Arthur
m.
Of uncertain origin, but likely connected to Old Breton arth, Proto-Celtic *artos, Greek ἄρκτος 'bear'.
The popularity of this name in the Middle Ages is directly attributable to the semi-legendary 5th-6th C British king whose exploits are found in both medieval historical and literary (esp. poetical) sources. The Arthurian tradition of knightly virtue and chivalry spread from England to France via Brittany, and from there to the rest of Europe.
- England
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- Latin
- ● 1189 Artur (nom) GASurv p. 172
- Early Modern English
- ● 1530 Arthure LIWill-III p. 31;
1557 Arthur StAnthonlin p. 11;
1579 Arthur COmar-vol2 p. 101;
1581 Arthur ibid. p. 101;
1582 Arthur DEmar-vol2 p. 7;
1585 Arthur OrpingtonKe p. 7;
1588 Arthur COmar-vol2 p. 102;
1592 Arthure bruton-vol1 p. 51;
1593 Arthur StAnthonlin p. 36;
1594 Arthure BEmar-vol2 p. 96;
1595 Arthur COmar-vol2 p. 50,
StAnthonlin p. 37;
1596 Arthure bruton-vol1 p. 55;
1597 Arthur StAnthonlin p. 38;
1599 Arthuer ibid. p. 40,
Arthur DEmar-vol2 p. 42,
StAnthonlin p. 39
- France
-
- Latin
- ● 1180 Arturo (abl) RotScaNor p. 3,
Arturus (nom) ibid. p. 37
- Middle French
- ● 1392 Artus MemBret-II col. 599
- Italy
-
- Latin
- ● 1527 Artusij (gen) Rome1527 p. 86
- Scotland
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- Scots
- ● c1550 Erthour CartNBer p. xxiv
Cite as: S.L. Uckelman. "Arthur". In S.L. Uckelman, ed. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, Edition 2015, no. 3. http://dmnes.org/2015/3/name/Arthur.