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about lin:...(m)
in reply to a message by Menke
Lynn from Ashlyn has most likely the same origin as the component lin , which is believed to be from the Germanic word linde meaning 'soft, tender' according to BtN, but according to the Meertens Instituut there are three possible meanings:1) 'snake' (symbolic meaning is 'knower of secrets')
e.g. Latin lentus means 'supple, pliant' (which snakes are) and Old High German lint (snake) and Old Norwegian linnr (snake)2) referring to weapons made of lime-wood
e.g other English word for lime is linden and Old Teutonic linda and the Dutch words linde and lende and Old High German linta 3) 'soft, tender'
e.g. Old High German lindi and English lithe ('supple, pliant') and Spanish lindo ('nice, proper')
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even more...(m)http://home.nextra.sk/hazlin/Historia/historia.htmabove is a site in Slovakian (can't read it either) about a Slovakian village called Hazlin (!). The interesting part is that on the site bottom there are listed how the city was referred to in history. It was first mentioned in 1415 as Heuslingh and later one as Esleng, Hazlyngh, Haslin and finally Hazlin. it all looks very much like Hesling and Hazelinus. another connection i guess. i hope anyone can help me translate the site to see if it contains more useful information (like how it got its name or alike)
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i have asked a native speaker of the Slovak language at AllExperts.com to translate the website for me (which is free).
Within no longer than two days the translation will be ready (according to the site it could be ready today :-) )
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no connection...(m)i've found out that Ashlyn and Ascelin have a connection (share the same origin), but there's no connection between them and Hessel. Hazelinus is indeed a derivation of Hessel, but has nothing to do with Azelinus. i've found Asselin in the database of firstnames of the Meertens Instituut and this name is related to Ashlyn and Ascelin (the site doesn't say that but the name Asselin is composed of ask and lin , like Ascelin and Ashlyn. well, that was it.
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You are right, Menke, about the three possible meanings of "-lind". But etymologically they are all one:
The tree (German "Linde" is so called, because its wood is flexible and thus very useful for making bows.
The same applies to the snake (as in German "Lindwurm" = dragon), not the part about bows, but its ability to bend.
This is at least what my etymological dictionaries say (Kluge and dtv).I don't know about the name Ashlyn(n), but I guess, the ending -lin can also be a deminutive.Keep going, Menke, you are a thorough worker and make good contributions to the board, as far as I can judge.Andy ;—)
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