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In medieval Europe, dogs were more than companions. They were hunters, guardians, and symbols of loyalty. From the castles of nobility to the fields of farmers, every dog had a name that reflected its purpose, personality, or the humor of its owner.

The 15th-century English manuscript The Names of All Manner of Hounds lists over a thousand names for dogs, from noble titles to earthy nicknames. These names give us a glimpse of how deeply people loved and valued their dogs centuries ago.

Today, those same names can bring character, strength, and charm to modern pups. Whether you’re naming a hunting hound, a family guardian, or a gentle therapy dog, there’s a medieval name that fits perfectly.

Noble and Royal Dog Names

In noble courts, dogs were symbols of prestige. Queens and knights gave their companions names that echoed power and refinement. These names feel timeless, carrying elegance for breeds that hold themselves with poise.

Examples:
Charlemayne, Cowntese, Duchesse, Capteyne, Argente, Baron, Belle, Damysell, Sowdan, Duke, Pleasaunce, Lady Fayre

Best for:
Elegant or regal breeds like Poodles, Borzois, Salukis, and Cavaliers.

These names also fit therapy or companion dogs whose calm demeanor and grace reflect their noble heritage. Calling your dog Duchesse or Charlemayne adds a touch of history every time you say their name.

Hunting and Working Hound Names

Hunting was the heartbeat of medieval sport and survival. Dogs were bred for endurance, intelligence, and courage. Each hound’s name spoke to its skill, speed, or spirit.

Examples:
Hardye, Fynder, Dawngere, Trusty, Bowman, Archer, Fyndewell, Hornblower, Arondel, Fleet, Pursuante, Bocher

Best for:
Retrievers, scent hounds, spaniels, or modern working dogs like police K9s and search-and-rescue breeds.

Names like Hardye and Fynder celebrate the legacy of the hunting hound, while Trusty and Arondel speak to loyalty and reliability. These names carry centuries of tradition, perfect for dogs who love having a job to do.

Guardian and Warrior Dog Names

Medieval castles and villages relied on dogs for protection. Great mastiffs and watch dogs guarded gates, herds, and homes. Their names embodied strength, courage, and duty—qualities that still define modern guardians.

Examples:
Warder, Trewe, Defender, Vigil, Knight, Templar, Bocher, Valour, Hardyng, Justice, Argo, Capteyne

Best for:
German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Belgian Malinois, or any dog with a protective nature.

These names honor bravery and service, whether your dog guards the house, works in law enforcement, or simply keeps a watchful eye on the family.

Nature-Inspired and Everyday Medieval Names

Not all medieval dog names were grand. Many were drawn from daily life—plants, foods, colors, and trades. These names reveal the humor and creativity of ordinary people.

Examples:
Flowre, Honydewe, Salmon, Foxe, Garlik, Mustarde, Clover, Rous, Blanche, Argente, Berry, River

Best for:
Gentle, outdoorsy dogs who love nature, adventure, and sunshine.

These names work beautifully for dogs who are playful and connected to the natural world. Flowre or Honeydewe feels soft and affectionate, while Foxe or Salmon adds an active, rustic touch.

Humorous and Ironic Medieval Names

Medieval people had a sharp sense of humor. They often gave their dogs funny or ironic names—calling a fierce hound Filthe or a small dog Brayneles. These names carried affection, teasing, and charm.

Examples:
Brayneles, Filthe, Nameles, Synfull, Helpeles, Tullymully, Lewde, Careles, Sillyboy, Foly, Mischief, Hasty

Best for:
Dogs with big personalities, clumsy energy, or an endless talent for mischief.

A dog named Tullymully or Nameles will always get a smile. These names are full of character and show that dog lovers in the Middle Ages had the same playful spirit as we do today.

Courtly and Companion Dog Names

Not every medieval dog was a hunter or guard. In noble households, small lapdogs and gentle hounds were beloved companions. They slept on fine cushions and followed their owners through grand halls. Their names reflected affection, comfort, and devotion.

