This is a recurring series by Mistress Alys Mackyntoich on whether certain names currently can be documented to period based on existing evidence.. There are a lot of names that people think are medieval, but actually aren’t, and others which people think are modern, but in fact are found in the SCA’s period. If you would like to suggest a name, send an email to the Gazette.
Today’s name is Liam.
Liam has long been a problem name for the heralds. Many people assume
it is medieval, but in fact we have no evidence of its being used as a
given name in the medieval or Renaissance era. Nor has there been any
evidence of its being a period nickname for “William.” The closest
thing to Liam we have found so far in an Irish context is a woman
named Joan nyne Lyeme (in other words, Joan daughter of…
View original post 197 more words
The Middlegate Cryer 