them. Royal associations, popular saints, biblical traditions and the cultural influence of the Norman Conquest all appear to have shaped naming patterns.
The ten most popular male names
13th-century images – Cambridge MS O.9.34 fol.
1. William
William was easily the most common male name in the Fine Rolls, accounting for 14.4% of the men recorded. This meant that approximately one out of every seven men appearing in these documents was named William.
The name came to England from continental Europe and derives from Germanic elements meaning “desire” or “will” and “helmet” or “protection.” Its popularity was strengthened enormously by the Norman Conquest and the reign of William the Conqueror, after which it became common throughout English society.
2. John
John was the name of 7.9% of the men in the Fine Rolls, making it the second most popular male name. Its use would continue to increase, and it became one of the dominant English names during the later Middle Ages.
The name ultimately comes from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious.” Its popularity across medieval Europe was closely connected to Christianity, particularly the importance of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.
3. Richard
Introduced into England by the Normans, Richard comes from Germanic words meaning “powerful” or “ruler” and “strong” or “brave.” It became especially prominent among England’s aristocratic and military families.
Its association with kings and nobles probably helped make it an attractive and prestigious choice. Richard I, better known as Richard the Lionheart, had died only a few years before the earliest records included in Hartland’s study.
4. Robert
Robert is another Germanic name established in England by the Normans. Usually interpreted as meaning “bright fame,” it was borne by numerous important members of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy.
The name was not associated with an English king during this period, but it was used by powerful nobles throughout England and Normandy. Its popularity among these families helped it spread more widely through medieval English society.
5. Henry
Henry developed from a Germanic name meaning “home ruler.” It reached England through Norman French and soon acquired particularly strong royal associations.
Three English kings had already borne the name by the period covered by the Fine Rolls. The documents themselves were produced during the reign of Henry III, who ruled England from 1216 until 1272.
6. Ralph
Ralph comes from a Germanic name composed of elements meaning “counsel” and “wolf.” It reached England in several forms through both Scandinavian and Norman influence.
Medieval spelling was far from standardised, and versions of the name could appear as Ralph, Ralf, Radulf, Raoul or Ranulf. Some of these forms eventually developed into names that would later be regarded as distinct.
7. Thomas
Thomas comes from an Aramaic word meaning “twin” and was the name of one of Christ’s apostles. Its biblical origins helped it become familiar throughout Christian Europe.
Its popularity in 13th-century England was probably further encouraged by the cult of Thomas Becket. The Archbishop of Canterbury was murdered in 1170 and canonised only three years later, after which his shrine became one of England’s most important pilgrimage destinations.
8. Walter
Walter derives from Germanic elements generally interpreted as meaning “ruler of the army.” Although versions of the name were known earlier, the Norman Conquest helped establish it firmly in England.
The name appeared among prominent landholders, royal officials and members of the clergy. By the early 13th century, however, it had spread well beyond the upper ranks of medieval society.
9. Roger
Roger comes from Germanic words meaning “fame” and “spear.” The Normans brought the name to England, where it became common among the country’s new aristocratic families.
The prominence of men named Roger within the nobility and royal administration probably encouraged its wider adoption. Like many names on the list, it illustrates the enduring effects of the Norman Conquest on English naming practices.
10. Hugh
Hugh derives from a Germanic element associated with the mind, heart or spirit. It was especially common among the Normans and was borne by several important medieval nobles and churchmen.
One notable figure was St Hugh of Lincoln, a French-born monk who served as Bishop of Lincoln from 1186 until his death in 1200. He was canonised in 1220, during the period covered by the Fine Rolls.
The ten most popular female names
13th-century images – Cambridge MS O.9.34 fol. 25v
1. Alice
Alice was the most frequently recorded female name, although it was almost tied with Matilda. The name developed from the Old French Aalis, itself derived from the Germanic name Adelaide and associated with nobility or noble birth.
Alice was introduced into England by the Normans and became popular far beyond aristocratic families. Its position at the top of the list shows how thoroughly a name with continental origins had become established in England.
2. Matilda
Matilda comes from Germanic elements meaning “strength” and “battle.” Different forms of the name included Mathilda, Mahaut, Maud and Matilda, although these were not always recorded consistently.