Examples:
Amyable, Pleasaunce, Comforte, Gentyl, Solace, Lufly, Belle, Sweeting, Blameles, Dainty, Amour, Dulcie

Best for:
Smaller or affectionate breeds like Maltese, Shih Tzus, Bichons, or mixed breeds with big hearts.

These names evoke softness and warmth. Calling your dog Solace or Pleasaunce brings an old-world grace into everyday life.

A–Z Medieval Dog Name Reference

Here’s a condensed alphabetical sampler of medieval dog names pulled from historical sources and manuscript lists.

A: Amyable, Argente, Archere, Arondel, Absolon
B: Belle, Bocher, Bowman, Blameles, Best-of-all, Brayneles
C: Careles, Capteyne, Charlemayne, Compaynowne, Cowntese
D: Dawngere, Duchesse, Dolfyn, Defender
E: Ercules, Earnest, Everarde
F: Fynder, Fyndewell, Filthe, Flowre, Foxe, Fortune
G: Garlik, Gentyl, Goodwyn, Goldy, Gaweyne
H: Hardye, Harmeles, Helpeles, Honydewe, Hornblower, Hope
I: Isolde, Innocente
J: Joliboye, Justice
K: Knight, Kynde
L: Lewde, Lufly, Lady Fayre
M: Makehitgood, Merymowthe, Mustarde, Mischief
N: Nameles, Nosewise
O: Orable, Onward
P: Pleasaunce, Pursuante, Pretiboy, Purkoy
Q: Quester, Quick
R: Rous, Ringwood, River
S: Synfull, Sweeting, Solace, Sturdy, Sillyboy
T: Trusty, Trewe, Tullymully, Talbot, Templar
V: Valour, Vigil
W: Warder, Worthy, Wynsome
Y: Yonge, Ynkere

This list shows how diverse medieval dog names could be—some noble, some funny, some completely mysterious. Each carries a glimpse of the people who coined them and the dogs who wore them proudly.

How to Choose the Perfect Medieval Name

1. Think about your dog’s role. Is your dog a hunter, guardian, or companion? Match a name with purpose—Fynder for trackers, Warder for protectors, Pleasaunce for gentle souls.
2. Say it out loud. Medieval names can sound poetic or unusual. Make sure it feels natural to speak every day.
3. Embrace the spelling. There was no standard English in the Middle Ages. Hardye, Hardy, or Hardi could all work. Choose what you like best.
4. Look for meaning. Pick a name that reflects your dog’s nature—Lufly for affectionate, Hardye for brave, or Fyndewell for determined.
5. Make it your own. You can always blend eras. A modern name paired with a medieval one—like “Milo the Trusty” or “Luna of Arondel”—creates something personal and unique.

FAQs

Were medieval dog names real?
Yes. The 15th-century English manuscript The Names of All Manner of Hounds recorded over 1,000 dog names used by hunters and nobles. Many of those names are still documented today in historical studies.

Can I use medieval names for modern dogs?
Absolutely. Medieval names often carry simple meanings—strength, loyalty, beauty, humor—that fit dogs of any era.

What were the most common medieval dog names?
Records show names like Nosewise, Hardye, and Trusty were popular. Noble families used titles like Duchesse or Capteyne, while commoners favored playful names like Tullymully or Filthe.

Do these names have specific meanings?
Many are descriptive or moral. Hardye meant brave, Pleasaunce meant pleasant, and Trewe meant loyal. Others, like Nameles or Synfull, reflected medieval wit.

How can I make a medieval name easier to say?
Simplify spelling or shorten it into a nickname. Pleasaunce can become Plee, Hardye can be Hardy, and Charlemayne can become Charlie.

A good name holds history. When you call your dog by a name once spoken in castle courtyards or forest hunts, you share a small connection with centuries of dog lovers who admired the same traits we still cherish—bravery, loyalty, playfulness, and love.

Whether you choose a noble name like Charlemayne, a humorous one like Tullymully, or a gentle one like Pleasaunce, you’re continuing a tradition that stretches back hundreds of years. Dogs have always deserved names worthy of their hearts—and the medieval world gave them plenty to choose from.