Brittany (Bretagne)

History

The Breton peninsula was part of the major area of Celtic influence around 200 BC. After 49 BC, it became part of the Roman province of Gallia and when this was divided into three, was included in one of the Imperial provinces, Lugdunensis. After Roman authority weakened, Gaul was overrun by the Huns but they withdrew after the battle of the Catalaunian fields in 451. During this time, the area was being settled by Britons from across the channel who gave it its modern name. Through their influence, part of Brittany or Less Britain was under the Celtic church and the rest remained Roman Catholic like the rest of Gaul (France). The term 'Great' Britain comes from the time during the early medieval period when the two countries had such close ties that Brittany was known as 'Less' Britain but the area is now part of France.

Brittany was never entirely part of the Frankish Empire although it lost land in the reorganisation of the Breton March in 811. From about 844-940, it was a centre of Viking activity. It was claimed as part of the Angevin empire of the Norman kings of England from 1326 and was the Duchy of Brittany until it was annexed by the French in 1491.

Breton Names

Breton is a Celtic language and is still spoken although not usually as the speaker's sole language. In 1803, a law was passed in France which restricted the choice of names to those of saints or figures from ancient history. Biblical names have been freely allowed for a long while and in the C20th a wider range of names became acceptable and old Celtic Breton names began to return. There have been court battles over some of the more unusual names chosen by Breton nationalists although some have become well-established. Many of the names listed are those of early Celtic saints who may have come originally from England or Ireland. Others are forms of Biblical names found in the Breton calendar of saints' feast days.