Its use among medieval royal and noble women helped give the name considerable prestige. Empress Matilda, the daughter of Henry I, claimed the English throne during the 12th-century civil war commonly known as the Anarchy, while Henry I’s wife was also named Matilda.
3. Agnes
Agnes comes from a Greek word meaning “pure” or “chaste.” It became widely used throughout medieval Europe and appeared in several different forms.
The name’s popularity was closely tied to St Agnes, an early Christian martyr whose feast day was widely observed. Churches were dedicated to her, and her story circulated through sermons, religious texts and collections of saints’ lives.
4. Margaret
Margaret ultimately derives from the Greek word margarites, meaning “pearl.” It became one of the most enduring female names of medieval Europe.
Several saints bore the name, but St Margaret of Antioch was particularly popular during the Middle Ages. She was widely venerated as one of the saints who could be called upon for protection during pregnancy and childbirth.
5. Joan
Joan is a feminine form of John and therefore shares its Hebrew origins and meaning, “God is gracious.” It reached England through Old French forms such as Jehanne.
Its connection to one of medieval Christianity’s most familiar male names probably contributed to its widespread use. The name was already popular in England long before Joan of Arc became famous during the 15th century.
6. Isabella
Isabella was a medieval form of Elizabeth, a biblical name generally interpreted as meaning “God is my oath.” Forms such as Isabel, Isabelle and Isabella circulated widely across medieval Europe.
The name was also used among royal and aristocratic women. One prominent contemporary example was Isabella of Angoulême, the widow of King John and the mother of Henry III.
7. Emma
Emma has Germanic origins and is usually connected to a word meaning “whole” or “universal.” Unlike several other names on the list, it was well established in England before the Norman Conquest.
Its earlier prominence included Queen Emma of Normandy, who married both Æthelred the Unready and Cnut. As the mother of kings and an influential political figure in her own right, she helped give the name a significant place in English royal history.
8. Beatrice
Beatrice comes from the Latin Beatrix, a name interpreted as “traveller” or “voyager.” It later became associated with the Latin word beatus, meaning “blessed.”
Its religious associations and its use among continental European noble families probably contributed to its adoption in England. Medieval documents contain several different spellings and regional forms of the name.
9. Mabel
Mabel developed from the Old French name Amabel, derived from the Latin amabilis, meaning “lovable.” It was brought to England by the Normans.
Although Mabel is less common today than names such as Alice or Margaret, it was firmly established during the Middle Ages. Its appearance in the top ten demonstrates how naming fashions can change considerably over time.
10. Cecilia
Cecilia comes from the Roman family name Caecilius. Its popularity during the Middle Ages was primarily connected to St Cecilia, an early Christian martyr.
The saint became closely associated with music, eventually becoming recognised as the patron saint of musicians. Her religious importance helped carry the name across medieval Europe.
Greater variety among women’s names
13th-century images – Cambridge MS O.9.34 fol. 37r
The Fine Rolls reveal an important difference between the names given to men and women. While both lists were dominated by a relatively small number of choices, women’s names displayed greater variety.
“Though fewer women occur in the Fine Rolls, they reveal a greater diversity of names,” explains Hartland.
The ten most popular male names accounted for 57.8% of all the men recorded. By comparison, the ten leading female names accounted for 51.8% of women. Names appearing only once belonged to 9.44% of the women, compared with just 3.38% of the men.
These figures suggest that medieval parents were more likely to choose from a limited group of familiar names for their sons. Royal names such as William, Richard and Henry stood alongside biblical names and those associated with widely venerated saints.
The results do not represent every person living in medieval England, nor do they cover the entire medieval period. They offer a detailed snapshot of the people who appeared in royal administrative records between 1216 and 1242. Within that population, however, William and Alice stood at the head of a naming tradition shaped by conquest, monarchy and religious devotion.
If you lived in 13th-century England, there was a good chance that you would have been named William or Alice. Records from the reign of Henry III reveal the names that appeared most frequently, as well as the influence of royalty, religion and the Norman Conquest on how medieval people were named.
The findings come from a study by Beth Hartland, a research fellow with the Henry III Fine Rolls Project. Hartland examined thousands of personal names recorded in the Fine Rolls between 1216 and 1242, identifying the ten most common names for both men and women.
