What's a good 17th century surname?

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Henri De Ceredigion
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What's a good 17th century surname?

Post by Henri De Ceredigion »

I am writing my own version of the Musketeer stories and am making good progress but have come to a grinding halt on the issue of surnames, specifically a suitable 17th century surname for the Duke of Buckingham's butler and was hoping that I might get some ideas from members?
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Mike Garrett
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Re: What's a good 17th century surname?

Post by Mike Garrett »

Willikins
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Medicus Matt
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Re: What's a good 17th century surname?

Post by Medicus Matt »

The vast majority of English surnames that' are in use today?

Forenames change with fashion, surnames....not so much.
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Re: What's a good 17th century surname?

Post by Phil the Grips »

"Smith" is a pretty sure bet from the Iron Age onwards
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Re: What's a good 17th century surname?

Post by Mark Griffin »

Stuart has a nice ring to it. And as servants often took the surnames of their masters, your choice is a wide one.
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Re: What's a good 17th century surname?

Post by Lord High Everything Esle »

My favourite 17thC name is "Praise Be To God Barebones", after who the Barbones parliament is named.

Ben Johnson has some good forenames in "the Alchemist"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Alchemist_(play)
Will/Dave, the Jolly Box Man and Barber Surgeon

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Re: What's a good 17th century surname?

Post by Sasha »

Several real names here taken from a muster roll.

http://www.traynedbandes.org.uk/content.php?content=men
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Re: What's a good 17th century surname?

Post by Strafford »

Cromwell was quite successful. Stuart was a no no.
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Re: What's a good 17th century surname?

Post by de Coverley »

Fletcher, Carver, Butcher, Smith, Forester -trades of the period. John Playford, Mr Cosgill, Mr Beveridge, Miss Sayer
Farrier, Currier, Brewer. Seriously up market names may still hark back to the French/Norman De Beer, De Burgh. Add a smattering of Dutch influence especially in East Anglia

Don't know what they were but Nottingham has Warser Gate and Pilcher Gate, the Gate coming from the Danish Gade meaning way but what were the names from? Trades?
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