If you’re looking for an accurate list of medieval male names from England, you’ve come to the right place!
I compiled these medieval male names from England using research from primary historical documents, including battle records and subsidy rolls. I only threw in a few names from the King Arthur legends, because I love them so much. You can feel confident in using these names for a story set in the British Middle Ages.
I originally made these lists for writers of historical novels or epic fantasy novels based in the English Middle Ages, but it might also be helpful for role playing games, for people looking for cool medieval names for a baby…or for people naming a pet! (Some medieval warrior names might be perfect for a big watchdog…or hilarious for a scrappy little mutt.)
These male names used to be part of a big master medieval name list, but several people felt that list was too big to navigate, so I’ve separated them out (and alphabetized them) as requested. You can use these medieval names for men in conjunction with my list of medieval last names from England, and be sure to check out my list of medieval female names if you need it.
I wound up using this list of men’s medieval names myself…
When I wrote my magical romantic comedy novel, Her Knight at the Museum! I gave my medieval knight character the name Griffin, which was spelled several different ways in the late medieval period.
Medieval England was a very religious, Christian place, so it’s not surprising this list includes many names from the Bible. If you’re writing a story set in that period, you can probably use any Biblical name for a character, whether or not it’s included here.
Be sure to bookmark this list (or pin it to Pinterest) for future reference…and you have any questions about medieval names for men, please let me know!
Medieval Names for Men
Adam
Adelard
Aimery/Amaury/Emory
Alphonse
Aglovale
Alan
Albert
Aldred
Alexander
Alisander (a variation of Alexander)
Amis
Anselm
Arnold
Arthur
Balin (fantasy writers probably remember that this is also the name of a dwarf in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit)
Bartholomew
Bardolph
Barnabas
Basil
Baudwin
Bennet
Berenger
Bernard
Bertram
Bliant
Blaise
Brom (I think this is a great name for a tough guy)
Bryce
Castor
Charles
Cerdic
Cyr
Daniel
David
Denis
Dinadan
Diggory
Drogo (this is also the Name of Frodo’s dad in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings)
Edwin
Elias
Eliot
Eluard
Eustace
Everard
Faramond (this is one of my favorite medieval names for men)
Frederick
Fulke
Gabriel
Galleron
Gamel
Gareth
Geoffrey
George
Gerald
Gerard
Gervase
Gilbert
Giles
Godwin/Godwyn (this name means “good friend”)
Gregory
Griffith
Griffen/Gryffen
Gunter
Guy
Hamon/Hamond
Hardwin
Hector
Henry
Herbert
Herman
Hildebrand
Hubert
Humphrey
Hugh
Isaac
Ingram
Isembard
Ives (I’ve also seen Yves, which is French, show up on a subsidy roll from medieval England)
James
Jasper
Jeremy
Jocelyn
Jordan
Joseph
Lambert
Laurence
Leofwin
Lionel
Lucan (a variation of Luke, which is derived from Lucius, meaning “light”)
Lucius
Luke
Mabon (of Welsh origin; Mabon is also a name of the pagan holiday celebrating the autumnal equinox)
Manfred
Mark
Martin
Matthew
Maynard
Merek
Meriet (I’m not positive this is strictly a medieval English name, and it wasn’t common, but I’ve found it as both a first and last name in records)
Michael
Miles
Milo
Nicholas
Nigel
Noah
Osric
Ogier
Paul
Percival
Peter
Philip
Piers
Randel
Ranulf
Reginald
Richard
Robert
Roger
Roland
Rolf
Rowan
Sampson
Sayer
Solomon
Theobald
Thomas
Thurstan
Timm
Tobias
Tristram
Turstin
Ulric
Urian
Walter
Warin
Warner
William
Wolfstan (as medieval warrior names go, this one is pretty badass)
Wymond
***
If you have any other cool medieval names you’d like to see added to the list, let me know! And if you’re a writer, you might like to check out my book Master Lists for Writers—it’s a great reference for when you get stuck.
Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!
I like Laurence. We named one of our sons Lawrence and because that was a big name for a little boy, we used the letters to make a “name song.” It wasn’t long before our son could spell his name. And then someone asked our second son if he knew how to spell David (his name). He said, “Sure.” He sang out loud and clear, “L-A-W-R-E-N-C-E.”
Jessie, HAHAHA! I love that!
I love the name Aglovale. It’s one of those names that invites one to say it out loud.
It really is!
Sorry! I didn’t mean to do a duplicate comment! ? My computer popped up with an error message when I sent the first one. So, I tried it again.
Sorry! I deleted the other one 🙂
It’s too bad people don’t use the name Lance as much in modern times. In Medieval times they named boys Lance a lot! ?
Sorry, not sorry.
HAHAHAHAHAHA! This is my favorite thing. Thanks for the smile, Julia. 🙂 Happy holidays!
Love the name Gareth.
Me too!! He was one of my fave King Arthur knights, too. 🙂
What a wonderful list! And idea. I hope it’s okay for me to add another historical source suggestion? Medieval English village court rolls contain hundreds of names (first and last). I used these in my former life as a medieval historian. You can find transcribed and (more rarely) translated documents in print. Even if the works are in Latin, their indices may contain the names. And medieval historians who work on these records often include an index of names in their books. Be merry and safe, everyone.
Hi, Eona! Well, this is a fantastic suggestion. Thank you!! I need to check those out. Happy holidays to you!
I’m sure this list will be treasured by historical fiction writers. Thank you and Merry Xmas!
Merry Christmas to you, Naomi! It’s been so nice to connect in 2020!
I love these lists! Thanks.
You’re welcome, Darlene—glad you like them!