The Fine Rolls were administrative records maintained by the English Chancery. They recorded offers of money made to the king in exchange for concessions and favours, ranging from control of lands and inheritances to appointments and permission to marry. Although they contain the names of thousands of people, they should not be treated as a complete census of medieval England. People involved in royal administration, property and legal affairs were more likely to appear than other members of society.
The records nevertheless provide a valuable picture of naming patterns during the early 13th century. They show that a relatively small group of names was shared by a large proportion of the population, particularly among men.
The origins of these names can help explain how they reached medieval England, although the Fine Rolls do not reveal why individual parents selected them. Royal associations, popular saints, biblical traditions and the cultural influence of the Norman Conquest all appear to have shaped naming patterns.
The ten most popular male names
1. William
William was easily the most common male name in the Fine Rolls, accounting for 14.4% of the men recorded. This meant that approximately one out of every seven men appearing in these documents was named William.
The name came to England from continental Europe and derives from Germanic elements meaning “desire” or “will” and “helmet” or “protection.” Its popularity was strengthened enormously by the Norman Conquest and the reign of William the Conqueror, after which it became common throughout English society.
2. John
John was the name of 7.9% of the men in the Fine Rolls, making it the second most popular male name. Its use would continue to increase, and it became one of the dominant English names during the later Middle Ages.
The name ultimately comes from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious.” Its popularity across medieval Europe was closely connected to Christianity, particularly the importance of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.
3. Richard
Introduced into England by the Normans, Richard comes from Germanic words meaning “powerful” or “ruler” and “strong” or “brave.” It became especially prominent among England’s aristocratic and military families.
Its association with kings and nobles probably helped make it an attractive and prestigious choice. Richard I, better known as Richard the Lionheart, had died only a few years before the earliest records included in Hartland’s study.
4. Robert
Robert is another Germanic name established in England by the Normans. Usually interpreted as meaning “bright fame,” it was borne by numerous important members of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy.
The name was not associated with an English king during this period, but it was used by powerful nobles throughout England and Normandy. Its popularity among these families helped it spread more widely through medieval English society.
5. Henry
Henry developed from a Germanic name meaning “home ruler.” It reached England through Norman French and soon acquired particularly strong royal associations.
Three English kings had already borne the name by the period covered by the Fine Rolls. The documents themselves were produced during the reign of Henry III, who ruled England from 1216 until 1272.
6. Ralph
Ralph comes from a Germanic name composed of elements meaning “counsel” and “wolf.” It reached England in several forms through both Scandinavian and Norman influence.
Medieval spelling was far from standardised, and versions of the name could appear as Ralph, Ralf, Radulf, Raoul or Ranulf. Some of these forms eventually developed into names that would later be regarded as distinct.
7. Thomas
Thomas comes from an Aramaic word meaning “twin” and was the name of one of Christ’s apostles. Its biblical origins helped it become familiar throughout Christian Europe.
Its popularity in 13th-century England was probably further encouraged by the cult of Thomas Becket. The Archbishop of Canterbury was murdered in 1170 and canonised only three years later, after which his shrine became one of England’s most important pilgrimage destinations.
8. Walter
Walter derives from Germanic elements generally interpreted as meaning “ruler of the army.” Although versions of the name were known earlier, the Norman Conquest helped establish it firmly in England.
The name appeared among prominent landholders, royal officials and members of the clergy. By the early 13th century, however, it had spread well beyond the upper ranks of medieval society.
9. Roger
Roger comes from Germanic words meaning “fame” and “spear.” The Normans brought the name to England, where it became common among the country’s new aristocratic families.
The prominence of men named Roger within the nobility and royal administration probably encouraged its wider adoption. Like many names on the list, it illustrates the enduring effects of the Norman Conquest on English naming practices.
10. Hugh
Hugh derives from a Germanic element associated with the mind, heart or spirit. It was especially common among the Normans and was borne by several important medieval nobles and churchmen.
One notable figure was St Hugh of Lincoln, a French-born monk who served as Bishop of Lincoln from 1186 until his death in 1200. He was canonised in 1220, during the period covered by the Fine Rolls.
