Deciding on a name for your new dog can be a challenge at times; one medieval duke clearly thought so when he compiled a list of some 1065 appropriate names for dogs in his manual on game and hunting.
Edward, Duke of York (grand-uncle of Edward IV and Richard III), compiled and wrote a very interesting treatise in the 15th ceuntry called ‘The Master of Game,’ dedicated to ‘the High excellent and cristyn prynce Herry,’ the future Henry V. We can surmise that the work was written some time between 1406, when Edward became the Master of Game, and 1413, when Henry became King. It is an incredible source of information for historians researching medieval hunting practices, detailing information about the game being hunted, the care of hunting animals, hawking, legal issues, and even the cultivation of fruit trees. Large parts of it are actually just a translation of a French text, ‘Livre de chasse,’ by Gaston Phebus, count of Foix, though adapted for English customs and climate.
One of the most interesting sections is ‘Names for Hound’: ‘Here begynnyth the names of all maner of houndis aftir the a.b.c. ffirste to begynne with a. for houndis names.’ Edward provides suitable names for different types of dogs, with subheadings for hounds, brachs, terriers, greyhounds, etc. In one manuscript copy, further names were added, so clearly the list was valued and utilised. There is a wide variety of names – some reflect the owner’s desired qualities for their hunting dog, others are more fanciful, referring to history or literature.
Using the work of historian David Scott-Macnab, I’ve compiled the names into the list you see below. Some of my personal highlights are Dasyberde, Goodynowȝe, Wellyfedde, Misavisid, Querister, Havegoodday, Synfull, Helpeles, Harmeles, Makehitgood, and Tullymully.
Argente
Aldirman
Archere
Archebawde
Absolon
Awgere
Argentyne
Armonye
Amyable
Amatiste
Arguere
Argument
Awfyne
Beawmonde
Bowman
Balfrymownde
Bangore
Burgoyne
Bliot
Beawyew
Blamer
Bragger
Braynesike
Bobagh
Brigawnte
Beggerre
Burgenon
Boleyne
Bonyoure
Blewet
Bowreman
Beste-of-all
Bokette
Baldre
Blawmbere
Besaunte
Bailemownd
Bendebowe
Bonyfaunte
Beawchefe
Breydan
Blodeman
Boynarde
Beawchere
Berdeles
Birdismowthe
Bultyngebrake
Bresawde
Boye
Blawncharde
Bonere
Brakette
Bawderese
Bawdewyn
Blawnche
Burnette
Burmay
Blabbe
Beele
Bellore
Bleise
Belamy
Bwnne
Besoyne
Belotte
Blawmbele
Blawndese
Beawte
Besye
Beawfronte
Berde
Burlette
Bemoll
Bekere
Beawfise
Beawkane
Brawlere
Cleremownde
Cantor
Colle
Careaway
Chauntir
Cloider
Colier
Colman
Crampette
Clibawde
Crochette
Chawnte
Chefteyne
Chider
Chawndose
Chamfray
Chawmpir-nowne
