Dictionary of Medieval Names
from European Sources
☙

Hector m. Greek Ἕκτωρ, possibly derived from Greek ἔχειν 'to have, hold'.

The name of an ancient Greek mythological hero who was one of the medieval Nine Worthies.

The name also appeared in medieval Arthurian literature as the name of Arthur's foster father; this prominent role in a popular literary cycle helped the name remain in usage. It was never popular, but unlike many Greek names it pervaded nearly every culture in medieval Europe.

England
Latin
● 1161x1184 Hector (nom) MDE p. 227, no. 1
Middle French
● 1572 Hector WCS p. 7
France
Latin
● 1378 Hector (nom) hanquetvol1 1336, Hectoris (gen) ibid. 2415
Middle French
● 1392 Hector MemBret-II col. 615, Hetor ibid. col. 615; 1415[1469x1471] Hector Waurin p. 228; 1564 Hector RegPCC-1 p. 63; 1566 Hector ibid. p. 226; 1567 Hector ibid. p. 324; 1587 Hector RTFProvins 109
◑ 1415[1469x1471] Hectorin Waurin p. 228
Germany
Early New High German
● 1497 Hector Nurn1497 38
Italy
Latin
● 1326 Hector (nom) Friuli-14thC no. 441, Hectore (abl) ibid. no. 431, Hectorem (acc) ibid. no. 441, Hectori (dat) ibid. no. 441, Hectoris (gen) ibid. no. 441; 1376 Ettor (abl) DouGen1 p. 211; 1522x1532 Hector (nom) DSF p. 54, 52; 1527 Hector (nom) Rome1527 p. 84
Cite as: S.L. Uckelman. "Hector". In S.L. Uckelman, ed. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, Edition 2023, no. 1. http://dmnes.org/2023/1/name/Hector.