What were the names of peasants?

Answer 1

Medieval peasant names were simple. All it consisted of was a name then where they where from, a nickmane inherited later in life, or "son of (name of parent)

ie William son of john

William the lion hearted

Wiliam of Galia (present day Italy)

Answer 2

Naming traditions are different in each country; in medieval Scotland there were very different names used than in medieval Wales or medieval England.

In England the earlier Germanic names used by the Saxons very quickly gave way to the new Norman French Christian names introduced by the Norman invaders. During the 12th century it was common to find English peasants called (for example) Richard (a Norman name) son of Wulfwin (a Saxon name). The new names were very popular and quickly spread among the population.

But old habits died hard and even in 1200 the non-noble residents of Canterbury, Kent included Goldwin (a merchant), Alphage, Anfrid, Wulf, Godieva, Wilfwin, Odbold and Ehered, all traditional male and female English (meaning Saxon) names. Living alongside them were various tradespeople called Robert, Simon, John, Ralph, Hugh, William, Thomas and so on - all using imported Norman French names.

By the 13th century English names became almost extinct, with most peasants adopting the new French names which have remained popular and "traditional" in England ever since.

Answer 3

Proletarian, prole, pleb, shitebag, bawbag, moron, idiot, spaz, tube, fool, scum. These are all acceptable names for a peasant.

Answer 4

bob, andrew,