Occupational By-Names in the 1292 Tax Role of Paris
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Occupational By-Names in the 1292 Tax Role of Paris

By Colm Dubh
©2000-2005 Scott Catledge

This article originally appeared in the 2000 KWHS Proceedings and is reprinted with the permission of the author.

Occupational By-Names in the 1292 Tax Role of Paris as presented by Hercule Géraud in Paris sous Philippe le Bel, who in 1837 edited a copy of the original manuscript containing Le Rôle de la Taille imposed on the inhabitants of Paris in 1292. The book was reprinted by Max Niemeyer Verlag, Tübingen 1991, as Volume 2 of Patronymica Romanica, a series edited by Professor Dieter Kremer.

By the end of the 10th century what little there ever was of the Roman tripartite naming system of forename, clan name, and family name had disappeared in Northern France. Even though there were far more forenames in the Germanic name treasury of the Franks than the 11 that made up 95% of the Roman patrician forenames, they sufficed only in small villages. In cities, more identification than a given name was required for tax purposes. The byname might be descriptive, locative, relational, or occupational. By 1292 a few of the bynames had begun to harden into family names; however, the specific intent of this index was to identify the occupational bynames – male and female – that were used to help identify different taxpayer – not to identify which occupational bynames had already coagulated into a family name.

For sorting purposes, a philologically correct male form of the byname was given regardless of whether any such name ever existed. The spelling variants were legion; however, all examples were tabulated under the most convenient male and female forms. A perhaps too brief a definition was given for each name listed. The names were checked against several large French reference books, a dictionary of medieval French, and all the French references dictionaries on line recommended by the Medieval Text online group. Two uncommon names were omitted deliberately because of lack of identification.

Because occupational bynames were the point of interest, not the occupations themselves, all of the "who does thus and such" items were omitted. Such descriptions are fine for the purpose of identifying someone but are not suitable as bynames. In a few cases, the bynames were spelled the same; the count by sex was derived by the given names associated with the byname. The frequencies are presented for those who like statistics: they may determine how many tax payers are in what occupation. The occupation of one small group as persons who lived in a bad part of town and led bad lives gives us a byname that does not offer enlightenment as to what their occupation(s?) might have been.

Names ending -éeur were pronounced as if the initial "e" were an acute accent; those with -ière, as though the initial "e" were a grave accent. A little later in period they would have been written that way also.

Colm Dubh

Go to an index to the given names in census.


