Lost Manuscript Reveals 15th-Century Dog Names and Glimpses of Medieval Life

A recently studied 15th-century manuscript has offered modern readers a fascinating peek into medieval life through an unexpected source: dog names. Between 1460 and 1480, a scribe recorded various texts related to animals and plants, including *The Names of All Manner of Hounds*, a list of dog names stretching across 12 folios in Middle English.

David Scott-Macnab, an English professor at North West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa, closely examined this manuscript, hoping to understand why such an extensive list of dog names was included. According to Scott-Macnab, the list may offer a rare view into the everyday language of the time, providing insight into the lives and personalities of medieval dogs and their handlers.

Scott-Macnab noted that high-status hunters usually recorded just a few representative hound names in their hunting guides. However, the dog-handlers who trained, fed, and worked alongside the hounds needed to know them individually. This manuscript reflects that close relationship, preserving over 100 names that hint at qualities valued in hunting dogs and their handlers’ sense of humor.

The names Scott-Macnab discovered could be grouped into various categories. Some were linked to desirable qualities for hunting, like “Blodeman,” “Trusty,” and “Fyndewell.” Others reflected quirks or ironies in the dogs' personalities, such as “Jentill,” “Envye,” and “Wrecche.” There were even names inspired by mythological and historical figures, including “Achilles,” “Arture,” and “Charlemayne,” and some borrowed from nationalities or professions, like “Romayne,” “Archere,” and “Bowman.”

For historians, these names shed light on the relationship between humans and animals in medieval society, as well as the ways in which language reflected social roles, humor, and cultural references. As Scott-Macnab highlights, this unique manuscript captures a bit of the medieval world, giving a voice to those who lived and worked with dogs daily.

Get the article through Scott-Macnab’s Academia.edu page.