I had designed here to insert a catalogue of the order and succession of the Saxon kings as well in the heptarchy as monarchy; but because this may not be a proper place for 'em, and 'tis possible a heap of bare names may hardly be so acceptable; perhaps I shall oblige the reader more by drawing up a short scheme of the observations I have made (especially out of Aelfric the grammarian) concerning the force, original, and signification of the names themselves. Not that I pretend to explain every name, for that would be too much labour; besides, that such barbarous names, wherein there is a great emphasis, a concise brevity, and something of ambiguity, are very hardly translated into another language. But because most of them are compounds, the simples whereof are very few; I shall explain the latter, that so the signification of the former (which always implied something of good luck) may be the more easily discovered; and to show that the derivation of names, mentioned by Plato, is to be found in all nations.

            AEL, EAL and AL, in compound names (as pan in the Greek compounds) signifies all or altogether. So Aelwin, is a complete conqueror: Albert, all illustrious: Aldred, altogether reverend: Alfred, altogether peaceful. To these, Pammachias, Pancratius, Pamphilius, &c. do in some measure answer.

            AELF (which according to various dialects, is pronounced ulf, wolph, hulph, hilp, helfe, and at this day helpe) implies assistance. So Aelfwin, is victorious aid: Aelfwold, an auxiliary governor: Aelfgifa, a lender of assistance. With which, Boetius, Symmachus, Epicurus, &c. bear some analogy.

            ARD signifies natural disposition. As Godard, is a divine temper: Reinard, a sincere temper: Giffard, a bountiful and liberal disposition: Bernard, a filial affection.

            ATHEL, ADEL and AETHEL is noble. So Ethelred, is noble for counsel: Ethelard, a noble genius: Ethelbert, eminently noble: Ethelward, a noble protector.

            BERT is the same with our bright; in the Latin illustris and clarus. So Ecbert, eternally famous or bright: Sigbert, famous conqueror: and she that was termed by the Germans Bertha, was by the Greeks called Eudoxia, as is observed by Luitprandus. Of the same sort were these, Phaedrus, Epiphanius, Photius, Lampridius, Fulgentius, Illustrius.

            BALD, as we learn from Jornandes, was used by the northern nations to signify the same as the Latin audax, bold; and is still in use. So Baldwin (and by inversion Winbald) is bold conqueror: Ethelbald, nobly bold: Eadbald, happily bold; which have the same import as Thraseas, Thrasymachus, Thrasybulus, &c.

            KEN, and KIN, denote kinsfolk. So Kinulph, is help to kindred: Kinehelm, a protector of his kindred: Kinburg, the defence of her kindred: Kinric, powerful in kindred.

            CUTH signifies knowledge, or skill. So Cuthwin, is a knowing conqueror: Cuthred, a knowing counsellor: Cuthbert, famous for skill. Much of the same nature are Sophocles, Sophianus, &c.

            EAD in the compounds, and EADIG, in the simple names, denotes happiness, or blessedness. Thus Eadward is a happy preserver: Eadulph, happy assistance: Edgar, happy power: Eadwin, happy conqueror. Which Macarius, Eupolemus, Faustus, Fortunatus, Felicianus, &c. do in some measure resemble.

            FRED is the same with peace; upon which our fore-fathers called their sanctuaries fred-stole, i.e. the seat of peace. So Frederic, is powerful or wealthy in peace: Winfred, victorious peace: Reinfred, sincere peace.

            GISLE, among the English-Saxons signifies a pledge. Thus Fredgisle, is a pledge of peace: Gislebert an illustrious pledge: like the Greek Homerus.

            HOLD, in the old glossaries is taken in the same sense with wold, i.e. A governor or chief officer; but in some other places for love, as Holdlic, lovely.

            HELM denotes defence; as Eadhelm, happy defence: Sighelm, victorious defence: Berthelm, eminent defence: like Amyntas, and Boetius in the Greek.

            HARE, and HERE, as they are differently pronounced, signify both an army and a Lord. So Harold, is a general of an army: Hareman, a chief man in the army: Herebert, famous in the army: Herwin, a victorious army. Which are much like Stratocles, Polemarchus, Hegesistratus, &c.

            HILD in Aelfric's grammar is interpreted a Lord, or Lady. So Hildebert, is a noble Lord: Mahtild, an heroic lady: and in the same sense is Wiga found.

            LEOD signifies the people. Thus Leodgar, is one of great interest with the people.

            LEOF denotes love. So Leofwin, is a winner of love: Leafstan, the best beloved. Like these, Agapetus, Erasmus, Erastus, Philo, Amandus.

            MUND is peace; from whence our lawyers call a breach of the peace, mundbrech. So Eadmund, is happy peace: Ethelmund, noble peace. Aelmund, all peace: equivalent to which, are Irenaeus, Hesychius, Pacatus, Sedatus, Tranquillus, &c.

            RAD, RED and ROD, differing only in dialect, signify counsel; as Conrad, powerful or skilful in counsel. Ethelred, a noble counsellor: Rodbert, eminent for counsel. Eubulus, and Thrasybulus, have almost the same sense.

            RIC denotes a powerful, wealthy, or valiant man; as Fortunatus in those verses seems to hint.

hilperice potens, si interpres barbarus adsit
adiutor fortis hoc quoque nomen habet.
hilperic barbarians a stout helper term.

            so Aelfric, is altogether strong: Ethelric, noble, strong, or powerful. To the same purpose, are Polycrates, Crato, Plutarchus, Opimius.

            SIG they used for victory; as Sigebert, famous for victory: Sigward, victorious preserver: Sigard, conquering temper. And almost in the same sense, are Nicocles, Nicomachus, Nicander, Victor, Victorinus, Vincentius, &c.

            STAN amongst our forefathers was the termination of the superlative degree. So Athelstan, most noble: Betstan, the best: Leofstan, the dearest: Wistan, the wisest: Dunstan, the highest.

            WI, Holy. Thus Wimund, holy peace: Wibert, eminent for sanctity: Alwi, altogether holy. Like to which is Hierocles, Hieronymus, Hosius, &c.

            WILLI and VILI, among the English-Saxons (as billi at this day among the Germans) signified several things. So Willielmus, is the defender of many: Wildred, worthy of respect from many: Wilfred, peace to many. Which are answered in sense and signification by Polymachus, Polycrates, Polyphilus, &c.

            WOLD and WALD with them signified a ruler, or governor. From whence Bertwold, is a famous governor; Ethelwold, a noble governor: Herwald, and by inversion Waldher, a general of an army.

            but here let us stop, since others as well as myself, will think I have said too much upon a trifling subject.

            It may perhaps be more considerable (supposing that these papers have the good fortune to live) if I tell posterity what I myself am an eye-witness of: that as Egbert commanded this nearer part of Britain, then in his own dominion, to be called England; so now after about 800 years, just whilst I am revising this work, King James, being by the favour of heaven, and his own hereditary title, invested in the monarchy of this island, to the general satisfaction of all good men, (that as the island is but one, encompassed with one sea, under his own single person, one crown, the same language, religion, laws, and judicial process; so to settle it in a lasting happiness, and to remove all old quarrels, it should be called by one name:) King James (I say) in the second year of his reign, by a public edict assumed the title of King of Great Britain in all cases whatsoever, setting aside the instruments in law.

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