Table of Surnames
Masculine No. Feminine No. Meaning
afeteeur 0 afeterresse de toile 1 cloth presser
afinneeur 2 afineresse 1 refiner
afinneeur d'argent 1 gold refiner
aguillier 4 aguilliere 1 needle maker
aide a four 7 baker's helper
aillier 9 garlic merchant
aloier 1 aloiere 1 manager
amenconneeur 3 fishing gear maker
amiraut 1 amiraude 2 magistrate
ampolieeur 5 polisher
anelier 5 ring maker
appareilleeur 2 draftsman
arbalastrier 5 crossbow maker
archier 1 archiere 1 bow & arrow maker
arconneeur 6 bow maker
argenteeur 5 silversmith; money changer
armeurier 22 armor maker
atacheeur 5 atachiere 2 nail maker
atireeur de busche 1 log floater
aumosnier 2 purse maker
aumucier 9 hood maker
auneeur 2 fabric measurer
auneeur de toiles 1 fabric measurer
auquetonnier 4 wool padding maker
autelleur 1 altar maker
avaleeur 2 ship launcher
avaleeur de nes 2 ship launcher
avenier 8 aveniere 1 oat merchant
avocat 2 lawyer
bahurier 3 chest maker
balancier 2 balance scale maker
baleeur 1 dancer
barbier 150 barbiere 1 barber
barnier 1 nobleman
barrillier 6 barrel maker
basanier 13 sheepskin seller
bastier 5 builder
bataillier 1 professional second for duels
bateeur 4 metal workers
batelier 1 barquaresse 1 boat captain
baudroyer 8 baudreere 1 leather insole maker
bedel 2 bedelle 1 public cryer
berchier 10 berchiere 1 shepherd/shepherdess
billardier 1 ball maker for ground bowling
blaatier 4 wheat seller
blazennier 1 blazenniere 1 leather worker
boiselier 1 bushel & other measure maker
bouchier 33 bouchiere 3 butcher
bouclier 12 boucliere 3 metal buckle & buckler maker
bouclier de fer 2 metal buckle & buckler maker
boudinnier 8 boudinniere 4 tripe butcher
bourrelier 20 harness maker
bourriau 1 hangman
boursier 30 boursiere 4 purse maker
boutier 1 bottle seller
boutier la reyne 1 queen's butler
boutier le roy 2 king's butler
boutonnier 9 boutonniere 2 button maker
bouvier 4 cattle merchant
braceeur 1 brewer
braelier 5 braeliere 1 wire braider
broudeeur 8 broderesse 6 embroiderer
bufetier 49 bufetiere 2 wine seller
buschier 18 buchiere 3 firewood seller
çavetier 139 çavetiere 1 cloth roller
calandreeur 3 cloth roller
cendrier 0 cendriere 1 ash/powder seller
cercelier 1 barrel hoop maker
cerenceeur 0 cerenceresse 3 wool/hemp/linen carder
cervoisier 35 cervoisiere 2 beer maker
chaenier 1 chaeniere 1 chain maker
chambellenc 1 chamberlain
chamberier 0 chamberiere 199 chamber maid
champion 10 professional second for duels
chandelier 61 chandeliere 10 tallow candle maker
chandelier de cire 1 wax candle maker
chanevacier 2 chanevaciere hemp cloth maker/seller
changeeur 16 money changer; banker
chantelier 1 wine tax collector
chanvier 1 chanviere 1 dried hemp seller
chapelier 47 wool hat/glove maker
chapelier de feutre 7 felt hat maker
chapelier de soie 0 chapeliere de soie silk hat maker
chaperonnier 5 chaperonniere 1 hood maker
chapuisseur 11 saddle horn maker
chapuisseur de baz 1 wooden horn form maker
charbonnier 13 charbonniere 3 charcoal seller
chardonnier 1 chardonniere 1 thistle seller
charnisseur 1 meat tax collector
charpentier 88 charpentiere 7 carpenter
charpentier de meson 1 frame worker
charpentier de nes 2 boat builder
charretier 46 charretiere 1 teamster
charron 18 cartwright
chartrier 1 jailer
chasublier 5 habit/vestment maker
chaucier 59 chauciere 2 illustrator
chauderonnier 6 boiler/pot/pan maker
chaumeeur 1 straw seller
cheville 2 dowel/peg maker
Chevrier 1 goat seller/herdsman
clerc 53 clergesse 1 clerk: clergy below priest level
clooutier 17 cloutiere 1 nail maker
closier 2 concierege
cochetier 4 cochetiere boat builder/steerman
coffrier 4 coffriere 22 coffin maker
commandeeur 0 commanderesse 1 head housekeeper
comporteeur 0 comporteresse 1 barley retailer
concierge 21 concierge 3 concierge
conreeur 19 courraiere 3 leather/fur trimmer
conteeur de busche 1 wood measurer
contre-cenglier 2 strap maker
coquillier 2 coquilliere hairdo-support maker
corbelinier 1 basket maker
cordelier 2 lace maker
cordoanier 222 cordoaniere 4 Cordovan leather shoe maker
cornetier 1 dice/ink horn maker
coronier 1 gold/silver/bread crown maker
corratier 23 brokers
corrigeeurs 1 strap maker
courraier 78 courraiere 3 leather/silk/silver belt maker
courratier de chevaux 3 horse broker
courratier de vins 3 wine broker
courrier 1 lay judge/officer for archbishop
courtillier 6 gardener
coustier 7 coustiere 2 feather bed/cushion/mattress maker
