Dicun is a Medieval English diminutive of Dick 1, which itself is a diminutive of Richard. The name Richard comes from the Old German elements rih meaning 'ruler, king' and hart meaning 'hard, firm, brave, hardy', giving the name its overall sense of 'brave ruler'. Introduced to England by the Normans after the Conquest, Richard became one of the most common male names in medieval England.Etymology and FormationMedieval English diminutives often used suffixes like -cun or -kin to create affectionate or familiar forms. Dicun follows this pattern, combining the nickname Dick with the suffix -cun. The initial 'D' in Dick came from a characteristic change in pronunciation — the trilled Norman 'R' in Ricard (an Old French form of Richard) was perceived by English speakers as 'D', leading to variants like Dick and Hick. Dicun thus reflects both the linguistic adaptation of Richard in England and the medieval fondness for double diminutives.Historical ContextDuring the late Middle Ages, Richard (and its many diminutives) was exceptionally popular. Historical records show names like Dicun, Diccon, Dickon, and Hick as common colloquial forms. The name Dicun appears in medieval English documents, such as tax rolls and parish registers, often referring to individuals of lower social status. For example, a Dicun can be found in the 13th-century Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire.Related FormsDicun shares its root with Hudde, another medieval English diminutive of Richard. While Hudde derives from the 'H' variant (via Hick or Hudde), Dicun comes from the 'D' stream via Dick. Other related diminutives include Richie and the less common Ric. Variants like Diccon also exist, with an alternative suffix.DeclineAs with many medieval diminutives, Dicun fell out of use by the early Modern period, overshadowed by more standard nickname forms like Dick or Rich. Today, it is an obsolete name, known primarily through historical records and academic study of medieval onomastics.Meaning: diminutive of 'brave ruler'Origin: Old German via Latin and Old FrenchType: Medieval English diminutiveUsage: England (13th–15th centuries)