Victorian Romany Names

Traveller families in the 19th century were often misunderstood and marginalised; nevertheless, Victorian society was fascinated by their customs and lore. As such, they became not only the subject of scholarship but also romanticised in popular culture and literature. 

Below are articles and excerpts from contemporary Victorian commentators which focus on the names which were in use in Victorian Britain by Romany Traveller families. Boswell, Lovell, Buckland, Faa, Hearn, Heron, Gray, Lee, Smith, Wood and Young were the most notable Romany families of the period, and much of the literature focuses on them.

This excerpt from The Worcestershire Chronicle (22 March 1890) is taken from a letter to the editor written by Shelsley Beauchamp (quite a name in itself!), under the title The Gispy Tribe of Boswell.

The Sylvester Boswell (also called by the nickname Wester Boswell) mentioned above has his autobiography immortalised in Bath Charles Smart's The Dialect of the English Gypsies (1875). In this work he gives a fascinating account of the names of his immediate family: 

(click to enlarge for lots of interesting names)

His parents, he says, were Teiso and Sophia Boswell (the respective children of Shadrach and Cinderella Boswell and Richard and Bonny Hearne); his siblings Maria, Lucy, Sage, Betsy, Dorelia, Edward and Delata. His own children were Simpronius Bohemia Boswell (known as 'Bui'), Byron, Mackenzie, Oscar, Bruce, Julia, Wallace, Trafalgar and Laura. 
I particularly like the footnote which describes Isaac Herne, son of Nearboy (Neabei) and Sinfi Hearne who had children 'Eza, Trainit, 'Lenda and Collia. 

Another significant 'gipsy-gentleman' was Silvanus Lovell. His family is mentioned in another excerpt from The Worcestershire Chronicle (24 May 1890):

Again Vashti, Cleopatra, Naomi and Diana are mentioned as being common in the community, and special mention is given again to Greenleaf, Mezelly, Britannia and Paradise. 

Members of both the Boswell and Lovell families can be found living on Buggins Lane, Wednesfield on the 1861 census:

1. Sampson, Sarah, Alfred and Ingram Boswell.

2. Celly and Speedwelly Lovell

3. Enoch, Emma, Keomi and Cashmere Lovell

4. Struddveras, Cinderella and Mochas Lovell

5. Alfred, Selina and John Boswell

6. McKenzie, Sarah, Zealand, Kenzilea Boswell

7. Rudolphus, Tranetta, Caroline, Orlando, Zuby, John and Rebecca Boswell

 

This excerpt comes from The Shields Daily Gazette (28 September 1900) and points to the numerous ways in which Romany names were spelt and corrupted. 

To curb my enthusiasm before I get too carried away with too many posts, here finally is a list of given names listed in The Rev. George Hall's The Gypsy's Parson; His Experiences and Adventures (1915).

Airant Aniel Artelus Baius Barendon Bartholoways Bohemia Bosko Boufi Buzi Craimia (possibly Crimea) Credi Dinki Dimiti Doval Dud Duraia Dusti Eros Evergreen Fell Fennix Fowk Ganation Glympton Goliath Goni Haini Harkles Harodain Hedji Inan Ithil Iza Jaina Kaivela Kashi Khulai Ladin (possibly short for Aladdin which was used by the Gray family) Lamerok Leshi Liberty Logan Loni Lumas Lusha Mairik Manabel Manfri / Manful Mantis Meriful Moelus Morpus Moti Motsha / Motshan / Motshus Muldobrai Nelus Niabai (or Neabei / Nearboy) Nipkin Nitshel Northalion Obi Oki Orferus Oseri Othi / Oti Penderbela Persuvius Perun Pesulia Piramus (Pyramus) Polius Potamus Rabai Raito Renda Righteous Rinki Ruslo Sairenda Santabelphijum Santalina Santanoa Seki Seneptune Shandres Shani Shiva Silas Simpronius Solivaino Studivares Swallow Taimi Taiso Teni Thurles Tudlin Tuti Vaina Wacka Waimore Wantelo Wingi Woodlock Yoben Zegul Zezil

Acorn Alamina Andelia Angelis Anis Ashena Ashila Aslog Begonia Bidi / Biti Bobum Boina Consuleti Daiena Darklis Delaia Delenda Deleta (Delata) Deloreni Dorenia Edingel Eldorai Elophia Elvaira (Elvira) Emanaia Erosabel (possibly derived as a feminine form of Eros) Everilda Ezi Fazenti Femi Fernet Fianci Fill Florentia Fluenzi Froniga Genti Glorina Gravelena Idade Inji Jeta Joni Kadilia Kerlenda Kiomi (Keomi) Kodi Kraisini Laini Lavaina (Lovina) Leanabel Lenda Leondra Levaithen (Leviathan - also used for boys) Lidi / Liti Linji Lurina Lusana Lwaiden Madona Maiburi Maireni Mandra Marbeleni Melvinia Memberensi Mezi Million Mino Mireli Miselda Mitoreni Mizereti Modiwench Morjiana Nareli Olovina Omi Oshina Paizeni (possibly Patience) Paizi Pamela Perpagelion Piki Plenti Polovine Pomona Queenation (I've also seen Coronation) Reni Repentance Repriona Richenda Rodi Romania Saibarini Saiera Sain Saiforela Saiki Sanspirela Savaina Sedinia Seluna Seni Separi Shorensi Shuri Sibela Siberensi Sibereti Sinaminta Sinfai (Sinfi, Sinfoy) Spidi Stari (Starlina) Suti Taishan Telaitha Tiena Traienti Treci Treli Trenit Vashti / Wasti Wadi Waini Wenti Weson Whipni Widens Wigi Wuzi Yunakrai (Eunice?) Zebra Zina Zuba

Many of these are variant spellings or nicknames. I have endeavoured to put a 'standardised' spelling in brackets where appropriate.