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Help[Facts] Re: The use of Evelyn before Pierrepont
in reply to a message by Retrospectre
Very interesting article!
So it’s possible that the surname Evelyn was not immediately associated with Aveline, or it might have been considered acceptable as a unisex name, or rather, a name whose male and female forms coincided in pronunciation and/or spelling. This is similar to other names in the period, such as Francis/Frances. Or Evelyn wasn’t common enough for women to give it a strongly feminine edge.
Moreover in the Tudor period some surnames were also used as given names for men. Examples include Douglas and Essex. Making Evelyn also acceptable for both genders.
It’s a rare example of a feminine name being used for women (although thanks to it being crystallised as a surname).
So it’s possible that the surname Evelyn was not immediately associated with Aveline, or it might have been considered acceptable as a unisex name, or rather, a name whose male and female forms coincided in pronunciation and/or spelling. This is similar to other names in the period, such as Francis/Frances. Or Evelyn wasn’t common enough for women to give it a strongly feminine edge.
Moreover in the Tudor period some surnames were also used as given names for men. Examples include Douglas and Essex. Making Evelyn also acceptable for both genders.
It’s a rare example of a feminine name being used for women (although thanks to it being crystallised as a surname).
This message was edited 3/11/2025, 9:49 AM
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Replies
I think you mean "some surnames were also acceptable for women"? The Index also had a woman named Essex (maybe the same one you are thinking of), and of course there's lady Douglas Sheffeild. You are right, this woman named Evelyn might also have been named after the surname! It was a unisex name trend although it did end up getting much more popular only for boys, at least in England.
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