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ArchivesRe: Popularity of MANFRED in England?
in reply to a message by Andy ;—)
The only Manfred I've ever heard of in South Africa is Mr Mann! And I was a teacher here for a lo-o-ong time.
Having said that, Afrikaans-speaking South Africans do tend to use German names, though not as much as one might expect. German was the default foreign language on offer in Afrikaans schools, and I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't a few Manfreds dotted about somewhere. But as I say, I've never encountered one, English or Afrikaans speaking.
In England, I would guess that obviously German names would tend to have been rejected from around 1914 onwards. Just as one World War faded a bit from memory, along came another one. But it is a guess. And it doesn't always work, as there can be other factors such as using saints' names in RC families. Ursula is an example there. Was there a St Manfred, I wonder?
Having said that, Afrikaans-speaking South Africans do tend to use German names, though not as much as one might expect. German was the default foreign language on offer in Afrikaans schools, and I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't a few Manfreds dotted about somewhere. But as I say, I've never encountered one, English or Afrikaans speaking.
In England, I would guess that obviously German names would tend to have been rejected from around 1914 onwards. Just as one World War faded a bit from memory, along came another one. But it is a guess. And it doesn't always work, as there can be other factors such as using saints' names in RC families. Ursula is an example there. Was there a St Manfred, I wonder?
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Yes, there was a churchman by that name. Not a Saint, but at least blessed Manfred. He lived in Northern Italy in the 14th century. He has a name day in the Catholic Church, so this probably had some impact at least on the continent. He is not mentioned though in my Dictionary of Saints (Oxford). It's Manfredo in Italy.
As far as I know (I think I read this in Hanks & Hodges' Oxford Dictionary of First Names), the name Manfred was introduced to England by the Normans. But I guess, it never really got popular and in the 20th century, as you say, was looked upon as German rather than Germanic. I never met one Manfred, when I was in England, so I assume, the name is quite rare.
Thanks for your help!
As far as I know (I think I read this in Hanks & Hodges' Oxford Dictionary of First Names), the name Manfred was introduced to England by the Normans. But I guess, it never really got popular and in the 20th century, as you say, was looked upon as German rather than Germanic. I never met one Manfred, when I was in England, so I assume, the name is quite rare.
Thanks for your help!
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