Arthurian Legend

The story of King Arthur has its roots in Dark Age Celtic folklore: The Mabinogien, Cornish tales of Lionesse, leftover folk memories of the struggle to keep Britain civilised after the Romans left. The French Vulgate adapted it to the courtly love themes popular in medieval French poetry and Thomas Mallory's Morte d'Arthur made an attempt to codify some of the many and conflicting versions. Arthurian names therefore include pure Celtic, French adaptations of Celtic (Drustan became Tristan) and French additions (Arthur's closest companion was called Bedwyr until the French produced Lancelot).

Arthurian Names

Male

Female

Fewer female names are given in the legends. Descriptions such as 'The Lady of the Lake' or 'The Lady of the Fountain' often occur instead, and complimentary nicknames such as 'Iseult of the White Hands' are common. French names of the Medieval period, Welsh and Celtic names would also be suitable.

The Mabinogion

These stories originated amongst the Celts when the relationship between Welsh and Irish was still strong. Although by the C13th the Celtic civilisation was being superseded, the earlier sources bear evidence of oral tradition. The later ones, in which Arthur appears, show the pageantry and chivalry of the Saxon and Norman courts.

Male

Female

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This collection of names compiled by Kate Monk. Copyright January 1997, Kate Monk. Last updated February, 98. Copies may be made for personal use only.