Medieval Occupations and Titles

Squire

French

"esquire"

Conjures up a tweedy English country gentleman with a large paunch.

Steward

Steward is a masculine name derived from an occupational surname referring to an important household official or manager of an estate. It comes from the Old English 'stiweard,' combining 'stig'…

Tailor

Tailor is a masculine occupational name derived from the profession of tailoring—creating and altering clothing. While traditionally used as a surname (often spelled Taylor), its use as a first name…

Thane

Scottish

"clan chieftain"

This early Scottish title -- known to us via Shakespeare's Macbeth -- has recently surfaced as a baby name possibility, familiar sounding through its similarity to names like Zane and Wayne.

Thatcher

English occupational name

"roof thatcher"

Thatcher is an open and friendly freckle-faced surname, fresher sounding than Tyler or Taylor, that dates back to the days of thatched-roof cottages. It is catching on with modern parents—it reached…

Tiler

Tiler is a masculine name derived from the occupational surname referring to someone who makes or lays tiles. This occupation-based name follows the tradition of surnames like Smith, Baker, or Mason…

Tinker

English occupational name

A not uncommon surname in Northern England that remains uncommon as a first name everywhere. To many, it instantly conjures up the image of Tinker Bell, Peter Pan's fairy friend. (We don't know…