Male

Adeodat	Ado	Ael	Aelig	Agnan	Aignan
Alar	Alarig	Alban	Albin	Albinig	Aler
Alerig	Allore	Alor	Alunoc	Andreo	Andrev
Annaeg	Annaog	Aodren	Aodrenig	Aofred	Aoperzh
Aostin	Argan	Argantael	Armanz	Armel	Arneg
Artus	Arzhael	Arzhaelig	Arzhel	Arzhelig	Arzhul
Arzhulig	Arzhur	Arzhurig	Arzhvael	Aube	Aubin
Audren	Ave	Avel	Avelig	Avielour	Avran
Awen	Awenig	Aza	Azaf	Balae	Bastian
Beda	Benead	Benedig	Bennigan	Benniged	Benniget
Berac'h	Berin	Bernez	Bernian	Bertele	Beuno
Beuzec	Beuzeg	Beuzegig	Bi	Biavili	Bieuzi
Bili	Binidig	Binig	Blaez	Bleiz	Bleizig
Bleizou	Blez	Bodeg	Bozael	Bozeg	Bozel
Bozian	Brec'han	Brelivet	Brendanig	Breval	Brevala
Brevalaer	Brevalan	Brevaler	Brevara	Brewal	Brewalan
Brewen	Briac	Briag	Briagenn	Brieg	Briegig
Briegou	Brieuc	Brioc	Briog	Brivael	Brivel
Briz	Bron	Budeaux	Budig	Budoc	Budog
Cado	Cadoc	Cadou	Caio	Caradec	Carantec
Catman	Cerialtanus	Charlez	Charlig	Charlou	Cheun
Coemgen	Colledoc	Conan	Congard	Conhoiarn	Conog
Conogan	Convarch	Corentin	Dagan	Deklan	Deniel
Denielig	Denig	Denoel	Denoelig	Derog	Derrien
Devan	Devi	Dewi	Dic'hil	Dider	Dinan
Divi	Dogmael	Dogmeel	Dogvael	Donald	Donan
Donasian	Donatien	Donnan	Dozhwal	Drenig	Drenwal
Drev	Edern	Edernig	Edwin	Efflam	Efflamm
Efflammig	Eflamm	Eflammig	Eginer	Ehoarn	Ehouarn
Elar	Elarig	Eleiran	Elen	Eler	Elerig
Eliaz	Elid	Eliez	Elorn	Elouan	Elouen
Elvin	Emeran	Emeri	Emilion	Eneour	Enna
Enni	Enogad	Enogat	Enored	Envel	Eo
Eozen	Eozenig	Eozenou	Ergad	Ergat	Erispoë
Erlé	Ernin	Erwan	Erwanig	Eudon	Euzen
Evan	Evarzheg	Evemer	Even	Ever	Evon
Ewan	Ewen	Ewin	Ewinus	Ezvin	Faelan
Faizh	Fanch	Fiac	Fiakr	Fieg	Filberzh
Fili	Filis	Finbar	Fingar	Finian	Finnian
Flann	Fleg	Follan	Foreannan	Fragan	Frañcez
Frañch	Frañsa	Fransez	Friard	Gael	Gail
Gallwell	Garmon	Garvan	Gavin	Gevrog	Gildas
Gilduen	Gilduin	Gilles	Gireg	Glaoda	Glen
Goal	Gobrian	Gobrien	Goezian	Goneri	Gonery
Gorun	Gothian	Goual	Gouenou	Gouesnou	Goueznou
Goulchan	Goulchen	Gouloz	Goulven	Goulwen	Gouron
Gourzelv	Goustan	Govran	Govrian	Gozien	Gralon
Gudwal	Guen	Guenegan	Guennolé	Guenolé	Guenou
Guethenoc	Guigner	Guihen	Guinoux	Guirec	Guiscard
Gulchien	Gulian	Guntiern	Gurguy	Gurval	Gurvan
Guyomard	Gwalon	Gwazeg	Gweltaz	Gwenael	Gwendal
Gwenegan	Gwengalon	Gwenneg	Gwennin	Gwenole	Gweteonoc
Gwezheneg	Gwezhenneg	Gwier	Gwihen	Gwilherm	Gwilleu
Gwinian	Gwinier	Gwion	Gwithian	Gwythian	Haelmoren
Harn	Hegareg	Henog	Herblon	Herbod	Herle
Hermeland	Hernin	Herve	Herveig	Hildutus	Hoel
Houardon	Houarn	Houarvian	Iduned	Ie	Ifig
Ilan	Illec	Iltud	Iodoc	Iudmoren	Ivi
Ivo	Ivon	Izold	Izuned	Jacut	Jagu
Jak	Jakez	Jalm	Jaoua	Jaouen	Jaoven
Jegu	Jelvestr	Jezekael	Jezekel	Jildaz	Jili
Joavan	Job	Joeva	Joevin	Johel	Jord
Jos	Josse	Josselin	Jozeb	Jud	Judicael
Judikael	Judoc	Judog	Juluan	Juvad	Kadec
Kadeg	Kado	Kadvalaer	Kaie	Kaou	Kaour
Kaourantin	Kaourintin	Karadeg	Karan	Karanteg	Kare
Karenteg	Karneg	Kast	Kavan	Ke	Kelig
Kemo	Kenan	Kendiern	Kenelm	Kenerin	Kenider
Kentigern	Keriane	Kerrian	Keverne	Kieran	Kilian
Kilien	Kireg	Kirill	Klaoda	Kleden	Kler
Kolaz	Kolen	Kolomban	Komgall	Konan	Koneg
Kongal	Kongar	Konhouarn	Konneg	Konogan	Konvarch
Konvoion	Konwal	Konwen	Korneli	Koulfinid	Kouli
Koulman	Koulmkell	Kristan	Kristen	Kristian	Laduenan
Lan	Lanig	Laouenan	Leonor	Leri	Lery
Levan	Loeiz	Loic	Loig	Lorañs	Louarn
Loudiern	Louri	Lukaz	Lunaire	Lunen	Luner
Machutus	Maclou	Madeg	Maden	Madoc	Mae
Maeg	Mael	Maeleg	Maelvon	Magloire	Maheu
Majan	Malo	Malor	Maodez	Maogad	Maoran
Marchan	Marzin	Matelin	Mateo	Matronus	Mauded
Maudez	Maugan	Maulde	Mautith	Maze	Mazhev
Meal	Meen	Mel	Melaine	Melan	Melar
Melen	Melguen	Melin	Melio	Meloar	Meloir
Melor	Meogon	Meriadeg	Meriadoc	Merin	Merryn
Meven	Mewen	Mikael	Mikêl	Milian	Miliau
Milio	Million	Modan	Modez	Moe	Moi
Mollien	Molv	Moran	Mordiern	Morvan	Morvred
Mwy	Nazer	Nedeleg	Neven	Nevenou	Neventer
Nikolaz	Nikolazig	Nin	Ninian	Ninn	Nioreg
Odoceus	Olîer	Onen	Ou	Oudoceus	Pabu
Padarn	Padern	Padrig	Paol	Paolig	Pasker
Patern	Per	Peran	Pereg	Perez	Pergad
Perig	Pèr	Pêr	Pever	Pieran	Pierrick
Pol	Primael	Primel	Privael	Privel	Quay
Riagad	Rieg	Rioc	Riothamus	Riowen	Rivoare
Rivold	Riwal	Riwall	Riwallan	Riwan	Riwanon
Riwelen	Rog	Rogasian	Rogatien	Ronan	Roparzh
Roperh	Ruaud	Ruvon	Saig	Salaün	Samzun
Sane	Santig	Segal	Segondel	Sekondel	Senan
Senour	Servan	Seva	Seve	Sezni	Sezny
Sieg	Similien	Sklaer	Soa	Soaig	Solen
Stefan	Stevan	Suliag	Sulian	Suliau	Sulien
Sulio	Tangi	Tanguy	Tegoneg	Tei	Teliau
Telo	Tenedor	Tenenan	Théliau	Thélo	Tierneg
Tiernvael	Tin	Tina	Tinaig	Tinidor	Tininor
Tirizhian	Tivizio	Toel	Tomaz	Tonan	Tremeur
Treveur	Tual	Tudal	Tudec	Tudeg	Tudi
Tudy	Tugal	Tugdual	Tugen	Tujan	Tujen
Tunio	Tuno	Turiau	Turien	Turio	Unolaus
Urfol	Urien	Uuel	Uuican	Vann	Venec
Vial	Viau	Visant	Vital	Von	Vonig
Vougay	Winnog	Winnol	Winog	Winwaloe	Wiuhomarch
Wrmonoc	Yan	Yann	Yanni	Yannic	Yannick
Yannig	Yannou	Yeun	Youenn	Youn	Yugonvarc'h
Yun	Yungourian	Yuz	Yuzel

