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-   -   Maximilian as a forename in Elizabethan England (http://genealogistsforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=29481)

Pinefamily 05-02-21 08:10

Maximilian as a forename in Elizabethan England
 
I have just come across a Maximilian Comynge, baptized 1589 in Bishopsteignton Devon, my 9x great grandfather. Son of and father of a Thomas Comynge, and no others of that name that I can see. According to FMP Devon Baptisms, there are 33 Maximilian's mostly in and around that era.
My question is, where would a name like that come from? I can only see Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, who died in 1579. Was there a person of note in England who may have been the source?

Olde Crone 05-02-21 11:48

I think it was probably just showing an allegiance to the Holy Roman Emperor. I have many instances of "religious" names in that era. The fact that it became common in one area just signifies a lot of copy catting, lol. I expect if you dig deep enough you will find an important local family who first used the name, then everyone else copied, either to curry favour or maybe just because they liked the name.

OC

Pinefamily 05-02-21 22:06

Thanks OC. Further digging has revealed a couple of saints too, so perhaps the parents were religious. A couple of connected families were Catholic, so the Emperor suggestion is a possibility too.
It was just a surprise to see Maximilian among all the usual Williams, Richards, Johns, etc.


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