Æ
Masculine
Anglo-Saxon
Meaning & History
Æthelberht is an Old English masculine given name, a variant of the Anglo-Saxon name Æþelbeorht. Both forms are cognate with the Germanic name Adalbert (modern Albert), meaning "noble and bright" from the elements adal "noble" and beraht "bright". Æthelberht was common in pre-Norman England, borne by several Anglo-Saxon kings, but fell out of use after the Norman Conquest introduced the Norman French form of Albert.
Notable Bearers
The best-known bearer is Æthelberht of Kent (c. 550–616), the first Anglo-Saxon king to convert to Christianity, influenced by Augustine of Canterbury. He is also notable for issuing the earliest written law code in a Germanic language. Other kings named Æthelberht include rulers of East Anglia, Sussex, Wessex, and Kent. Among saints are the martyred princes Æthelred and Æthelberht (died c. 669) and Æthelberht II of East Anglia (died 794). The name was also held by churchmen such as Æthelbert of York (died 780), a scholar and teacher. In its later Anglicized form Ethelbert, the name persisted into modern times, borne by figures like Confederate politician Ethelbert Barksdale and Jesuit botanist Ethelbert Blatter.- Meaning: "noble and bright" (from edel "noble" and beraht "bright")
- Origin: Old English (variant of Æþelbeorht)
- Type: First name
- Usage regions: Anglo-Saxon England
- Related forms: Albert, Ethelbert, Adalbert
Related Names
Other Languages & Cultures
(Swedish)
Albert (German)
Adelbert (Dutch)
Elbert (English)
Ethelbert (Finnish)
Alpertti (French)
Aubert (Frisian)
Abbe, Abe 2 (Galician)
Alberte 1 (Germanic)
Adalbert (German)
Albrecht (Germanic)
Adalberht, Albertus (Spanish)
Adalberto, Alberto (Latvian)
Alberts (Limburgish)
Albaer (Lithuanian)
Albertas (Old Germanic)
Aþalaberhtaz
Sources: Wikipedia — Æthelberht