cousturier 57 cousturiere 46 tailors; dressmaker
cousturier de ganz 1 glovemaker
coutelie-fevre 2 knifesmith
coutelier 21 couteliere 1 knife blade sheath maker
couvreeur 1 roofer
crespinier 10 crespiniere 22 silk wire frame maker for hairdos
crieur 43 crieresse 1 public cryer
crieur de vin 4 wine price cryer for taverns
cristalier 17 cristaliere 1 cut/painted glass sellers
crosetier 2 crutch/cane maker
cuillerier 1 eating knife maker
cuirier 3 leather merchant
cuisinier 21 caterer/restauranteur
deeliers 1 notions maker
deicier 6 deiciere 1 dice maker
descharcheeur 45 descharcheresse 1 merchandise unloader
doreeur 4 gilder
dorelotier 14 ribbon/lace/cover/fringe maker
drapier 19 drapes/coverlet maker/seller
ecrivain 24 scrivener
emmancheeur 10 knife/utensil handle maker
enclumier 1 anvil maker
encrier 0 encriere 1 ink maker
enligneeur 2 surveyer-draftsman
enlumineeur 13 manuscript/picture illuminator
erbier 5 erbiere 2 herb/potion seller
eschaudeeur 2 type of pie-maker
eschaufaudeeur 2 scaffolding builder
escorcheeur 13 animal skinner
escreveicier 2 type of armor maker
escrinier 2 jewel/money box maker
escriturier 1 clerk of court
escucier 1 painted/decorated shield maker
escuelier 9 pottery seller
escuier 12 escuiere 3 squire & wife
esmailleeur 5 enameler
esmouleeur 6 grinder
esperonnier 3 spurrier
espicier 28 especiere herbalist/apothecary
espinguier 10 espinguiere 1 nail maker
establier 1 outside counter salesman
estoupier 1 tow/oakum seller
estuveeur 21 estuveresse 1 public bath proprietor
fanier 20 faniere 2 hay seller
farinier 4 fariniere 1 miller/flour seller
faucheeur 3 faucheresse 1 reaper
fauconnier 5 fauconniere 1 falcon seller/tender
fenestrier 1 walking pedler selling thru windows
fermailler 5 chain/bookclasp/clotheshook maker
ferpier 112 ferpiere 9 used clothes seller
ferron 9 ferronne 2 iron maker/seller
feutrier 8 feutriere 2 felt seller
fevre 74 smith
fienseur 2 manure seller
filandrier 2 filandriere 3 spinner
fileeur de saie 0 fileresse de saie 8 silk spinner
flechier 1 fletcher
fleuteeur 2 flautist
floreeur de coiffe 0 floreresse de coiffes 1 hat/hairdo floral decorator
florier 1 floriere 1 flower seller
fondeeur 2 metal caster
fontenier 1 fountain maker
forcetier 11 shears/clippers maker
forestier 1 forestiere 2 forester
fouacier 2 fouaciere 1 type of bread maker
fouchier 0 fouchiere 2 priest's concubine
foulon 24 fuller
fourbeeur 35 sword (re)furbisher
fourmagier 17 fourmagiere 1 cheese seller
fournier 86 fourniere 8 public baker
fourrelier 6 sheath/scabbard maker
fourrier 10 draft officer/stable worker/hay seller
fraseeur 1 fringe maker
fritier 7 fried fish seller
fruitier 11 fruitiere 12 fruit seller
gaagne-pain 2 metal vase/goblet cleaner/restorer
galochier 2 wooden-sole shoe maker
gantier 21 glove/mitten maker
garnisseeur 2 garnisseresse 2 metal reinforcerer/decorater
gascheeur 2 plaster/mortar mixer/oar maker
gastelier 7 cake/pie bakers
goulier 1 purse/satchel/shoulder bag maker
granchier 2 tenant farmer
gravelier 4 graveliere 1 sand/gravel extractor
greffier 7 a type of armor maker
gruier 1 woodland law judge
gueinier 50 gueinniere 2 sheath/scabbard maker
harengier 7 harangiere 2 eel/salt water fish seller
harier 1 laborer
hasteeur 3 meat chef
haubergier 4 type of armor maker
hiaumier 7 helm maker
hostellier 12 hostelliere 6 inn keeper
hougier 1 gaiter & laced boot maker
houlier 4 houliere 1 low life
huchier 29 chest/coffer-maker
jaugeeur 3 gauger
joelier 1 joaliere 1 jeweler
jugleeur 3 singer/minstrel/musician
laceeur 0 laceresse 6 woman's lace-maker
lampier 5 lamp/candelabra/candlestand maker
lanier 13 laniere 3 linen seller or apprentice
lanternier 3 horn-lantern maker
lavandier 6 lavandiere 37 laundry worker
lavandier de testes 0 lavandiere de testes 1 dishwasher
leitier 4 leitiere 4 milk-seller
libraire 8 book-seller
lieeur 17 bookbinder
lieeur de fain 1 hay-sheafer
lingier 3 lingiere 2 linen seller or worker
linier 10 liniere 8 flax seller
lombart 44 lombarde 5 banker/lender/money changer
loquetier 0 loquetiere 2 rag seller
lormier 39 saddler
maçon 102 maçonne 2 mason
maignen 12 cauldron maker
maistre-d'ecole 11 elementery school teacher
marcheant 5 marcheande 2 merchant
marechal 32 marechale 2 farrier
marinier 12 sailor
marreglier 3 marregliere 1 churchwarden
masuier 1 house manager
mazelinnier 5 chalice maker
measureeur 13 bonded measurer
measureeur de ble 1 wheat measurer
measureeur de busche 4 wood measurer