The ten most popular female names
1. Alice
Alice was the most frequently recorded female name, although it was almost tied with Matilda. The name developed from the Old French Aalis, itself derived from the Germanic name Adelaide and associated with nobility or noble birth.
Alice was introduced into England by the Normans and became popular far beyond aristocratic families. Its position at the top of the list shows how thoroughly a name with continental origins had become established in England.
2. Matilda
Matilda comes from Germanic elements meaning “strength” and “battle.” Different forms of the name included Mathilda, Mahaut, Maud and Matilda, although these were not always recorded consistently.
Its use among medieval royal and noble women helped give the name considerable prestige. Empress Matilda, the daughter of Henry I, claimed the English throne during the 12th-century civil war commonly known as the Anarchy, while Henry I’s wife was also named Matilda.
3. Agnes
Agnes comes from a Greek word meaning “pure” or “chaste.” It became widely used throughout medieval Europe and appeared in several different forms.
The name’s popularity was closely tied to St Agnes, an early Christian martyr whose feast day was widely observed. Churches were dedicated to her, and her story circulated through sermons, religious texts and collections of saints’ lives.
4. Margaret
Margaret ultimately derives from the Greek word margarites, meaning “pearl.” It became one of the most enduring female names of medieval Europe.
Several saints bore the name, but St Margaret of Antioch was particularly popular during the Middle Ages. She was widely venerated as one of the saints who could be called upon for protection during pregnancy and childbirth.
5. Joan
Joan is a feminine form of John and therefore shares its Hebrew origins and meaning, “God is gracious.” It reached England through Old French forms such as Jehanne.
Its connection to one of medieval Christianity’s most familiar male names probably contributed to its widespread use. The name was already popular in England long before Joan of Arc became famous during the 15th century.
6. Isabella
Isabella was a medieval form of Elizabeth, a biblical name generally interpreted as meaning “God is my oath.” Forms such as Isabel, Isabelle and Isabella circulated widely across medieval Europe.
The name was also used among royal and aristocratic women. One prominent contemporary example was Isabella of Angoulême, the widow of King John and the mother of Henry III.
7. Emma
Emma has Germanic origins and is usually connected to a word meaning “whole” or “universal.” Unlike several other names on the list, it was well established in England before the Norman Conquest.
Its earlier prominence included Queen Emma of Normandy, who married both Æthelred the Unready and Cnut. As the mother of kings and an influential political figure in her own right, she helped give the name a significant place in English royal history.
8. Beatrice
Beatrice comes from the Latin Beatrix, a name interpreted as “traveller” or “voyager.” It later became associated with the Latin word beatus, meaning “blessed.”
Its religious associations and its use among continental European noble families probably contributed to its adoption in England. Medieval documents contain several different spellings and regional forms of the name.
9. Mabel
Mabel developed from the Old French name Amabel, derived from the Latin amabilis, meaning “lovable.” It was brought to England by the Normans.
Although Mabel is less common today than names such as Alice or Margaret, it was firmly established during the Middle Ages. Its appearance in the top ten demonstrates how naming fashions can change considerably over time.
10. Cecilia
Cecilia comes from the Roman family name Caecilius. Its popularity during the Middle Ages was primarily connected to St Cecilia, an early Christian martyr.
The saint became closely associated with music, eventually becoming recognised as the patron saint of musicians. Her religious importance helped carry the name across medieval Europe.
Greater variety among women’s names
The Fine Rolls reveal an important difference between the names given to men and women. While both lists were dominated by a relatively small number of choices, women’s names displayed greater variety.
“Though fewer women occur in the Fine Rolls, they reveal a greater diversity of names,” explains Hartland.
The ten most popular male names accounted for 57.8% of all the men recorded. By comparison, the ten leading female names accounted for 51.8% of women. Names appearing only once belonged to 9.44% of the women, compared with just 3.38% of the men.
These figures suggest that medieval parents were more likely to choose from a limited group of familiar names for their sons. Royal names such as William, Richard and Henry stood alongside biblical names and those associated with widely venerated saints.
The results do not represent every person living in medieval England, nor do they cover the entire medieval period. They offer a detailed snapshot of the people who appeared in royal administrative records between 1216 and 1242. Within that population, however, William and Alice stood at the head of a naming tradition shaped by conquest, monarchy and religious devotion.
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