Clikette
Clymber
Caluyrleye
Cryere
Coydur
Clynker
Chapeleyne
Chawnseler
Chepman
Chopper
Croyle
Crapawde
Carbonette
Cutte
Curteyne
Curtawnde
Cunnynge
Curteise
Ca‹mi›ot
Cannone
Cradokke
Charlemayne
Creseyte
Comforte
Clowdisleye
Chastelyn
Cosynette
Cheueteyne
Capteyne
Compaynowne
Chol‹s›ey
Curlewe
Clanygere
Chambirleyne
Cofenette
Cademan
Clowder
Claris
Cowntese
Clere
Coose
Clare
Chawnteres
Colynette
Chowne
Cowntirfette
Chalenge
Chawngeabull
Chawnteclere
Clarense
Crowde
Clowde
Cherefull
Chamelette
Chalawndir
Clybbe
Chyȝemyne
Chamberere
Cere-ȝyne
Crabbe
Crykette
Crakestone
Creper
Druggeman
Denebawde
Derby
Downdyuale
Dygre
Dere-ybowȝt
Dolfyn
Dudman
Ducheman
Dene
Dowell
Dawngere
Dewdenere
Dollynge
Dawnmerse
Dyademe
Drewxȝ
Dewyn
Dornykke
Dawnsere
Dyamound
Dredefull
Draynewhey
Duchesse
Daliawnce
Dyane Dowble
Downe
Dowse-amye
Dowse
Dyuerse
Damysene
Damysell
Dytayne
Dasyberde
Dedde
Dygger
Dybenman
Dyamawnde
Dappir
Doore
Dyngill
Elemente
Emerawde
Ewgeny
Elfyn
Elewyn
Errawnte
Eferose
Ewyn
Elebre
Emelyn
Emelotte
Esperawnse
Ergo
Ermyne
Enmye
Ernyste
Envye
Eggetene
Forboise
Forster
Flynger
Fynder
Fredom
Freman
Frebodye
Fynore
Fryse
Fynke
Florentyne
Frankeleyne
Foy
Flaterere
Fleire
Forgere
Fyndewell
Frowmwnde
Flowre
Flore
Fonne
Freresse
Foliette
Flame
Fynche
Florense
Foyse
Felise
Felette
Felowe
Foxe
Fill
Figge
Feete
Filthe
Frigun
Greynder
Gowere
Gormownde
Galeise
Gybon
Gaale
Gaylarde
Gentile
German
Gilbarde
Goodynowȝe
Go-bifore
Go-byhynde
Gyon
Gwette
Gyamownde
Gebage
Gwndir
Genypre
Gelofre
Gwnne
Gille
Gilmote
Gawntelette
Gwnnore
Goyon
Garlik
Herawde
Hawtemownde
Hawdyfer
Huwet
Hilder
Harbeger
Hurlebucke
Halymote
Heuealowe
Halydaye
Halibred
Haywarde
Hernye
Hwdell
Halibutte
Honysoke
Hewlette
Honydewe
Hosewife
Hurnette
Hardye
Hygon
Hakette
Howchyn
Juffo
Juvynell
Jakeman
Jangelor
Judde
Justyne
Jurdan
Jayberde
Jolye
Jeester
Joskyn
Jolybronde
Jongkade
Joyou[s]
Junosse
Jakemyn
Jacke
Juell
Jakette
Joliboye
Jogeler
Izawde
Justyne
Jentill
Knave
Knewliche
Kenewale
Kynnysman
Kowghan
Kendale
Kolette
Kote
Knotte
Knyvet
Kalot
Louell
Labour
Lyuette
Lurke
Lynke
Lorell
Ludman
Lymnore
Lyuyrmore
Lyncolne
Lutere
Lotomere
Liberall
Labell
Lodisman
Ludmer
Litillwitte
Lowrere
Leyne
Loyere
Lyawnse
Lynore
Lawreall
Liberte
Lewte
Loreyne
Letewse
Lewde
Loyre
Louette
Litilman
Lapeyse
Lepar
Lwfkyn
Litilboye
Moraunt
Moreman
Mo‹r›gan
Merymowthe
Mordaunt
Meryuale
Mownamy
Millefoile
Malifawnte
Misavisid
Mervaile
Mafoy
Martynet
Makamete
Musike
Marrok
Mackowe
Muntayne
Mercurye
Marynere
Meruaylus
Merboise
Mownferaunt
Mailarde
Mabbe
Madir
Misago
Maniye
Murre
Morles
Mery
Muriell
Mynerue
Merawde
Mellore
Merable
Malagun
Malaperte
Meryman
Mynor
Mustarde
