Etheldred..... an unusual name I thought.....

[Mowsehowse]

I was trying to work out something entirely different when I started to investigate Etheldred Davey who was a merchant, sherrif, alderman and mayor of Exeter. He was buried there in 1739.

I have searched and searched for his marriage to his wife who is on the oath roll of 1723, named Frances, but I can't find it, although I have established that this Etheldred was part of the Great Torrington family, and I am happy he was baptised there in 1685.

I have more info about this family if anyone is interested?

Surprisingly it seems the name was used for both male and female children!

[silvery]

It's an old name.   There's quite a few names used m and f -  Leslie/Lesley,  Ashley, Hilary, Frances/Francis, Alex, Deryn, Daryl, and probably others I can't think of.

[Mowsehowse]

Yes, also Marion and Valerie I think.

There was Ethelred ll "The Unready" - deposed in 1013. So royal (and Danish?) roots in the name.....

[smudwhisk]

Etheldreda is latin for Audrey. I've a couple of female ancestors who appear in records under both names.

[Mowsehowse]

Etheldreda is latin for Audrey. I've a couple of female ancestors who appear in records under both names.

Perfect!! The first baptism of an Etheldred I have found in the family is 1630, son of: Richard and AUDRY.

I love rootschat, I'm always amazed what I learn. 

[Janelle]

In my Edbrookes at Exford Somerset William married Richord Houndel sometime somewhere before 1650. Also written as Richarda. 

[Mowsehowse]

Yes..... I have a Richorde bap 1604 married a William in 1630. 

[Janelle]

Yew..... I have a Richorde bap 1604 married a William in 1630. 

  So not as common as Joan and Mary, but these 2 must find themselves a extreeemely common William 

[JaneyH_104]

Etheldreda, the female form of the name, was a queen in East Anglia in the 7th century who became an abbess and founded what is now Ely Cathedral. A long way from Devon, I know, but just a little nugget of information to add to the story.