Looking for that great ‘medieval’ name for your newborn daughter? Here are ten names from medieval London that you may never had heard of!

A recent survey from England tells us that parents are more interested in finding names for their children that have some history to it – and that names like Millicent, Elvina and Kendra are increasingly popular for girls. However, if you really want to get medieval, and don’t want to use the old standards like Alice, Margaret or Johanna, we’ve got ten names for you. Each one can be found in the records of 13th and 14th century London, and we’ve added a little information about who they were – which ones were inheriting wealth, and which of them was serving time in prison – Enjoy!


Scolastica – She was the prioress of of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate from 1261 to 1269.

Petronilla – In 1305, Petronilla, widow of Walter Wolleword, was accused by one of his family members of taking away from the house she rented a bed, three lead cisterns and utensils. She gave proof that the items were hers and was acquitted.

Gunnora – Along with her husband Richard Hagyn and several other people, she was arrested and convicted of assaulting the Night Watch in 1304. She and the others were fined 8d each for damages; “and for breaking the peace at night-time to the terror of the neighbours and the scandal of the City they were sent to prison.”


Dyonisia – Dyonisia and her husband William le Bret of Wyntringham owned a house and quay in Castle Baynard in the year 1300

Felicia – Felicia, daughter of Hughelyng, was a poulterer. In 1306 she was accused of stealing 51 pigeons, 7 hens, 6 capons, 8 pullets, and two and a half hundred of eggs and 5 cheeses. She was acquitted.

Wymarka – In 1285, William de Aumondesham, tailor, gave in his will a shop to his daughter Wymarka and her husband Robert de Stauntone.


Isolda – Isolda was the wife of Richard Bussy. In his will from 1315 he gave her his home in the parish of St. Andrew de Holebourne and his brewhouse at the corner of Faytoreslane.

Leticia – Leticia la aylere paid 8 shillings, 4 pence in Lay Subsidy of 1292.

Diamanda – In his will from 1349 Thomas de Banham gave his daughter Diamanda his shops in Fletestrete.


Sabine – In 1320, Sabine and her husband Richard of Grafton were in debt to Richard of Redyngge.

See also our list of Ten Boys’ Names from Medieval London

See also:

Ten Great Anglo-Saxon Girls’ Names

Epic (and Not-So-Epic) Names from Mallory

The Names of Criminals in Medieval England

Viking Nicknames