At 2:28:54 PM on Thursday, April 24, 2008, alexandru_mg3
wrote:
[...]
> Now to suppose that 'a Personal Name' was taken from a
> 'nobility rank' this is a pure speculation (I would say a
> poor one)
Attested personal names from France include <Prince> 1269,
<Regina> ~1085, <Reyne> 1319, <Comitissa> 1129, <Contasse>
1320, and <Marchisius> and <Marchisia> in the second half of
the 12th century. In Anglo-Norman England the name <Roi> is
found in 1188. <Jarl> and <Cesare> also come to mind.
Brian