measureeur de sel 5 salt measurer
menestrel 1 musician
mercier 63 merciere 7 haberdasher
merrenier 3 stave wood seller
mesgeicier 21 mesgeiciere 2 tanner
messagier 13 public/private messenger
messier 1 field guard
meuleur 2 miller
mire 29 mirgesse 8 doctor who treats patients
miroerier 4 mirror seller
monnoier 19 money-changer
mortelier 7 morteliere 1 mortar preparer
mouleeur 2 buckle/ring maker
moustardier 10 mustard maker/seller
munier 51 muniere 5 miller
natier 1 floor mat maker/seller
navetier 4 boat-builder
norrice 0 norrice 12 nursemaid/companion
notaire 12 notary
oier 3 roasting apprentice
oier 3 roast caterer
oignonnier 1 onion seller
oiseleeur 3 bird seller
orbatteeur 6 gold beater
orfevre 115 orfaverresse 1 goldsmith
orfroisier 1 gold braid/cloth maker
ossier 1 bone carver
oublier 27 oubliere 2 itinerant pastry hawker
ouvrier 0 ouvriere 1 worker
paagier 1 public crier
paalier 1 pan/skillet maker
paintre 32 paintre 1 artist/house painter
panelier 3 rabbit-snare maker
paonnier 4 paonniere 1 peafowl seller
parcheminier 18 parcheminiere 1 parchment maker/seller
parchier 2 animal pound guard
passeeur 29 ferry owner/captain
pataier 64 pataiere 4 pastry maker & seller
paternostrier 14 rosary makers
paucier 1 animal skinner
paumier 13 paumiere 1 "tennis-ball maker, -court proprietor"
peletier 209 peletiere 5 leather and fur seller
pellier 6 shovel-maker; pearl seller
perrier 10 perriere 3 lapidary
pescheeur 8 pescheresse 2 fisher
peseeur 1 royal weightmaster
pessier 0 pessiere 1 weight-maker
pevrier 7 salt & pepper seller
pignier 9 pingeresse 7 comb-maker; fleece-carder
piqueeur 4 pike-maker
plastrier 36 plaster seller
ploumier 1 feather embroiderer; lead-club maker
poissonnier 33 poissonniere 8 fisher
poletier 0 pouletiere 3 poultry seller
poqueteeur 1 bag maker
poraier 3 poreeresse 4 cooking-herb seller
porchier 11 swineherder
porteeur 42 sedan-chair porter
porteeur de ble 12 wheat-carrier
porteeur de busches 10 wood-carrier
porteeur de perche 1 surveyor assistant
porteeur de plastre 2 plaster-carrier
porteeur de sel 1 salt-carrier
porteeur d'yaue 58 water-carrier
portier 12 portiere 1 concierge
potier 49 potiere 5 clay-/copper-/tin-pot maker
poulailler 46 poulailliere 3 poultry seller
prestre 11 prestesse 2 priest & priest's wife
prevost 3 prevoste 1 prevost
procureeur 1 trial lawyer
qualandreeur 2 cloth roller
quarrelier 1 stone cutter; rough stone seller
quarrier 18 quarrieresse 2 stone quarrier
queu 23 cook
quirier 5 leather seller
recouvreeur 21 roofer
regratier 74 regratiere 46 foodstuff reseller
retondeeur 9 cloth shearer
roullier 1 bonded measurer or weigher
saacier 1 saaciere 1 sack maker
saunier 8 sauniere 3 salt seller
sausier 7 prepared sauce seller
savonnier 7 savonniere 1 soap maker/seller
seeleeur 8 wood/metal engraver
segier 1 chair/sofa/footstool maker
selier 51 saddler
serjant 47 home/court/royal servant
serrurier 26 serrurier 1 locksmith
sieeur 7 sawyer
sommelier 2 wine steward
soufletier 2 bellows-maker
sueur 25 cobbler
tabellion 1 church notary
tabletier 20 tabletiere 1 work/display table maker
taboureeur 2 drummer/drum case maker
taconneeur 1 cobbler
taier 0 taiere 7 pillowcase maker
tailleeur 123 taillerresse 1 tailor
tailleeur de drap 1 tailor
tailleeur de pierre 12 stone carver
tailleeur de robes 15 robe maker
tailleeur d'or 1 goldsmith
tainturier 15 tainturiere 1 dyer
talemelier 61 talemeliere 1 bread baker-seller
taneeur 2 tanner
tapicier 23 tapiciere 1 carpet/tapestry weaver
tartier 0 tartriere 1 tart seller
taupier 0 taupiere 1 mole trapper
tavernier 86 innkeeper
telier 16 toueliere 5 cloth maker/seller
tesserant 73 tesserande 9 weaver
tesserant de linge 4 linen weaver
tondeeur 20 woolen cloth shearer
tounelier 70 cooper
tourneeur 12 wood/metal turner
treffilier 8 brass/iron wire maker
trencheeur 7 weaver
tripier 3 tripe butcher/seller
trompeeur 3 trumpeteer
trumelier 1 type of armor maker
tuilier 12 tile maker
uilier 39 uiliere 4 cooking oil
uissier 7 uissiere 1 doorman; door maker
vachier 8 vachiere 2 cow feeder
vallet 53 personal/court/royal attendant
vaneeur 1 grain winnower
vanetier 1
vanier 4 basket-maker
ventrier 0 ventriere 2 midwife
verrier 10 verriere 7 glassmaker
vigneron 2 wine grower
vinetier 4 wine seller
vintre 1 jailer
virolier 3 ferrule maker
voiturier d'yaue 1 carrier of/by water
ymagier 23 ymagiere 1 painter/sculpturer
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