Mistirman
Mynstrell
Nosewise
Newgurte
Nikole
Nason
Nero
Nedy
Norman
Nyȝtyngale
Notemye
Nurture
Notemyge
Nise
Nody
Organ
Oravante
Orgaile
Orpyn
Oliferne
Ogan
Orebien
Overte
Orenge
Ordynall
Orlage
Orage
Oribull
Olife
Ordynawnse
Oriell
Okirre
Pyarde
Pyoll
Polaynere
Perrye
Pagente
Plwmstede
Pykemownde
Profite
Petipase
Pipar
Pwffyne
Plentivous
Parfite
Poleyne
Poynter
Picarde
Plodder
Pawlyn
Parkere
Prowte
Poraile
Penawnte
Pilate
Plesaunce
Peritory
Philomene
Perwynke
Plubele
Pyany
Pretyman
Pretiboy
Perkyn
Pursyvawnte
Pastey
Perte
Petite
Pratte
Perle
Proppe
Paris
Quester
Querister
Quynteyne
Quonyam
Quyppe
Queyntaunse
Quarell
Quylette
Ryngedale
Richemownde
Reynere
Rabelle
Relefe
Rugemownde
Ribawde
Ryngeborne
Ruskyn
Ryngere
Rowdale
Rypette
Rybschawe
Robette
Rokell
Richere
Roweberde
Remownde
Rowterre
Rowtynge
Radissche
Riderre
Rowte-owte
Rossyngdale
Rangere
Reuerence
Regende
Rude-ynowgh
Reporte
Ryngewode
Rage
Riall
Reynes
Riches
Rude
Reise
Ramet
Rainell
Russette
Roose
Ribibe
Rasyne
Reuerse
Ri‹s›chawde
Redy
Robynette
Redyman
Rube
Roset
Soylarde
Seyntamownde
Stalkere
Somnor
Syngerre
Seymore
Sowdiowre
Schakeschaw
Sergeaunt
Scheparde
Symbale
Sykamore
Staunchere
Salmon
Sibbisman
Sowdan
Stileman
Screveyne
Surisbye
Stacynere
Staynesmore
Sel‹w›de
Synfull
Sojorne
Seuerawnse
Sexteyne
Scathelok
Solace
Symfonye
Spowse
Strawnge
Sufferawnse
Solible
Soyowruaunte
Seruysable
Sturdy
Sable
Safere
Symple
Sloote
Syte
Tawndur
Talbot
Tremayne
Turbeise
Tigale
Trailer
Tegon
Traileboise
Taileboise
Towkere
Turke
Traueile
Troile
Tabaryn
Trentaile
Talkerre
Tidan
Thrifti
Turkeise
Trauers
Torkoplere
Trusty
Torve
Tryare
Tamaret
Trefoile
Truwde
Trewe
Trebille
Tawne
Tedewale
Tidore
Terry
Toppe
Terpyn
Talewise
Trifill
Tarde
Vagrawnte
Valamownte
Vailaunt
Veleyne
Vapuruawnt
Vertwe
Volantyne
Wakedale
Walker
Wodelefe
Wisedome
Wodewarde
Wyender
Wodewale
Woderofe
Wodeman
Watirman
Wynbawde
Wrawe
Wynbucke
Wyseman
Warnere
Wellyfedde
Warrokke
Vyoll
Vyolette
Valis
Visemente
Valeise
Vrry
Wappis
Wilmot
Wellytawȝt
Wastepayne
Christall
Christabell
Yolante
Yockyn
Yeman
Yolman
Yolyn
Zachelle
Zedewale
Zepryne
Etwyn
Etkyn
Contackte
Converse
Grey
Arture
Achilles
Andymay
Albertyne
Ampoyne
Athym
Ameaws
Abbotte
Annore
Arsyte
Alberte
Amys
Armetrewe
Amelon
Averus
Asgudde
Annewell
Awntrus
Baby
Boteler
Bribur
Bragger
Blackberde
Brym
Barefote
Blankette
Blameles
Badde
Brente
Brecheles
Brewte
Brynge-yne
Bryngehome
Bere-awey
Boste
Boster
Bowchere
Balle
Ballarde
Bordere
Berdere
Brayneles
Brayne
Braselette
Bryan
Care
Coke
Careles
Colyn
Colyer
Childe
Cayface
Cayme
Cachefaste
Curteise
Charlis
Clubbe
Cacche
Cachepoll
Cacchecurse
Cormerawnte
Compere
Conquerour
Chorle
