In the ancient historical records, it is mentioned that when the Romans left the British shores, the land was invaded by various Germanic tribes, mainly from the Baltic area. The invasions gained momentum around 400 AD.
The Saxons dominated the invasion and settled in places in Sussex, Wessex, and Essex. Others like Jutes and Angles settled in different parts of Britain. At the end of the 6th century, the tribal communities settled in Heptarchy. These seven kingdoms united towards the middle of the 10th century to form the Kingdom of England.
The Anglo Saxon Rulers
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In the rule of Anglo Saxon kings, England was divided into several small kingdoms. The rule of seven was applied and the head king was appointed for these regions, who was the most powerful and courageous amongst them. He was also called Bretwalda.
Royal Last Names & Surnames
The Bretwaldas or the head kings had individual names that included Aelle, Ceawlin, Aethelbert, Redwald, Edwin, Oswald, Oswy, Offa, and Egbert. Other popular royal names from the Northumbria area included Ida, Glappa, Adda, Aethelric, Theodric, Frithuwald, Hussa, Aethelric, and Aethelfrith.
Wessex region names in the Anglo Saxon period consisted of Aldfrith, Osred 1, Coenred, Osric, Coenred, Osric Eadbehrt, Oswulf, Moll, Alchred, Aethelred, and Osred.
Names of Earls
Ragland, Edgar, Thored, Waltheof, Uhtred, Eadwulf, Siward, Earl, Tostig, Morcar, Gospatric, Oswulf, Waltheof, Deira, Aella, Aelli, Edwin, Osric, Oswine, Ahlfrith, Essex, Aescwine, Sledda, Saebert, Saexred, seaward, Sigebehrt, Swithelm, Sebbi, Sighere, Sigeheard, Swarfred, and Saelred.
Anglo Saxon Female Names & Meanings
The females in Anglo Saxon communities had lovely names with deep meanings. Let us study some of the names.
• Aedre – meaning – stream
• Aefre – meaning – forever
• Aefentid – meaning – evening
• Alodia – meaning – rich
• Andsware – meaning – answer
• Annis – meaning – unity
• Ar – short name – meaning – mercy
• Ardith –meaning – good war
• Ashley or Aisley – meaning – dwells at the ash-tree meadow
• Arianrod – meaning – silver wheel
• Audrey – meaning – noble strength
• Bernia – meaning – battle-maid
• Bletsung – meaning – blessing
• Bliss – meaning – happy
• Bysen – meaning – unique
• Catherine, Cathryn – meaning – innocent
• Cearo – meaning – sorrow
• Chelsea – meaning – port
• Claennis – meaning – purity
• Cwen – meaning – queen
• Daisy – meaning – flower or day’s eye
• Darlene – meaning – tenderly loved
• Edina – meaning – wealthy
• Devona – meaning – protector
• Dohtor – meaning – daughter
• Eadnignes – meaning – bliss
• Edina – meaning – wealthy
• Edith – meaning – joyous
• Edlin – meaning – princess
• Edris – meaning – wealthy ruler
• Ellette – meaning – little elf
• Esma – meaning – kind defender
• Hilda – meaning – war
• Kendra – meaning – prophetess
• Lynette – meaning – bird
• Lorette – small sage one
• Mae or May – meaning – kinswoman
• Mayda – meaning – maiden
• Meghan – meaning – strong or capable
• Mercia – meaning – from Mercia
Anglo Saxon Male Names
• Alden – meaning – defender
• Alger – meaning – noble spearman
• Almund – meaning – temple defender
• Andsaca – meaning – enemy
• Anfeald – meaning – simple
• Anhaga – meaning – solitary
• Archard – meaning – Sacred
• Archibald – meaning – very bold
• Arlyss – meaning – honourable
• Atelic – meaning – horrible
• Ator – meaning – venom
• Audley – meaning – of the old meadow
• Awiergan – meaning – Cursed
• Bana or Banan – meaning – Slayer
• Bawdewyn or Bawdewyne – meaning – bold friend
• Beaduring – meaning – Warrior
• Beadurof – meaning – bold in war
• Bearn – meaning – Son
• Beorn – meaning – Warrior
• Beowulf – meaning – bee-wolf (bear)
• Berkeley or Barclay – meaning – from the birch meadow
• Bestanden meaning – stands beside
• Betlic – meaning – Splendid
• Borden or Bordan – meaning – from the boar valley
• Bowden or Bowdyn – meaning – Messenger
• Brice or Bryce – meaning – son of a nobleman
• Broga or Brogan – meaning – Terror
• Bronson – meaning –dark man’s son
• Caedmon or Cadman – meaning – Poet
• Caflice – meaning – Brave
• Camden or Camdene – meaning – from the winding valley
• Ceolfrith or Ceolwulf or Chad – meaning – names of important people, meanings not given
• Colby – meaning – from the dark village
• Corey – meaning – Chosen
• Courtland or Courtnay – meaning – from the enclosed land
• Cuthbert – meaning – famous, intelligent
• Cynegils or Cynewul – meaning – names of important people, meanings not given
• Cynn – meaning – Family
• Cynric or Cyneric – meaning – Powerful
• Daegal or Douglas – meaning – dweller by the dark stream
• Deman – meaning – judge
• Denby – meaning – from the Danish settlement
• Denisc – meaning – Danish
• Deogol – meaning – secret
• Desmond – meaning – gracious defender
• Drefan – meaning – trouble
