Again, Eleanor became Elena, and this Lina and Linot. Hence in the Hundred Rolls we find “Linota atte Field.” In fact, the early forms of Eleanor are innumerable. The favourite Sibilla became Sibot:
“Johannes de Estwode, et Sibota uxor ejus, iiiid.
“Willelmus Howeson, et Sibbota uxor ejus, iiiid.”—W. D. S.
Mary not merely became Marion, but Mariot, and from our surnames it would appear the latter was the favourite:
“Isabella serviens Mariota Gulle, iiiid.”—W. D. S.
“Mariota in le Lane.”—Hundred Rolls.
Eve became Evot, Adam and Eve being popular names. In the will of William de Kirkby, dated 1391, are bequests to “Evæ uxori Johannes Parvying” and “Willielmo de Rowlay,” and later on he refers to them again as the aforementioned “Evotam et dictum Willielmum Rowlay” (“Test. Ebor.,” i. 145. Surtees Society).
But the girl-name that made most mark was originally a boy’s name, Theobald. Tibbe was the nick form, and Tibbot the pet name. Very speedily it became the property of the female sex, such entries as Tibot Fitz-piers ending in favour of Tibota Foliot. After the year 1300 Tib, or Tibet, is invariably feminine. In “Gammer Gurton’s Needle,” Gammer says to her maid—
“How now, Tib? quick! let’s hear what news thou hast brought hither.”—Act. i. sc. 5.
In “Ralph Roister Doister,” the pet name is used in the song, evidently older than the play: