The names for a dog are endless and while there are the common ones, many dog owners are searching for a name as unique as their dog. Well, if you love history- especially the Middle Ages - then you need to check out the list of dog names that was found in a manuscript written in the late 15^th century.

Professor David Scott-Macnab at North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa, who focuses on hawking and hunting in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, came across the manuscript that contains 1065 names for hunting dogs (running hounds, terriers, and greyhounds).

Just like today, the dogs provided happiness and companionship to their owners and their names reflect it.

Some of the names described the dog’s personality or abilities while others were from nature, mythology, and human occupations.

Scott-Macnab provides his insights into the names and states, "The dogs were often seen as almost human-like, which is clear from the names (compounds) ending in -man, -boy, -wife, -ami ‘friend’, etc., and the dog-names taken from existing names of persons (e.g. Achilles). Some names obviously refer to the activities, appearances or the behaviour of the dogs (e.g. their barking), but some show no obvious relation to the dogs – why should a dog, for instance, be called garlic? Some names are apparently positive (e.g. findwell), whereas others are apparently negative (e.g. brainsick), but irony may play a role with some of these formations."

Check out a sampling of names below. You may notice that while the names are different, but the categories still pertain to how we name our dogs today.

Desirable qualities and abilities of hunting hounds: Birdismowthe, Blodeman, Creper, Dygre, Dygger, Dappir, Fynder, Fyndewell, Hardye, Merymowthe, Quester, Rowte-owte, Rangere, Stalkere, Sturdy, Trusty, Sable 

Other characteristics, qualities and temperaments, many suggestive of irony: Amyable, Arguere, Bragger, Braynesike, Blabbe, Beawte, Brawlere, Cunnynge, Curteise, Cherefull, Dawngere, Dyngill, Elfin, Enmye, Envye, Frebodye, Flaterere, Filthe, Gormownde, Jolye, Jentill, Lewde, Mery, Malaperte, Nurture, Oribull, Plodder, Plesaunce

Minerals, plants and animals: Argente, Amatiste, Besaunte, Crapawde, Curlewe, Dolfyn, Dyamound, Dytayne, Emerawde, Elebre, Ermyne, Flowre, Fynche, Foxe, Gelofre, Garlik, Honysoke, Honeydewe, Juell, Nyȝtyngale, Pwffyne, Peritory, Sykamore, Salmon, Trefoile, Wodewale

Mythology: Actaeon, and his pack of hounds: Agre (Chaser), Argiodus (White-tooth), Dorceus (Gazelle), Dromas (Runner), Harpyia (Snatcher), Hy-lactor (Barker), Hylaeus (Woody), Ichnobates (Tracker), Labros (Fury), Lachne (Shaggy), Ladon (Catcher), Laelaps (Hurricane), Melampus (Black-foot), Pamphagus (Greedy), Poemenis (Shepherd), Pterelas (Winged), Theron (Hunter)

Human occupations, titles and categories: Aldirman, Archere, Bowman, Colier, Cheueteyne, Capteyne, Chambirleyne, Cowntese, Chamberere, Dawnsere, Duchesse, Damysell, Frankeleyne, Forgere, Freresse, Haywarde, Hosewife, Jeester, Lymnore, Lepar, Somnor, Sergeaunte, Scheparde, Sowdan, Screveyne, Sexteyne, Torkoplere, Vagrawnte, Wodewarde, Wodeman, Yeman

Miscellaneous: Beste-of-all, Boy, Belamy, Dere-ybowȝt, Dowse-amye, Felowe, Goodynowȝe, Liberte, Ordynawnse, Pretyman, Pretiboy, Quonyam, Riall, Rude-ynowgh, Wellytawȝt, Conquerour, Hardynowgh, Havegoodday, Makehitgood, Penyboy, Galentyne

Aside from finding rare dog names, Scott-Macnab said, “What is particularly fascinating about all these words is the possibility they hold for providing us with a rare glimpse—a snapshot as it were—of the spoken language of daily life in the fifteenth century.”

Fascinating, right?! Check out the entire list of names and read the full article The Names of All Manner of Hounds here. Don’t forget to share.

Additional Resources: 

Irish Pet Names

Popular Dog Nicknames