Champyn
Crakeboste
Cruell
Calis
Corage
Chekke
Cuffe
Cappe
Dragon
Dowȝty
Derlynge
Drawlacche
Derdo
Daschelake
Doglas
Drynkall
Ector
Eglamowre
Elmys
Ercules
Engeste
Frere
Fawkon
Filbagge
Fole
Foly
Farewell
Fretherike
Fliȝt
Feris
Filpott
Foremoste
Galawnte
Gaweyne
Galias
Gripe
Gye
Gowere
Goby
Grimbolde
Gentilcors
Go-byȝende
Garter
Hurle
Holdefaste
Hardeware
Holy
Harlet
Hentele
Hawkyn
Harde-ynowgh
Honyball
Hiefaste
Hasilwayte
Havegoodday
Happy
Holdere
Horne
Hardeyberde
Hotome
Helpeles
Harmeles
Holande
Harper
Hancaster
Jewe
Japer
Jerownde
Jetter
Igo
Iwoll
Javell
Itogo
Jolyvette
Ido
Keuse
Keules
Kempe
Kilbucke
Kailewey
Liȝtfote
Lamprey
Lurdeyne
Lyon
Lybarde
Lyarde
Larwn
Laweles
Leper
Lanchefaste
Luske
Lumpe
Loby
Leydon
Liȝt
Luste
Lusty
Lubike
Makeles
Mullynge
Muskette
Merlyon
Meyntenawnse
Makeboste
Mediller
Marchawnt
Moleyne
Molyneux
Makehitgood
Marmyn
Mouse
Monke
Menele
Myne
Mirthe
Mychere
Nobull
Nameles
Nigarde
Nymhiswed
Noforse
Nowthow
Newget
Neymys
Nede
Negir
Nowell
Nosuche
Nowthus
Olyuere
Ouyrthwart
Orpidde
Okle
Offa
Ofterige
Olyfawnte
Otewell
Pander
Plente
Pereles
Panter
Pusse
Partener
Plunket
Persyvale
Plucke
Parre
Penyboy
Palmere
Pardonere
Pengowȝe
Pawle
Prymsawnte
Prentise
Purveyowre
Parte
Priowre
Pensefe
Pultere
Purchase
Pleyare
Pompeye
Quycke
Quyte
Queynte
Quysedon
Ragge
Russe
Ruffyn
Rumbilowe
Recheles
Rowlande
Ruffe
Romayne
Ragor
Regarde
Raggeman
Rusteler
Romwlus
Rakette
Riȝt
Rowte
Rumbolde
Reuell
Rechemenere
Rifeler
Rabbissche
Redeles
Souerayne
Swepestake
Stancheboste
Stewarde
Sawmpere
Sprynge
Sparenot
Slugge
Selde-ysey
Soneforgete
Sclaueyne
Sloveyne
Sirisson
Saresyn
Swifte
Snacke
Smylfeste
Spilparke
Snappe
Sigood
Synewle
Stopfawte
Soleyne
Stepfaste
Stedefaste
Strecche
Sage
Swetynge
Sterte
Streccheforthe
Stele-awey
Sterte-awey
Stowte
Strikelawnde
Syre
Suget
Schakbagge
Stykefaste
Tullymully
Triaunte
Troye
Trwnket
Tukke
Tiraunte
Turnetripe
Tresowre
Tancarde
Trinket
Tynker
Tarynot
Trewante
Tredefaste
Tumbelere
Treserere
Truste
Takehym
Tuleras
Towche
Thought
Thrifte
Tartir
Turnebukke
Tripe
Tripper
Tredeweye
Troilus
Thlewe
Volante
Vngayne
Vengeabull
Wype
Wellyfownde
Welcome
Wilby
Wastell
Whiteberde
Wellawnde
Wantone
Wynde-aweye
Wo‹n›ell
Wynfelde
Wynall
Wolfe
Wynlonde
Wyse
Wise-ynowȝe
Wilde
Whanne
Yevan
Yowthe
Yorke
Yonkir
Antigo
Belle
Chapelet
Chiche
Chise
Clenche
Cusse
Dawnse
Eglentyne
Fluse
Frowe
Galentyne
Galyette
Gente
Gentillot
Gygge
Gigelot
Gil
Hille
Kerchefe
Kyra
Lamprwn
Lemman
Letego
Matebrewne
Mirrygo
Mose
Nonne
Pynche
Pynchere
Polasene
Prynkow
Prynkelet
Rollere
Sare
Sysotte
Snekar
Snygge
Spynne
Swalow
Teysarre
Totte
Trille
Trise
Truse
Tapister
Trippe
Wenche
Whirre
Wrecch