Female

Aamor	Adenor	Adenora	Aela	Aelaig	Aelez
Aelezig	Aelig	Aenor	Agata	Agiol	Ahez
Alana	Alanez	Alara	Albina	Albinenn	Alera
Alienor	Alis	Almeda	Alwena	Amelle	Ana
Anaique	Andréa	Andreva	Annaig	Annick	Annig
Antoneta	Aoda	Aodez	Aodrena	Aodrenell	Aouregan
Aouregen	Aouregon	Aouregwenn	Aourell	Aourellig	Aourgen
Archantael	Archantel	Argantael	Argantel	Argentael	Armel
Armela	Arzela	Arzhel	Arzhela	Arzhelenn	Arzhelez
Arzhula	Arzhulenn	Arzhura	Arzhurenn	Arzhvael	Arzhvaelig
Audrey	Avela	Aven	Avenie	Awen	Awena
Azenor	Azenora	Azenorig	Azilis	Aziliz	Azvent
Barba	Barban	Beatriz	Bél	Bélig	Berched
Berhed	Bernadeta	Bleuenn	Bleunienn	Bleunvenn	Bleuzenn
Brec'hed	Brewalen	Burian	Chan	Clair	Dahud
Dalerc'ha	Deklan	Delfina	Deneza	Deniela	Derwell
Dim	Dogmaela	Dunvael	Eflez	Elen	Elena
Elesbed	Elizabed	Emmanuela	Enora	Erell	Ermengarde
Erwanez	Eryl	Essylt	Euriel	Eurielle	Eved
Ewaned	Fanchon	Franseza	Fransoez	Gaelle	Gladez
Glannon	Guenaèlle	Gwendolina	Gwengunv	Gwengustle	Gwenlaouen
Gwenlev	Gwenn	Gwenna	Gwennaig	Gwenola	Gwenvred
Gwerborc'h	Gwilhamet	Haude	Heodez	Hoel	Ivona
Izabel	Izold	Jan	Janed	Janig	Jenovefa
Jermana	Joela	Josefa	Kanna	Karadeg	Karel
Karolina	Katarin	Katell	Kennoc'ha	Keridwen	Kinnie
Klaoda	Klara	Klervia	Klervie	Klerwi	Klodina
Koleta	Koulm	Koulmia	Koulmig	Koupaia	Krestell
Kristell	Kristenn	Kristina	Laig	Lanwenn	Laora
Laorans	Lavena	Lena	Lenaig	Levenez	Lezig
Libouban	Lila	Liza	Lizig	Loeiza	Lupita
Lusia	Madalen	Madenn	Maela	Maelduina	Maiwenn
Marcharid	Margeit	Mari	Maria	Marianig	Mariig
Marivona	Marivonig	Marzina	Melle	Mevanwi	Mikaela
Mon	Mona	Morgan	Morgana	Morgane	Morganez
Morised	Morna	Morvanez	Morwenna	Naig	Nennok
Ninnoc	Ninnog	Ninog	Noella	Noluenn	Nolwenn
Nonn	Nonna	Norig	Noyala	Noyale	Oanez
Onenn	Ozvan	Padriga	Paola	Paolina	Paskella
Peronell	Pezen	Piala	Renea	Riwanon	Rozenn
Ruvonenn	Sennin	Sev	Sidwell	Sisilia	Sklerijenn
Soaz	Soazig	Solena	Sterenn	Tedvil	Tekla
Tirid	Trifin	Trifina	Trifine	Tudon	Tunvez
Uriel	Uriell	Veronika	Vinvella	Viviana	Vouga
Yaouank	Youna	Yulizh	Yuna	Yuveot

Surnames

Codoc

d'Avennes

Menguy

de Rais

Tanguy

Leaders

Nomenoe	c 826
Erispoe	c 851	son of Nomenoe
Conan	-992

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This collection of names compiled by Kate Monk. Copyright January 1997, Kate Monk. Last updated January 1998. Copies may be made for personal use only.