Cadfael

Cadfael is a Welsh masculine given name derived from the Old Welsh Catmail, meaning "battle prince". The name is composed of the elements cat "battle" and mael "prince".

Etymology and Historical Usage

The name Cadfael is believed to be the birth name of Saint Cadoc, a 6th-century Welsh saint who established monasteries in Wales and Brittany. Saint Cadoc is one of the more prominent British saints, and the name Cadfael appears in medieval Welsh genealogies.

Literary Revival

Cadfael gained widespread modern recognition through the works of British author Ellis Peters (the pen name of Edith Pargeter). She used it for the protagonist of her series The Cadfael Chronicles, first published in 1977. Brother Cadfael is a Welsh Benedictine monk living at the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Shrewsbury, England, during the 12th century. The stories are set during the period of civil war known as "The Anarchy" (c. 1135–1145), and Cadfael is depicted as a former soldier and sailor who brings his worldly experience to the monastery. The popularity of the series has made Cadfael a recognizable name internationally.

Notable Bearers

Aside from the fictional Brother Cadfael, the name is rare historically. There is no well-known historical figure by this name other than its putative connection to Saint Cadoc.

• Meaning: "battle prince"
• Origin: Old Welsh (Catmail)
• Type: First name
• Usage: Welsh, English (mainly in fiction)